Experience

• 

  U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Section Chief

    • Nov 2023 - Present

  • Supervisory Asylum Officer

    • May 2022 - Nov 2023

  • Asylum Officer

    • Aug 2019 - May 2022

• 

  Aguirre Frankl Law Firm

  • Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

  • Managing Partner

    • Sep 2014 - Jul 2019
    • Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

    My mission is to provide quality legal services and passionate advocacy to my clients, primarily in the area of immigration and nationality law. The U.S. Immigration system is too often unnecessarily complex and difficult to navigate, and my goal is to bridge this gap and provide individuals in need of an advocate the representation they deserve. To that end, consultations are always offered free of charge.I provide a wide range of legal representation for immigration issues, including but not limited to Removal/Deportation Defense; Asylum, Withholding of Removal and Protection Pursuant to the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”); Family-based Immigration; Non-immigrant Visas; Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”); U Visas for Victims of Crimes; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) and Naturalization/Citizenship.

• 

  Illinois Advocates, LLC

  • Chicago, IL

  • Associate Attorney

    • Jul 2013 - Jun 2014
    • Chicago, IL

    Primarily concentrated on immigration law, including removal defense, adjustment of status, consular process, and naturalization. Also handled consumer rights cases and real estate transactions.

• 

  Solis Law Firm, P.C.

  • Associate Attorney

    • Oct 2012 - Jul 2013

    Represented clients in removal proceedings before Immigration Judges, seeking cancellation of removal, asylum, withholding of removal, voluntary departure, or adjustment of status.Counseled and represented clients with family based immigration procedures, such as consular process and inadmissibility waivers, U visas, naturalization, adjustment of status, and deferred action for childhood arrivals. Wrote I-601 waiver briefs, U-Visa petitions, and Prosecutorial Discretion Memorandum.Appeal cases to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

• 

  Chicago Public Schools

  • Greater Chicago Area

  • Law Clerk, Labor Department

    • Jan 2012 - May 2012
    • Greater Chicago Area

    Investigated employee discipline cases, interviewed witnesses, and where proper, prepared the Board’s case in chief to present in an administrative termination hearing on behalf of the CEO of the Board.

• 

  DePaul University College of Law

  • Research Assistant to Professor Jeffrey Shaman

    • Aug 2011 - May 2012

    Conducted research regarding First Amendment Free Speech laws as applied to electronic communications and social media online.

• 

  Loevy & Loevy

  • Summer Associate

    • May 2011 - Aug 2011

    Wrote legal research memoranda regarding civil rights claims and the ensuing litigation. Conducted extensive research on both state and federal law issues arising in Section 1983 cases. Drafted pre-trial and discovery motions, and assisted in client preparation for trial.

• 

  Michael V. Connolly, Ltd.

  • Law Clerk

    • Jan 2011 - May 2011

    Managed attorney’s case files, wrote and edited motions, answers, subpoenas, and responses to discovery requests in personal injury cases, probate, and real estate cases. Assisted with client interviews and legal research.

• 

  Center for Disability and Elder Law

  • Volunteer

    • Jan 2010 - Jun 2010

    Provided step-by-step assistance to pro se individuals seeking to obtain adult guardianship over a disabled person, guiding applicants through process of filing a petition and scheduling a hearing for guardianship proceedings.

• 

  Illinois Legal Aid Online

  • Summer Intern

    • 2010 - 2010

    Created legal content for the Pro Se websites and maintained and updated existing content. Assisted pro se clients via the organization’s Live-Chat service.

• 

  Wicked Wine Imports

  • Administrative Assistant

    • Jul 2008 - May 2009

    Assisted with all aspects of wine importation, from preparation of monthly tax forms to attaining approval of wine labels from federal and state government agencies.

• 

  Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF)

  • Intern

    • Jan 2008 - Jun 2008

    Produced the Spring 2008 HBIF Entrepreneur, the organization's quarterly newsletter, in addition to assisting with event-planning and database upkeep.

• 

  Citizenship Foundation

  • Mock Trial Division Assistant

    • Sep 2007 - Dec 2007

    Assisted the Competitions Division of this non profit organization with the organizing of Bar Mock Trial events throughout the country. Maintained databases and mediated between all parties involved to ensure events ran smoothly.

• 

  Stockton Turner & Associates/Tom Powell Group

  • Research Assistant

    • Apr 2006 - Aug 2007

    Collected data for recruiters, created profiles on candidates, conducted phone interviews, maintained databases (ACT software).