Samuel J. Tiranno began his Immigration career in April 1973 working in the Buffalo District Office of the legacy Immigration & Naturalization Service (“INS”).  Appointed Immigration Inspector in May 1975, Mr. Tiranno was assigned to the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY.  Mr. Tiranno worked “on the front line” as an Immigration Inspector until January 1989, when the United States and Canada entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).  At that time, Mr. Tiranno was promoted to Free Trade Officer and was sent to Washington, DC and St. Albans, VT for extensive training relating to the new agreement.  During this time, Mr. Tiranno learned in-depth adjudication procedures for various employment-based visa categories including the L-1 (Intra-company Transferees) and TN (Trade NAFTA), a new classification initiated under the FTA.

Returning to Buffalo, NY after training, Mr. Tiranno was recognized throughout the U.S. as a highly professional and expert Free Trade Officer, who routinely met with Immigration attorneys from the Buffalo Area, as well as developed a professional relationship with attorneys across the U.S.  During his time as Free Trade Officer at the Peace Bridge, Mr. Tiranno inspected on average 75 – 80 applicants per week for TN status and 35-50 applicants per week for L-1 status.  He became proficient in inspecting applicants, reviewing corporate documents and adjudicating work applications.