Born near San Francisco, Jennifer’s family story is a vibrant tapestry of immigration and resilience. Her mother’s family emigrated from El Salvador in the 1960s, while her father’s Greek ancestors passed through Ellis Island in New York in the 1930s before settling in California. Inspired by her family’s justice-oriented background and her multicultural heritage, Jennifer chose a career dedicated to helping people build new lives in the United States.

Jennifer enjoys exploring technology, hiking in the great outdoors, delving into sci-fi novels, listening to music, and discussing political theories. Recently, she’s embarked on a new adventure in the kitchen, exploring the art of cooking for the first time. She’s excited to experiment with flavors and techniques as she discovers her inner chef.

Born near San Francisco, Jennifer’s family story is a vibrant tapestry of immigration and resilience. Her mother’s family emigrated from El Salvador in the 1960s, while her father’s Greek ancestors came through Ellis Island in the 1930s before putting down roots in California. Inspired by this multicultural heritage and a strong justice-oriented family tradition, Jennifer dedicated her legal career to helping individuals and families build new lives in the United States.

Following the permanent closure of Grace Immigration PLLC, Jennifer is taking time to reflect on broader social, economic, and historical shifts. She is also exploring ways to support other organizations through technology-forward consultation, including projects involving artificial intelligence and data analysis.

Outside of her legal work, Jennifer enjoys:

• exploring emerging technologies and the intersection of law, ethics, and AI

• hiking in the great outdoors, especially coastal and mountain trails

• reading science fiction and speculative fiction

• discovering new music across a wide range of genres

• discussing political and social theory with friends

• recently diving into cooking, where she’s learning to experiment with fresh flavors and creative recipes

History of Grace Immigration (Formerly Virginia Immigration Law Center)

Jennifer Grace Smyrnos launched the Virginia Immigration Law Center (VAILC) in February 2015 in Roanoke, Virginia. As a solo practitioner, she built the practice from a one-room office with just a desk and a handful of chairs, handling every aspect of the firm herself — from legal work to administration.

Rooted in her own family’s immigrant heritage and deep sense of public service, Jennifer dedicated the firm to representing individuals and families navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. The practice grew steadily from those early days, first through the help of remote assistants and later expanding to a close-knit local team. By its busiest years, Grace Immigration handled hundreds of active cases each year, spanning deportation defense, family petitions, humanitarian protections, naturalization, and work permits.

In 2019, the firm consolidated its team in a downtown Roanoke office, supporting clients across Virginia and beyond with a small but highly committed group of legal staff. At its peak, Grace Immigration was managing more than 300 ongoing matters, balancing a heavy caseload with a sense of camaraderie and purpose that kept the office grounded. Jennifer led the firm through the political turbulence of multiple federal administrations, continuing to advocate for clients during a time of historic immigration policy shifts. Despite these challenges, the firm stayed true to its mission: to help people build more secure, stable lives in the United States.

In March 2025, Grace Immigration PLLC permanently closed. Jennifer stepped away from the practice of law, citing the destructive impact of Trump-era immigration policies and their ongoing consequences for clients, communities, and the profession itself. Across 12 years in immigration law — nearly 10 of those running her own practice — Jennifer has remained guided by a commitment to fairness, equity, and the protection of human dignity. Today, this website remains available as a resource center, reflecting Jennifer’s dedication to making immigration knowledge accessible even beyond the active life of the firm.