RAYZA BLANCO
Falls Church,VA
Summary
Senior immigration paralegal experienced in supporting complex USCIS and EOIR matters. Skilled in managing high-volume caseloads, mentoring legal support staff, and implementing workflow improvements that enhance case organization and team efficiency. Recognized for providing compassionate, client-centered service, building trust through clear communication and attentive support throughout the immigration process.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Bilingual Immigration Paralegal
Fayad Law
02.2023 - Current
- Assisted EOIR attorneys with all aspects of the removal defense process, ensuring cases are well-prepared and deadlines are met.
- Navigated complex legal issues related to asylum claims, deportation defense, and adjustment of status processes for successful outcomes.
- Monitored immigration law developments and procedural changes to improve client service quality and case outcomes.
- Supervised, trained, and mentored 5-7 legal assistants by developing workflow guides, quality-control procedures and task delegation systems.
- Improved document organization by implementing a comprehensive file management system for easy access to essential case materials.
- Edited and proofread legal documents to verify accuracy.
- Communicated directly with clients to gather supporting evidence, provide case updates, and guide them through their legal process.
- Track and manage hearing dates, filing deadlines, and court schedules to prevent delays in cases.
- Conduct legal research to support attorneys in complex immigration matters.
- Prepared affidavits, waivers, translations, and asylum requests for ongoing cases.
- Translated legal documents from Spanish to English.
- Reduced attorney workload by drafting routine legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- Ensured compliance with court rules and procedures by accurately preparing and submitting legal filings within established timeframes.
Senior Paralegal
Motion Law
07.2021 - 02.2023
- Prepared affidavits, waivers, translations and asylum requests for ongoing cases.
- Responsible for preparing various immigration applications, petitions, and benefits with USCIS, EOIR, NVC, and U.S. Consulates.
- Identified potential issues and concerns and proactively escalated to manager to reduce barriers.
- Prepared EOIR legal pleadings, motions, papers, and proposed orders.
- Drafted various EOIR motions and supplements.
- Assisted clients with immigration application completion to improve timeliness of case review and disposition.
- Corresponded with current and prospective clients to obtain information and enable effective case development.
- Compiled client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Monitored immigration law developments and procedural changes to improve client service quality and case outcomes.
- Created and managed processes and procedures to coordinate documentation for visa processing on immigrant and non-immigrant applications.
- Provided United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with information about case changes or problems.
Legal Assistant
Leyruta PLLC
02.2018 - 05.2020
- Managed assigned cases and worked closely with Attorneys and clients to meet deadlines.
- Responsible for complete preparation and filing of different immigration waivers with USCIS.
- Submitted responses to USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) requests in a timely manner.
- Translated legal documents from Spanish to English.
- Prepared asylum applications and supplements for attorneys' review to file at EOIR and asylum offices.
- Researched, obtained, and organized civil documents, country reports, immigration regulation, and procedure for clients’ cases.
- Managed client payment accounts, observing confidentiality and extreme discretion.
- Advocated and communicated with clients regarding case status and immigration procedures.
- Interpreted for clients at their asylum/USCIS interviews.
Volunteer Interpreter
Legal Services of Northern
07.2015 - 08.2019
- Assisted and facilitated Spanish-English translation of person-to-person conversations between attorney and client.
- Conducted Spanish to English translations of business documents.
- Provided oral translations and interpretations for clients during meetings and events, successfully maintaining pace with native speakers to deliver real-time comprehension.
- Provided cultural input to speakers to help parties who did not speak similar languages communicate with and understand one another.
- Attended training programs to improve professional knowledge and interpretation skills.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
Paralegal
Law Office, Faize Rasul
12.2016 - 01.2018
- Prepared various USCIS immigration forms.
- Administered case management including maintaining attorneys’ calendars, monitoring deadlines, updating and reporting cases.
- Translated legal documents from Spanish to English.
- Created and reviewed legal documents and correspondence.
- Interpreted consultations and interviews between client and attorneys.
- Contacted local courts and detention centers.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Accurately handled data entry for clients into company- based software.
- Communicated with clients, opposing counsel and court personnel to keep all parties informed on case updates.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Administration of Justice
University of The District of Columbia
Washington, DC05-2020
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA05-2017
Skills
- Case management
- Legal Document Composition
- Analytical skills
- Legal Research
- Immigration inquiries
- Electronic Court Document filing
- Client relations and customer service skills
- Continuous Process Improvement
- MyCase, INSZoom, Docketwise, LawLogix, Office Suite, and Adobe Pro
Certification
Notary Public
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Bilingual Immigration Paralegal
Fayad Law
02.2023 - Current
Senior Paralegal
Motion Law
07.2021 - 02.2023
Legal Assistant
Leyruta PLLC
02.2018 - 05.2020
Paralegal
Law Office, Faize Rasul
12.2016 - 01.2018
Volunteer Interpreter
Legal Services of Northern
07.2015 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Administration of Justice
University of The District of Columbia
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Northern Virginia Community College