Immigration professional with over sixteen years of experience and known for delivering high-quality service and achieving positive outcomes. Proven experience in advising clients on immigration policies and procedures. Team-oriented with strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, ensuring reliable support for diverse client needs. Skilled in legal research and case management.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervising DOJ Accredited Representative
Jewish Family Service of San Diego
10.2018 - Current
Porvide direct legal representation to our clients in complex immigration cases, including representation before the various DHS agencies (USCIS, AAO, CBP, BP, ICE, EOIR, and BIA), while helping to support the broader efforts of the our team and maintain an excellent track record of providing immigration legal services.
Provide supervision, staff training, and review of the legal work of accredited representatives (Immigration Specialist) and other team members in the Affirmative Services program who provide direct assistance and legal representation in defensive and affirmative cases, including appeals.
Conduct weekly individual check-ins and case management support with Immigration Specialist and other team members.
Assigning work and providing guidance to Immigration Specialists and other team members on how to prepare cases, conduct legal research, provide guidance and instruction on complex cases, and final review before filing cases.
Provide legal supervision and guidance to other programs staff as needed.
Develop procedures and guidance in coordination with Managing Attorney and Department Directors to promote the our mission and protect potential clients and clients from legal malpractice.
Design, oversee and provide accurate legal orientation, presentations, and education regarding immigration legal rights, and a range of other immigration legal issues faced by members of the low-income immigrant communities in San Diego County.
Stay up to date on rapidly changing immigration laws and policies and ensure all those working on the Affirmative Services program are briefed and operate under the most current up-to-date immigration laws and policies.
Along with Managing Attorney, ensure correct legal analysis and implementation of legal strategies of all complex questions of law related to representation, ineligibility for relief, and the declining of services.
Ensure the team is complying with HR policies and procedures. Participate in program audits (internal and by funders), grant reporting of program and contribute to timely and accurate completion of grant funding applications. Create and maintain a positive teamwork atmosphere within the team and externally.
Coordinated outreach efforts to expand access to community resources.
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Amezola Legal Group, APC
08.2016 - 07.2018
I assisted two attorneys in the representation of clients with cases before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and USCIS
My responsibilities with our removal cases include: meeting with clients to collect data and supporting documents; preparing bond motions; taking our client's declarations and those of their witnesses; preparing all required forms; request all required FOIA's and follow up on the receipt of those records; draft motions as needed; translate evidence from Spanish to English; prepare all initial and supplemental filings with the court; and manage the case to assure the Respondent is in compliance with all the requirements of the court manual and ready for his/her merits hearing
Immigration Paralegal
Aguirre Law Firm, APC
05.2014 - 08.2017
I assisted the attorney with all aspects of representation of clients before the U.S
Immigration Court and the U.S
Citizenship and Immigration Service
In addition to assisting the attorney with all aspects of removal and administrative cases, I was the designated paralegal for the preparation of waivers of inadmissibility in our office
I met with clients immediately after they retained our office to discuss the steps of their case, as well as explained to them the type of documents that were required to support their application
I performed the preparatory work that lead to the filing of the client’s application(s) and followed up with the completion of their case
This included requesting FBI and State DOJ Reports, requesting records of proceedings and CIS files
I prepared all applications and supporting documents to be filed with the Immigration Court, as well as requests for prosecutorial discretion, motions to re-open, motions to administratively close or terminate proceedings
I also prepared less complex procedural motions, such as motions to continue, change of venue, sub-counsel, and to sever or consolidate matters
Immigration Paralegal
Huprich Law Firm, P.C.
12.2011 - 04.2014
I assisted the attorney in the representation of clients in removal proceedings and administrative cases before USCIS
I acted as the client’s primary point of contact for all matters pertaining to the progress of their case and I assisted in facilitating the communication between the client and the attorney
I was also responsible for preparation of motions (custody redetermination, change of venue, motion to withdraw, motion to continue, motion to terminate/admin closure) to be filed with the court, eligibility briefs for waivers of inadmissibility and affirmative asylum applications, and filing covers for complex applications
I requested and reviewed the clients’ record of conviction documents for possible grounds of inadmissibility, bars to relief from removal, as well as possible waivers or post-conviction relief
I also handled the work for all arriving alien cases, re-instatement defense, unaccompanied minor aliens, and family reunification packets
Paralegal/Case Manager
Law Office of Richard Mendez
04.2010 - 11.2011
As the primary paralegal and case manager, I conducted the initial intake with potential clients and gathered all relevant information to prepare a case analysis for the supervising attorney
I calendared all hearings, deadlines, interviews, and meetings
I assigned tasks to be completed by myself, the attorney in charge and other staff members as needed
I was responsible for the case management and completion of the work for all of the removal defense files, which included, drafting motions for attorney review, preparing and filing all applications for relief with the court, and always maintaining the client up to date on hearing dates and upcoming deadlines for further evidence
I managed a separate set of removal cases for respondents who were in detention for clients held in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas
I also handled the work for all arriving alien cases, re-instatement defense, unaccompanied minor aliens, and family reunification packets
Paralegal
Aguirre Law Group
08.2008 - 03.2010
As an entry level assistant, I quickly learned to prepare applications for relief from removal to be filed with the court
Most of the cases assigned to me were cancellation of removal applications, family-based adjustments, and applications for asylum
I also assisted the attorney as an interpreter during new client intakes and existing client meetings
I also prepared all Spanish language correspondence on behalf of the attorney
Education
AA Degree - Paralegal Studies
Kaplan College
San Diego, CA
01.2003
Skills
Empathy and sensitivity
Legal research
Public speaking confidence
Delegation and supervision
Problem solving prowess
Policy analysis
Decision making aptitude
Case management proficiency
Immigration law expertise
Community outreach programs
Multilingual capacity
Written communication expertise
Research and analysis
Policy interpretation
Teamwork and collaboration
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Supervising DOJ Accredited Representative
Jewish Family Service of San Diego
10.2018 - Current
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Amezola Legal Group, APC
08.2016 - 07.2018
Immigration Paralegal
Aguirre Law Firm, APC
05.2014 - 08.2017
Immigration Paralegal
Huprich Law Firm, P.C.
12.2011 - 04.2014
Paralegal/Case Manager
Law Office of Richard Mendez
04.2010 - 11.2011
Paralegal
Aguirre Law Group
08.2008 - 03.2010
AA Degree - Paralegal Studies
Kaplan College
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