New York immigration lawyer Emine Şahin Karakaşlıoğlu to lead CHP’s new US organization

Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appointed New York-based immigration attorney Emine Şahin Karakaşlıoğlu to head its new organization in the United States, with a general assembly planned within six months.

Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is reorganizing its presence in the United States under a new name. New York immigration attorney Emine Şahin Karakaşlıoğlu has been appointed to lead the party’s new U.S. structure under an assignment dated Oct. 7, 2026, according to the community outlet Amerikalı Türkler.

Karakaşlıoğlu has been tasked with organizing party activities across the U.S. and preparing the election of a new leadership. The provisional team also includes Zeki Yeşilyurt, Sediye Yalçın, Burcu Yıldız Yenigün, Deniz Gündüz Vangilder and Kebire Kayabaş.

General assembly within six months

CHP headquarters in Ankara (archive)

The first major goal is to hold a general assembly with the participation of members within the next six months. Under Karakaşlıoğlu, the party aims to become more active not only in New York but also in other states with large Turkish communities.

A member of the Istanbul Bar for about 15 years, Karakaşlıoğlu earned her law degree at Yeditepe University and an LL.M. in American law, magna cum laude, from Touro Law Center. She runs Karakaslioglu Law Firm in Manhattan, focusing on investor and employment-based immigration, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.