Counsel to the Firm
Areas of Practice
Margaret Stock focuses her practice on immigration and citizenship law. She is a nationally known expert on immigration and national security laws, and has testified regularly before Congressional committees on immigration, homeland security, and military matters. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Military Police, U.S. Army Reserve, Margaret has extensive experience with U.S. military issues. For her groundbreaking work developing programs to better the lives of immigrants and native-born military personnel, Margaret was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (also known as a ‘genius grant’) in 2013.
She has also worked as a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Alaska. Margaret served as a member of the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration from 2008-2012. She regularly authors articles on military-related immigration issues, and is well-versed on “parole in place” for military family members and the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (“MAVNI”) Program. Margaret authored the book Immigration Law & the Military, which was published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2012.
Professional Experience
- Department of Political Science, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Adjunct Instructor (2010-2012)
- Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University, Visiting Fellow (2009)
- United States Military Academy at West Point
- Department of Social Sciences, Associate Professor (Reservist) (2006-2010)
- Department of Law, Associate Professor (2004-2006)
- Department of Law, Assistant Professor (2001-2004)
- Stock & Moeller, LLC, Partner (1998-2001)
- Atkinson, Conway & Gagnon, Associate (1992-1998)
Admitted to Practice
- Alaska
- U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Academics
- U.S. Army War College (Masters of Strategic Studies, 2006)
- Harvard Kennedy School of Government (M.P.A., 2001)
- Harvard Law School (J.D., with honors, 1992)
- Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges (A.B., with honors in Government, 1985)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
- Business
- Immigration
Representative Matters and Clients
- State of Alaska, Dep’t of Revenue v. Martha Andrade, 23 P.3d 58 (Alaska 2001) class action, equal protection.
TV/Radio Interviews
- “First Steps on Immigration Reform? The Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2013,” The Federalist Society podcast (May 21, 2013)
- “Marine Veteran Faces Deportation,” Alaska KTVA Channel 11 news broadcast (February 21, 2013)
- “Military Accessions Vital to National Interest Program (‘MAVNI’),” Immigration Advocates Network podcast (January 30, 2013)
- “US Army Barters Citizenship for Language Skills,” Interviewed by Public Radio International’s “The World” radio segment (December 17, 2012)
- “Opinion: Mia Love and Mother Jones — Utah Republican Candidate for Congress, Mia Love, and Her Parent’s Immigration to U.S.,” Mentioned in Wall Street Journal Live (September 27, 2012)
Publications
- “Sessions Amendment Would Harm Military Families,” The Hill’s Congress Blog (May 20, 2013)
- “Iowa Raids Help Shape Immigration Debate,” USA Today, Quoted (May 9, 2013)
- “Through the Obstacle Course of Immigration, Many Paths to Citizenship,” NBCNews.com, Quoted (April 10, 2013)
- “Bill Would Apply Immigration Status to Alaska Drivers Licenses,” Anchorage Daily News, Quoted (April 7, 2013)
- “MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest): Noncitizens May Bypass the Green Card Process and Earn U.S. Citizenship for Military Service,” LexisNexis Emerging Issues Analysis (March 2013)
- “New Legislation to Help Active Duty Soldiers and Veterans Expedite Citizenship of Family Members, Protect Them From Deportation,” Lake County News (March 2, 2013)
- “US Army Offers Citizenship Track for Needed Skills,” Associated Press, Quoted (February 28, 2013)
- “Bill Would Slow U.S. Veteran Deportations,” Military.Com, Quoted (February 21, 2013)
- “Path to Citizenship: Undocumented Veterans Who Served Honorably May Still be Eligible for Citizenship,” Bender’s Immigration Bulletin, Co-author (February 15, 2013)
- “Deportation Case Dropped Against Veteran; Citizenship Application Pending,” Lake County News, Quoted (February 12, 2013)
- “Veteran Faces Potential Deportation Due to Tougher Immigration Law Interpretation,” Lake County News, Quoted (February 9, 2013)
- “Immigration Status Dashes Vally Man’s Military Dreams,” The Fresno Bee, Quoted (January 25, 2013)
- “Join the Army, Speak a Language and Become a Citizen,” PRI’s The World, Quoted (December 17, 2012)
- “Path to Citizenship — Undocumented Veterans Who Served Honorably May Still be Eligible for Citizenship,” Los Angeles Lawyer, Co-author (November 2012)
- “Pentagon Reopens Program Allowing Immigrants With Special Skills to Enlist,” New York Times, Quoted (October 27, 2012)
- “Immigration Questions Not Answered by Debate,” San Antonio Express-News, Quoted (October 17, 2012)
- “Romney Has a Visa Problem,” New York Times’ The Editorial Page Blog, Quoted (October 2, 2012)
- “Romney Says He Would Honor Immigration Reprieves Granted by Obama,” New York Times’ The Caucus Blog, Quoted (October 2, 2012)
- “Questions Linger About Immigration of Mia Love’s Parents,” Daily Herald, Quoted (September 30, 2012)
- “Mia Love’s Immigrant Story May be True, But Some Questions Still Linger,” The Salt Lake Tribune, Quoted (September 28, 2012)
- “Mia Love May be Right About Her Family’s Immigration History,” Forbes, Quoted (September 28, 2012)
- “Illegal Immigrants, Not so Illegal: Near-Americans Yearning to Stay in America,” Chicago Tribune, Quoted (August 19, 2012)
- “Seafood Industry to Lose Foreign Student Workers,” Anchorage Press, Quoted (July 26, 2012)
- “A Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Military Family Members,” Westlaw Immigration Briefings (July 2012)
- “It’s Not Exactly Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” New York Times’ Five Thirty Eight Blog, Quoted (July 18, 2012)
- “Lawsuit by 5 Born in American Samoa Seeks US Citizenship by Virtue of Birth in the Territory,” Associated Press, Quoted (July 12, 2012)
- “The Court Throws Arizona a Tough Bone to Chew,” Supreme Court of the United States blog (June 27, 2012)
- “Next Stop for Arizona Immigration Law: Back to the Courts?” MSNBC, Quoted (June 25, 2012)
- “Shift Leads to Confusion on Status Within the Military,” The Boston Globe, Quoted (June 23, 2012)
- “Immigration Officials Unprepared With Rules for Policy,” San Antonio Express-News, Quoted (June 18, 2012)
- “Sub-regulatory Guidance in Immigration Matters: How to Use it Wisely,” American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Immigration Practice Pointers handbook (June 2012)
- “Practical Problems with Attempts to Change the Fourteenth Amendment Through an Interstate Birth Certificate Compact,” Bender’s Immigration Bulletin (May 1, 2012)
- “Traffic Stop Highlights Arizona Law,” The Wall Street Journal, Quoted (May 5, 2012)
- “Supreme Court to Hear Arizona Immigration Case: Who Wins, Loses?” MSNBC, Quoted (April 24, 2012)
- Immigration Law and the Military, American Immigration Lawyers Association (April 2012)
- “Is Birthright Citizenship Good for America?” Cato Journal (Winter 2012)
- “Immigration Crackdown Also Snares Americans,” New York Times, Quoted (December 13, 2011)
- “The Database — In the Mackenzie Cowell Murder case, Homeland Security Displays its Ever-Growing Cache of Personal Info,” The Wenatchee World, Quoted (November 23, 2011)
- “The Hidden Hand — In Local Police Investigations, Homeland Security Takes an Unexpected Role,” The Wenatchee World, Quoted (November 22, 2011)
- “The Lessons of 9/11 and Immigration: Some Progress, Many Missed Opportunities, and a Long Way To Go,” Penn State Law’s program “The 9/11 Effect and its Legacy on U.S. Immigration Laws,” (September 16, 2011)
- “American Bar Rebuffs Changes to Citizenship Clause,” The Alaska Bar Rag newspaper (September 2011)
- “Restrictionist Group Strikes Out in Latest Report on Children of Diplomats,” Immigration Impact blog (July 28, 2011)
- “Arizona v. United States: The Tail Wagging the Dog on Regulating Immigration Enforcement,”Supreme Court of the United States blog (July 14, 2011)
- “Immigration Law Provision Pardons Immigrant Spouses of US Soldiers,” Texas Public Radio, Quoted (July 7, 2011)
- “The Innovators of America’s Future: DREAM Students,” California Progress Report, Quoted (July 6, 2011)
- “Editorial: A path to citizenship,” Daily News, Quoted (July 5, 2011)
- “S.B. 1070: The Unconstitutional and Inefficient Law That May Just Fix Immigration,” Regent University Law Review (July 2011)
- “Rahm Emanuel, Arne Duncan Trumpet DREAM Act Despite Political Barriers,” Huffington Post, Quoted (June 27, 2011)
- “Parole in Place for Military Families,” American Immigration Lawyers Association, Immigration Practice Pointers 2011-2012 Edition (June 2011)
- “Recent Developments in Military Enlistment & Naturalization Law,” Immigration Briefings No. 11-03 (March 2011)
- “Arizona’s Attempt to Enforce Federal Immigration Law: ‘Force Multiplier,’ or ‘Ball and Chain’?” Engage: The Journal of the Federalist Society’s Practice Groups, Pg. 75-79, (November 2010)
- “Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military, Eight Years After 9/11,” Special Report, Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Council (November 2009)
- “Policy Arguments in Favor of Retaining America’s Birthright Citizenship Law,” Made in America: Myths & Facts About Birthright Citizenship, Immigration Policy Center Perspectives (September 2009)
- Professionals: A Matter of Degree (5th ed.), American Immigration Lawyers Association, Co-author (2009)
- “Advanced Issues in Naturalization: Practical Problems & Solutions,” Immigration & Nationality Law Handbook, Pg. 607-617 (2008-2009)
- “National Security & Immigration Policy: Reclaiming Terms, Measuring Success & Setting Priorities,” The Homeland Security Review, Vol. 1, No. 3, Co-author (Fall 2007)
Speaking Engagements
- “Immigration Law,” LexisNexis “Meet the Experts” segment (June 29, 2013)
- “Use of False Documents: How It Can Complicate a Case,” American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Annual Conference, Co-presenter (June 29, 2013)
- “Citizenship in a Global Era: A Report From Rome,” and “Employer Verification Obligations,” 10th Annual Federal Bar Association (May 17-18, 2013)
- “Immigration Reform,” Republican National Lawyers Association’s National Policy Conference (April 26, 2013)
- “Compliance Strategies for General Counsels and Other Corporate Officers: Avoiding Fines, Headlines, Litigation and Jail Time,” 3rd Annual Stanford Law School Worksite Immigration Compliance Symposium (April 19, 2013)
- “The Republican Case for Immigration Reform,” Anchorage Republican Women’s Club Luncheon (March 14, 2013)
- “First Steps on Immigration Reform? The Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2013,” The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies Conference Call, Co-presenter (February 8, 2013)
- “Immigration Issues for Military Family Members: Parole in Place,” American Immigration Lawyers Association, Colorado Chapter CLE Webinar
- “Labor & Employment: Arizona v. United States: Immigration Policy & the Economy,” 2012 National Lawyers Convention, Panelist (November 15, 2012)
- “The Path to Citizenship for Military Family Members,” American Immigration Lawyers Association California Chapters Conference (November 10, 2012)
- “Be All That You Can Be: Military Issues for the Immigration Lawyer,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Fall Joint Chapter Conference (November 3, 2012)
- “Supporting Our Troops — How Interagency Coordination Helps Members of the Military and Their Families,” Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman’s 2012 Annual Conference, Panelist (October 18, 2012)
- “Expedited Citizenship & Preserving Continuity of Residence,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Rome Chapter Fall Conference (October 5, 2012)
- “How Employers Can Use U.S. Immigration Laws to Their Advantage,” 74th Annual Northwest Human Resource Management Association Conference and Tradeshow (October 2, 2012)
- “Immigration, Race and Incarceration,” 2012 American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Moderator (August 5, 2012)
- “Arizona v. United States: Enforcing Immigration Laws,” The Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Practice Group Teleforum (June 26, 2012)
- “The Role of Sub-Regulatory Guidance: How to Use It Wisely,” American Immigration Lawyers Annual Conference, Panel Discussion Leader (June 14, 2012)
- “Citizenship in a Global Era,” Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Section Conference (May 25, 2012)
- “Arizona v. United States Litigation Update,” The Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Practice Group Teleforum (April 27, 2012)
- “American Birthright Citizenship Rules and the Exclusion of ‘Outsiders,’” “Citizenship-in-Question: Evidentiary Challenges for Jus Soli and Autochthony, from Authenticité to ‘Birtherism’ Conference” (April 20, 2012)
- “Immigration 101 for Alaska Human Resource Managers,” Anchorage Society for Human Resource Managers (March 27, 2012)
- “Immigration Issues Related to Military Service,” New York Immigration Coalition, Immigrant Concerns Training Institute (March 21, 2012)
- “Parole in Place — The Real Deal or Just More Fiction From Great Expectations,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Military Assistance Program Webinar (March 20, 2012)
- “Tax and Expatriation Issues, American Immigration Lawyers Association Northwest Continuing Legal Education Conference, Discussion Leader (March 16, 2012)
- “Is Military Justice to Justice as Military Music is to Music?” Saint Thomas University School of Law (March 12, 2012)
- “Challenges Facing California and the Western States,” The Federalist Society’s Sixth Annual Western Conference, Panelist (January 28, 2012)
- “Naturalizing Military Personnel,” Immigration Advocates Network Podcast (January 17, 2012)
- “Immigration Compliance: Guiding Your Way Through the Web of Immigration Laws,” Lane Powell Seminar, Seattle (December 6, 2011)
- “Birthright Citizenship and the 14th Amendment: Facts, Consequences and Policy Considerations,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Convention, Panelist (November 18, 2011)
- “Breaching Borders: State Encroachment into the Federal Immigration Domain?” Washburn University School of Law’s Symposium (October 21, 2011)
- “Immigration Issues Related to U.S. Military Service,” Washington State Chapter American Immigration Lawyers Association (October 3, 2011)
- “Security and Sovereignty Issues and Challenges: A Circumpolar Snapshot,” Northern Transportation Conference 2011: Circumpolar Challenges and Opportunities,” (September 20, 2011)
- “Immigration and National Security,” Penn State Immigration Symposium, Panelist (September 17, 2011)
- “The Battle over Birthright Citizenship: History, International Perspectives, and the Path Ahead Showcase Program,” American Bar Association 2011 Toronto Annual Meeting (August 4, 2011)
- “Perimeter Security,” Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University and Seattle Canadian Consulate General of Canada Seminar (June 20, 2011)
- “True Claims to U.S. Citizenship,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Webinar (March 29, 2011)
- “Immigration Issues for Human Resources Professionals,” Anchorage Society of Human Resources Managers (March 22, 2011)
- “The Constitution, the Fourteenth Amendment and Birthright Citizenship: Modern Challenges to a Longstanding Rule,” Symposium on Immigration & Homeland Security Law, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Keynote Speaker (March 3, 2011)
- “The U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, and the Guantanamo Detainees,” Guantanamo and The Response: A Film Screening and Panel Discussion, Alaska Bar Association (December 14, 2010)
- “Immigration, the Arizona Statute, and E Pluribus Unum,” Federalist Society 2010 National Lawyers Convention (November 18, 2010)
- “National Security, Immigration, & the Rule of Law,” American Bar Association Section of International Law 2010 Fall Meeting (November 4, 2010)
- “Birthright Citizenship & the Battle Over Illegal Immigration,” Cato Institute Capitol Hill Briefing (October 25, 2010)
- “Immigration, Citizenship, & Security: The Current Debate,” Hamilton College (October 21, 2010)
- “The Constitution & Citizenship: Modern Day Challenges to the Founders’ Ideals,” Constitution Day Polaris Lecture, University of Alaska Anchorage (September 17, 2010)
- “Military-Related Immigration Issues,” 2010 Joint Services Immigration & Naturalization Symposium, Naval League Service Office Mid-Atlantic (August 27, 2010)
- “Advanced Issues in Citizenship & Naturalization,” American Immigration Lawyers AssociationAnnual Conference, Discussion Leader and Speaker (July 3, 2010)
- “Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest,” USCIS District 23 Military Summit (March 23, 2010)
- “The American Immigration Lawyers Association Military Assistance Program,” American Immigration Lawyers Association (January 19, 2010)
- “From F-1 or J-1 Directly to U.S. Citizenship: The U.S. Army’s MAVNI Pilot Program,” NAFSA Region VIII Conference (November 14, 2009)
- “Immigration Reform: What’s at Stake for the Northern Border,” Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University (November 12, 2009)
- “Immigration Issues in the Workplace,” Fundamentals of Employment Law in Alaska Conference (October 29, 2009)
- “Advanced Issues in Naturalization & Citizenship,” University of Texas 33rd Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law (October 22, 2009)
- “Non-Citizens and the U.S. Military,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Immigration Law, Discussion Leader and Speaker (June 5, 2009)
- “National Security Aspects of Immigration Law,” 17th National Security Law Institute, Center for National Security Law, University of Virginia (June 3, 2009)
- “Policies & Attitudes Towards Immigrant Civic & Political Participation, & Dual Citizenship in the European Union & North America,” Migration Policy Institute, Panelist (May 15, 2009)
Awards and Honors
- Peer Review Rated “AV” in Martindale-Hubbell
- Named as “Alaska Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers magazine, Immigration (2007, 2009)
- Michael Maggio Pro Bono Award, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2008)
- Advocacy Award, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2005)
- Recommended by Who’s Who Legal, Corporate Immigration (2012)
- Military Awards include: The Legion of Merit, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, among others.
Professional and Community Activities
- Alaska Bar Association
- Member, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct Committee (1998-2001)
- Founding Chair, Immigration Law Section
- American Bar Association
- Member, Commission on Immigration (2008-2012)
- Co-chair, Immigration Litigation Committee (2005-2008)
- Co-chair, Joint Subcommittee on International Refugee Law of the Immigration & Naturalization
- Member, International Human Rights Committee (2006-2007)
- Co-chair and Vice Chair, Immigration & Naturalization Committee (2004-2008)
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Member (Present)
- Chair, Border Security Advocacy Committee (2005-2006)
- New York City Bar Association
- Member (Present)
- Chair, International Security Affairs Committee (2006-2010)
- Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy
- Republican National Lawyers Association
- President, Harvard Club of Alaska (2009-2012)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2005-Present)
- Member, Council on Foreign Relations Immigration Policy Task Force (2008)
- Editorial Board, Bender’s Immigration Bulletin (2007-Present)
- Immigration Adjudication Project Working Group, The Administrative Conference of the U.S. (2012)