Immigration cases keep Crouse on track

Listen to this article

There aren’t too many planes, but there definitely are many trains and automobiles in Ben Crouse’s life.

As an immigration attorney, he’s frequently in transit, most often taking the Hiawatha to Chicago to represent clients in immigration court.

Every time, it’s a homecoming of sorts for him. Crouse clerked for that court for two years after law school. He commuted daily, and on the train he came to know virtually every Milwaukee-area immigration attorney. The networking en route is how he landed his position with Grzeca Law Group SC.

Crouse said he enjoys the dynamic nature of immigration law and the profound difference it makes in peoples’ lives. For example, recently he was struggling to help a client stay in the U.S. Then the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion striking DOMA.

“It’s kind of an exciting case to be involved with,” he said, “because it might be one of the first ones in Wisconsin to get permanent residence based on a same-sex marriage.”

Another fairly recent change in immigration law brought much windshield time for Crouse, a Marquette University Law School grad.

Last summer, after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, he put thousands of miles on his car, driving to rural communities throughout the state and often partnering with local nonprofits to give seminars on the new policy.

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

Part of me wishes I’d followed the history professor route, so I could write without the pressure of a court deadline and about topics a little more of your own choosing instead of what a client has hired you to write about.

What song is on heavy rotation on your iPod?

That changes a lot, but right now, Tyler Farr, ‘Redneck Crazy.’ I love country music.

What do you miss most about your childhood?

Being around my siblings. I’m a triplet. It was fun, but it was very often hard on one of us, because the other two would gang up on the other one. (Laughs)

What is the best part of your job?

The occasional wins. Even the smallest wins can be so satisfying.

What is the hardest part of your job?

Managing clients’ expectations and keeping them informed about something that’s very complicated

What famous person you would most like to have a drink with?

Reggie Miller

What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?

Brewery tours

What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

Running, reading, kayaking and biking

What was your favorite toy as a child?

I played with Hot Wheels a lot with my brothers.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being surrounded by friends and family and having no obligations