Leonel Baza-Popoca

· Served as a technical expert on issues related to immigration detention, including conditions of detention and DHS policies and procedures.

· Prepared reports and maintained records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinate the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the regional director.

· Reviewed individual cases, researched legal and factual issues, and engaged directly with ICE-ERO, CBP-OFO and USBP to resolve cases.

· Communicated with DHS components and deal with complex and sensitive inquiries.

· Trained or arranged for the training of team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects and provide or arrange for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.

· Presented findings and recommendations to division leadership on complex issues or problems impacting the development and success of our regional operations.

· Coached the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, provided advice on work methods, practices, and procedures, and assisted the team and/or individual members in identifying a viable solution.

· Collected data, analyzed information, prepared reports, presented studies, and made recommendations.

· Collected case data, performed analyses and evaluations, from other divisions to evaluate trends to determine whether existing or proposed programs or policies accomplish department objectives.

· Developed reports, issue papers, and identified existing or potential problem areas, trends, and significant program deficiencies.

· Enhanced operations through stakeholder outreaches and engagement by achieving mutual partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the agency's mission.

· Made recommendations to change laws, regulations, policies, and procedures within DHS.

· Served as an expert advisor on law, policies.

· Assisted individuals applying for immigration benefits that included analyzing documents for authenticity.

· Granted or denied complex and highly sensitive applications and petitions for immigration benefits based on electronic or paper applications/petitions.

· Researched, interpreted, and applied appropriate statutes, regulations, and precedent decisions to make adjudicative decisions.

· Independently analyzed immigration laws, policies, and precedent decisions

· Served as a senior and expert analyst on issues related to immigration and immigration detention applying detention provisions of the immigration and nationality act (INA) and case related to immigration detention.

· Administered immigration benefits and services including, citizenship application, family, and employment-based petitions.

· Safeguard national security in the adjudications of immigration benefits; and ensured the integrity of the immigration system.

· Interpreted and applied knowledge of legal statutes, codes, regulation, administrative guidelines, and policy affecting operations of court/immigration procedures.

· Conducted investigations and interviews to pursue illegal immigrants with falsified information on applications for asylum, visas, or citizenship.

· Collected, analyzed information, prepared reports.

· Engaged with diverse communities to coordinate engagement efforts for the purpose of learning issues or concerns.

· Provided technical assistance to staff in locating, generating, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing, and provided required case information to judges and immigration officials.

· Conducted public outreaches to local communities.

· Carried out public communication requirements inherent to dissemination policies and decisions and developed materials that inform appropriate organizations and staff about USCIS’s activities, plans, policies, programs, and services.

· Produced and disseminated brochures, newsletters, of an effective outreach program.

· Served as an outreach coordinator at the field office.

· Assisted in the preparation of legal case file materials by writing reports, drafting responses to request information to gather information.

· Provided technical assistance to staff in locating, generating, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing, and providing required case information to Judges.

· Provided oversight of legal court processes

· Analyzed documents to ensure all correspondence and notices are included in administrative legal case files for hearings.

· Served as a courtroom coordinator.

· Processed motions, petitions, and other legal documentation

· Prepared and sent legal correspondence and legal documents to the appropriate party.

· Coordinated processing court related actions during court proceedings by generating, pulling, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing, and providing required case files.

· Generate, assemble, and provide required case files to the immigration Judge.

· Performed wide variety of administrative tasks related to master calendar hearings, first appearance of the alien/respondent before an immigration Judge.

· Aided in processing inquiries, legal notices, and calendaring processes and procedures.

· Prepare reports and maintain/edit case-related data and information using an automated information system.

· Provided technical assistance to staff in location, generating, organizing, assembling, cross-referencing, and providing required case information to Judges.

· Worked alongside attorneys, administrative assistants and fellow legal assistants on complex cases and legal processes.

· Handled case files for hearings.