Sanam Ghandehari
Board Member

Sanam Ghandehari is the Supervising Attorney at Women for Afghan Women (WAW), overseeing legal services at both the New York and Virginia Community Centers. A New York-licensed attorney, she has been representing immigrants for over five years, specializing in asylum law, family-based immigration, removal defense, and humanitarian relief.

Since joining Women for Afghan Women in March 2022, Sanam has provided high-quality legal representation to more than 6,000 Afghan refugees and asylum seekers before USCIS and immigration courts nationwide, achieving a 100% success and approval rate. Many of her clients, particularly those she represented in the early days following the fall of Kabul, have secured permanent residency and reunited with their families in the U.S.

Sanam is deeply committed to human rights and pro bono legal services, believing that pro bono representation is essential to bridging the gap in the legal system and ensuring fair due process for everyone, regardless of their financial background. Throughout her career, she has primarily represented progressive Afghan women, including former police officers, prosecutors, women’s rights lawyers, and activists, all of whom have faced persecution for their commitment to justice and equality.

Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Sanam earned her Master’s degree in Law from Tehran University before obtaining her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Minnesota Law School. She remains dedicated to advocating for immigrants and ensuring their access to justice.