(L-R) Professor Amy Ramson, Judge Sarjo Barrow, and Félix Sánchez. Barrow received special recognition for his admirable path toward the federal bench.
 
In a powerful demonstration of what’s possible with a degree from Hostos Community College, U.S. Immigration Judge and alumnus, Sarjo Barrow, returned to campus to speak with students about his remarkable journey from The Gambia to the federal bench. The event, organized by Professor of Law Amy Ramson and Alumni Relations Manager Félix Sánchez, offered current students a rare opportunity to connect with an alumnus whose career exemplifies professional excellence, civic responsibility, and the transformative impact of education.
 
“We want our students to see themselves in stories like this,” said Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. “Judge Barrow is not only a source of pride for Hostos, but a shining example of what it means to lead with justice and care. His visit affirms the power of our mission and the strength of our community.”
 
“This event is more than a celebration. It is a blueprint,” said Alumni Relations Manager Félix Sánchez. “It reminds students that they are part of a legacy that includes judges, educators, and leaders. And that their journey is just beginning.”

Judge Barrow, who emigrated from The Gambia as a young adult, recalled his first days riding the 4 train to Hostos, unfamiliar with the American education system and without his immediate family. “When I immigrated, my parents weren’t here. I had no roadmap,” he said. “But Hostos gave me guidance. It gave me purpose.”

The conversation offered insight into Barrow’s life. He also provided advice to students in the audience.
 
His professional journey reflects that same perseverance and purpose. After earning his bachelor’s at John Jay, a law degree from Cooley Law School, and passing the bar, Judge Barrow opened his own immigration practice in Madison, Wisconsin, where he focused on removal defense and family-based immigration. He later joined the firm Lawton & Cates, expanding his practice to federal litigation. In 2019, he was appointed Assistant Chief Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he spent nearly five years representing the government in immigration cases and advancing human rights efforts. In 2024, he was appointed Immigration Judge with the U.S. Department of Justice, based in Hyattsville, Maryland, bringing with him a commitment to fairness, equity, and service.

Originally from The Gambia, Judge Barrow started his career at Hostos, continued his bachelor’s degree at John Jay College, and went to Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

Throughout the conversation, Judge Barrow spoke candidly about the challenge of balancing the emotional weight of cases with the responsibility of upholding the law. “You must have absolute fidelity to the rules, but also empathy,” he said. “You have to understand that people come from different cultural contexts. For example, in my culture, looking elders in the eye is considered disrespectful. That can be misread here. If you don’t ask questions, if you don’t take the time to understand someone’s full story, you risk misjudging them.” His advice to students: “Be aware of those differences. Listen closely. Apply the law, but do it with heart.”
 
Professor Ramson, who taught Barrow in multiple courses in public administration and criminal justice, offered heartfelt remarks during the conversation. “I still remember the moment I saw on LinkedIn that he had become an immigration judge,” she said. “He worked his way up, from being an immigrant student with no safety net, to private practice, to government service in human rights law, and now he sits on the bench. It’s beyond inspiring.”
 
Student Joshua León, a Criminal Justice major at the College, reflected on the impact of the conversation: “It’s very refreshing to know that someone who came from an immigration background like mine and who sat in the same classrooms as me, now serves as a judge. It gives me hope that what I’m doing here can really lead somewhere.”
 
Judge Barrow’s story, forged through perseverance and community, resonated with many in attendance, especially those navigating their own pathways through school, immigration, and professional aspirations. As he spoke, the message was clear: “Hostos was my launching pad, where I understood the world and this country for the first time, and will always be proud to be a product of this College.”
 
After the conversation, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch and networked. The Office of Alumni Relations and the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department organized the event, which was also supported by Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives.