Christopher J. Stender, Esq.

Syracuse University School of Law
1990

Christopher J Stender is the principal at Federal Immigration Counselors of Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.  He graduated in 1990 from Syracuse University School of Law and is licensed by the New York and Connecticut bars, and is a previous member of the Arizona state bar.  He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, First Circuit Court of Appeals, Arizona Federal District Court, Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, and the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Chris is a member of the following professional organizations: Former Vice-President, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AZ Chapter Member; American Immigration Lawyers Association, San Diego & Arizona Chapters Member; Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, AILA, AZ Chapter; Former Member, Immigration Section, State Bar of Arizona.

When not at work, Mr. Stender participates or supports following charitable organizations: Board Member, Foster Care Review Board (FCRB), Grace Point Church, Usher, Audio/Visual, Honduras Mission, Kids Choir, Tijuana Schools Mission, Homeless Outreach, Salvation Army, Cesar Chavez School Mission, Homeless Outreach; YMCA, Florence Immigrant Rights Project (FIRRP); Feed My Starving Children, Red Mountain Christian Center, Adult Bible Study.

With over thirty (30) years’ experience as an immigration litigator, Mr. Stender has argued, written, or mentored the following published immigration law cases: 

• Tapia-Coria v. Garland, (9th Cir. 2024)
• Guzman-Maldonado v. Garland, (9th Cir. 2024)
• Moris Quiroz v. Sessions, No., 13-73967 (9^th Cir. Aug. 29, 2018);
• Pritam Kaur Taggar v. Holder, 736 F.3d 886 (9^th Cir. 2013);
• Vasquez de Alcantar v. Holder, 645 F.3d 1097 (9^th Cir. 2011); 
• Eneh v. Holder, 601 F.3d 943 (9th Cir. 2010); 
• Chawla v. Holder, 599 F.3d 998 (9^th Cir. 2010); 
• Uppal v. Holder, 605 F.3d 712 (9^th Cir. 2010); 
• Trejo-Mejia v. Holder, 593 F.3d 913 (9^th Cir. 2010); 
• Turcios v. Holder, 582 F.3d. 1075, (9^th Cir. 2009), opin. withdrawn, 608 F.3d 491 (9^th Cir. 2010); 
• Escobar v. Holder, 567 F.3d. 466 (9^th Cir. 2009), vacated 572 F. 3d 957 (2009); 
• Marmelejo-Campos v. Mukasey, 519 F.3d 907 (9^th Cir 2008)(en banc); 
• Aragon-Munoz, 520 F.3d 82 (1^st Cr. 2008); 
• Nath v. Gonzales, 467 F.3d 1185 (9^th Cir. 2006); 
• Salvatierra-Cermeno v.  Gonzales, 404 F.3d 1119 (9^th Cir.  2005); 
• Diaz-Ramos v.  Gonzales, 404 F.3d 1118 (9^th Cir.  2005); 
• Martinez-Garcia v. Ashcroft, 366 F.3d 732 (9^th Cir. 2004); 
• Murillo-Espinoza v. INS, 261 F.3d 771 (9th Cir. 2001);  
• Albillo-Figueroa v. INS, 221 F. 3d. 1070 (9^th Cir. 2000); 
• Cardenas-Uriarte v. INS, 227 F. 3d. 1132 (9^th Cir. 2000); 
• Magana-Pizano v. INS, 152 F. 3d. 1213, as amend, 159 F. 3d. 1217, cert. granted, 526 U.S. 1001 (1999); 
• Magana-Pizano v. INS, 200 F. 3d. 603 (9^th Cir. 1999) (Magana II); Lafarga v. INS, 170 F.3d 1213 (9th Cir. 1999); 
• Sebastian-Sebastian v. INS, 195 F.3d 504 (9th Cir. 1999); 
• Kalaw v. INS, 133 F.3d 1147 (9^th Cir. 1997); 
• Mendez-Tapia v. Sonchik, 998 F.Supp. 1105 (Dist. AZ 1998);  
• Matter of Escobar, 24 I&N Dec. 231 (BIA 2007); 
• Matter of A-S-B-, 24 I&N Dec. 493 (BIA 2008); 
• Matter of Andazola-Rivas, 23 I&N Dec. 319 (BIA 2002); Matter of U-M-, 20 I&N Dec. 327 (BIA1991).

Mr. Stender is a married father of 5 wonderful and talented children and resides in the Arcadia area of Phoenix, Arizona.  He enjoys traveling, exercising, reading and a good cigar.  He is fluent in German and conversational in Spanish and has a knowledge of Russian.