We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mercy Gagnon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mercy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Since we last spoke, there have been some changes in my professional life. I have since decided to leave Bienvenidos Law Firm. I am no longer associated with the firm, but I can share the mission behind why I practice immigration law and why it is so important to me. The human impact is the reason I do what I do. Real lives and real families hang in the balance of every immigration case. Whether a husband gets to stay with his wife and children, whether a person persecuted for their sexuality or religious belief can flee and find freedom, and whether families stay together are just some of the things I fight for in Immigration Court, in front of USCIS, and front of the Department of State.

Earlier this year, I called a client to inform her that her case was approved. I worked on that case for two years, starting in Immigration Court and ending at USCIS. Her case being approved means that after six years, she can now work in the United States. She no longer has to worry about being deported, can finish school, and, more importantly, can stay with her husband and two beautiful children. She cried tears of joy. A few days later, she came to the office, picked me and smiled. This is why I do what I do and why it is meaningful to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a licensed immigration lawyer based in the Twin Cities, but I can handle cases nationwide as well as in Africa (Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt), Europe, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. I’m a proud partner and a dog mom who enjoys working out. Originally from Vogan, Togo, I immigrated to the United States about eighteen years ago. My passion for immigration law and international human rights stems from witnessing the suffering of immigrants worldwide and the flagrant violation of women’s and young girls’ basic human rights.

As a licensed immigration attorney, I offer a range of legal services related to immigration law. These include family-based immigration, relief for victims of crime, domestic abuse, or trafficking, residency (conditional or permanent), naturalization/citizenship (if you have been a permanent resident for 5 years or 3 years in certain circumstances), consular processing, and renewal/replacement of residency cards. For instance, if you are a victim of a crime in the U.S., there may be specific immigration protections available to you.

I’m in a strange place in my life right now, haha. Let me explain. As I mentioned before, I recently resigned from the law firm I was working with when we last talked. I felt and still feel really bad about leaving my clients. The toughest part of my job is also the best part – the human impact. What I’m most proud of is that I served all of my clients with all my heart. I gave them my all in handling their cases. Let me share some words from my clients.

“Good luck and thank you for everything. Let me know if you open your own firm.” I got the 2008 Deportation case against this client’s wife dismissed and filed her Permanent Residency application.

“Excellent services Professional staff they help me with my case so good they explained me very clear at every step what’s going to happened with my case and now I am schedule for oath so excited to be US citizen and enjoy the freedom thanks — you guys are true hero.” I helped this client get his U.S. Citizenship after some complications.

“Ohhhh my God MEEEEERCY!!! Am Shaking!! Thank you for this good news, I do really appreciate how you have held us down all the way through, God Bless you my lawyer-turned-sister.” I helped this client get her Permanent Residency after I got her deportation court case dismissed.

“Hello Mercy, how are you doing. I just received a news that you are leaving. I will always remember you make us happy today, me and my husband because of your good work. God Bless you.” I helped this client get her U.S. Citizenship, filed a family-based petition for her husband, and prepared both of them for the consular interview in Africa. Her husband’s Immigrant Visa was approved and he will be in the U.S. soon.

“Hello! Good morning Atty. Mercy, Once again, I would like to say thank you very much for your support, I was so happy finally I am a certified American citizen now.🇺🇸👏 right after the ceremony, I went to see MMS and handed her my certificate to make a copy for your file.” Another U.S. Citizen client had complications earlier with her eligibility.

“Hello, Mercy good morning. I just wish to let you know that my mom is here. She landed this morning and she was given a one-year visa.” I helped this client get her U.S. Citizenship and later helped get her mom a visitor’s visa.

As you can see, I have A LOT to be proud of! I am not able to take every case or help everyone but I do my best to help as much as I can.

Have you ever had to pivot?

This question is so relevant to me right now. My life took a turn in mid-January this year after I received a very unpleasant phone call that left me feeling disrespected, undervalued, and mistreated. The call affected me so much that even my partner got upset. It was then that I realized I needed to make changes in my business, career, and life. Do you remember me mentioning in my first interview that I’m doing exactly what I’ve always wanted to do – practicing immigration and international human rights law?

I was ten years old when my passion first took root in me, so when I started to genuinely dislike going to work, I knew something had to change. I’m a firm believer in the saying “Do what you love and call it work.” So, when I began to hate doing what I love to do because of the environment I was in, I resigned. I refuse to ever be miserable doing the one thing I have the greatest passion for.

Anyone out there, whether a business owner, creative, freelancer, or employee, I hope you find the courage to embark on a new journey, strategy, business, or find a new employer when you find yourself in circumstances that devalue you.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I rely on word of mouth and client referrals. The immigration law community is large, yet small, so my reputation is based solely on the work I have done for my clients and how I treat them. By serving my clients properly and ethically, they tell their friends, family, and communities about me.

Currently, I am very worried about my reputation. I had to leave the firm abruptly, not by choice, and I’m concerned about the clients I wasn’t able to take care of before my departure. I did not have adequate time to inform all my clients that I would be leaving the firm. My only hope is that they do not feel like I abandoned them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peerlesssapiosexual/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbedegbegnon-mercy-gagnon-b-a-j-d-esq-52a4a898/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/fitnesswithmercy/?hl=en