John Lennon with Yoko Ono at ‘You are here’ art exhibition 1 July 1968. (Photo by Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Leon Wildes, the prominent immigration lawyer celebrated for his pivotal role in securing permanent residency for John Lennon in the United States during the 1970s, passed away at 90. Wildes, a graduate of New York University School of Law and co-founder of Wildes & Weinberg in 1960, played a vital role in shaping immigration law.

In 1972, Wildes became involved in a historic legal battle when he was contacted by Alan Kahn, a former law school classmate, to assist John Lennon and Yoko Ono in extending their visas. Despite initial confusion about the couple’s identity, Wildes embarked on what became a dramatic struggle against attempts to deport Lennon, fueled partly by political motivations tied to the musician’s anti-Nixon activism.

The legal journey, marked by government harassment and an eventual INS decision to deny Lennon’s visa extension, reached a turning point when Wildes uncovered a loophole in drug law and brought attention to the government’s “prosecutorial discretion” policy. Lennon’s deportation order was ultimately reversed in October 1975, coinciding with the birth of his son, Sean, and the granting of a green card.

Leon Wildes continued his law practice and taught as an adjunct professor for over 30 years at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. His legacy extends beyond Lennon’s case, influencing immigration policy, as seen in President Obama’s DACA program. Wildes, survived by two children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, leaves behind a remarkable career that reshaped the intersection of law and iconic cultural figures like John Lennon.