El Paso County

• Perform thorough investigations by conducting interviews and analyzing records to gather critical information about clients and their circumstances.
• Develop compelling social history narratives that highlight mitigating factors such as mental health challenges, trauma, or substance abuse.
• Collaborate closely with the defense team to design and implement effective mitigation strategies, prepare detailed supporting documentation, and connect clients with relevant experts and services.
• Establish and maintain strong communication with clients and their families, advocating alternative sentencing options and treatment plans to address underlying issues and minimize the risk of repeated legal involvement.

Mitigation Specialist Public Defender's Office 

•	Conduct factual investigations; gathers evidence related to cases; locates and interviews witnesses; prepares witness statements.
•	Issue subpoenas for witnesses civilian and law enforcement personnel to appear in court, issue subpoenas to businesses for documents/recordings needed in courts that are required by the defense attorneys. Schedules pre-trials for all witnesses as requested by the Defense attorneys. 
•	Secure all evidence needed for trial from the local Law Enforcement Agencies and maintains the chain of evidence for said evidence.
•	Conduct defendant, complainant and witness criminal history and personal background investigations;
•	Serves subpoenas and citations.
•	Coordinate and works with all pertinent law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and social service agencies in preparation of cases for litigation.;
•	Required to be on call 24 hours a day.
•	Investigate Federal, State, and local officer involved shooting incidents and custodial deaths.
•	Prepare paperwork that is required by the State Comptroller's Office for re-imbursement of expenses by out of county/state witness, to the County of El Paso. Is responsible for tracking all the travel, hotel and personal expense for each traveling witness so the expense report can be properly reconciled. 
•	Provides security for Public Defenders Office Attorneys and witnesses testifying for the Public Defenders Office in court. Provide secure lodging for all out of county/state witnesses while testifying under subpoena for the State.
•	Under direction from the Chief Investigator, conducts inventory and deposit of seized funds by local and State Law Enforcement Agencies.

• Investigator Public Defender’s Office El Paso County/FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot Part 107

Winterberg Law Firm PC 

	Strategically planned and executed comprehensive case strategies for a diverse range of immigration, visa, and Citizenship cases. Drafted and submitted a wide range of immigration petitions for Family-based applications, including I-130, I-130A, I-131, I-765, I-485, I-751, I-129F, N-400, N-600, I-90, I-821D, and I-864, as well as Employment-based petitions such as TN, H-1B, L-1, I-140, and PERM. Managed the preparation of complex Request for Evidence (RFE) responses and successfully filed petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the National Visa Center (NVC), and U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Remote Immigration Paralegal 

Villalobos and Moore, LLP

•	Supported a team of two partners with Family-based petitions, Employment-based petitions, self-petitions, Consular processing, Citizenship and Naturalization applications.
•	Communicated job expectations, planning, monitoring, appraising and reviewing job contributions.
•	Contributed operations information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews, prepare and complete action plans, implement production, productivity, quality and customer service standards, resolve problems, complete audits, identify trends.
•	Served as primary point of contact when there are customer issues related to customer service standards. 
•	Communicated customer issues with the Family based Paralegal team, and devise ways of improving the customer experience, including and resolving problems and complaints.
•	Analyze processes workflow, employee and space requirements and office equipment layout, implement changes.
•	Worked closely with Management team to set and/or implement policies, standard operating procedures, and systems and to follow through with implementation.
•	Worked in a high-volume, fast-paced environment with time sensitive deadlines.
•	Meet with clients to gather information and serve as Spanish interpreter.
•	Prepared Immigrant I-130, I130A, I-140, I-751, I-129F, I-129F, I-129, I-539, N-400, N-600, I-90, I-821D, I-864, I-485, I-765, I-131 petitions for filing.
•	Provided technical training on immigration related policies and procedures including inbound US immigration options, and strategic solutions, to the Family based Paralegal team.
•	Tracked visas subject to expiration and renewed as required.
•	Performed legal research and assist with outbound/global immigration matters.
•	Monitored the Status of Applications via USCIS website and Schedule and attend appointments at USCIS with clients to check on case status.

Operations Manager/Senior Supervisory Immigration Paralegal

The University of Texas at El Paso

•	Led and supervised the UTEP team of four International Student Advisors in the successful accomplishment and delivery of international student advising and support services as acting Principal Designated School Official (PDSO).
•	Helped ensure the Office of International Programs (OIP) team: maintains University international student records that meet DHS, USCIS, ICE, and DoS requirements; comply with federal SEVIS/SEVP standards; and retains the information necessary for all University International students reporting requirements. In the absence of the OIP Director, perform as the lead Alternate.
•	Responsible Officer (ARO) in the delivery of advisory services to J-1 visa international students.
•	Closely coordinated OIP non-academic advising, non-immigration counseling, and professional assistance to ensure University compliance with Federal requirements for all International students, including International students transferring from other United States higher education institutions.
•	Directly assisted the OIP Director in the management and oversight of OIP special programs such as international health insurance waivers, Border County, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and new International Students Orientation.
•	Directly assisted and advice University international students and academic departments with the processing of International student administrative requirements for all related types of UTEP sponsored international student J-1 visas.
•	Maintained a current knowledge base of international student issues related to University sponsorship and the requirements of federal law in order to better assist the foreign students in successfully achieving their targeted academic objectives while at the University.
•	Worked closely alongside the SEVIS Data Systems Administrator and closely coordinate (with the advising team) all ISS data, documents, and reports related to international student data gathering and management.

Assistant Director Office of International Programs (OIP)

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Inc.

•	Provided direct representation of clients in Administrative or Judicial proceedings as Person-in Charge of individual cases.
•	Maintained a client caseload, exercising the independent professional judgement required of an advocate on all aspects of each individual case.
•	Operated under the supervision of a Team Manager or Branch Manager.
•	Conduct eligibility and substantive interviews in person and by telephone, which interviews may at times take place outside regular time settings.
•	Provided basic information and referrals to applicants, including those ineligible for services.
•	Interviewed clients and witnesses.
•	Conducted follow up of assigned cases, including investigative facts and researching law.
•	Serves process and subpoenas.
•	Prepared legal documents.
•	Attended and participate in community and group meetings and educational forums to conduct intake and make community legal education presentations.
•	Prepared legal educational materials.
•	Translated documents from English to Spanish and vice-versa, provide simultaneous translations between attorneys and non-English speakers.
•	Maintained accurate and complete client files and administrative records, including data entry into client database, and other requirements such as timekeeping.
•	Prepared administrative reports required by TRLA and HMIS.

Paralegal III / HUD-Homeless Team 

Dykema Cox Smith

•	Assisted four attorneys with determining case issues and planning cases strategy for Employment Based Immigration visas and cases (i.e. TN, H-1B, L-1, AOS, I-140, PERM, O-1, EB-1, and complex RFE responses).
•	Gathered necessary supporting documentation to demonstrate eligibility for benefit sought. Analyze and summarize all data. Prepare Table of Contents and Draft motions and legal memoranda for attorney review. 
•	Coordinated with client to assemble documentation, complete questionnaires and forms to file appropriate forms regarding client matters before the Department of Homeland Security, State, Justice, and Labor.
•	Prepared Company’s support letter and Table of contents. Assist in filling Nonimmigrant, Family and Employment based, and Citizenship applications with supporting evidence and supplementary forms for attorney review and filing with USCIS. 
•	Maintained, administered, and upload corresponding USCIS notices, and supporting documentation in Tracker system, create alerts to identify date of expiration, extension, and eligibility for Family-based and Employment-based visas.
•	Created and updated monthly reports generated by Tracker, as well as firm internal databases.

Immigration Support Specialist

Diocesan Migrant and refugee Services, Inc.

•	Assisted with all matters related to the provisions of LOP services, including conducting and assisting with the provision of legal orientations/presentations, when necessary, and assisting with individual orientations and workshops to detained populations.
•	Reviewed all phone and mail correspondence related to the LOP and provide timely responses, as appropriate.
•	Prepared all packets of materials to be used in LOP group orientations, individual orientations and self-help workshops.
•	Anticipate and prepare materials needed for conferences, correspondence, appointments, meetings, telephone calls, etc.
•	Attended and assisted with coordination of all meetings with El Paso and Otero Service Processing Centers staff and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) staff.  Communicates with El Paso and Otero Processing Centers and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) staff on regular basis so as to maintain the smooth operation of the program.
•	Read regulations, publications, and directives and takes appropriate action or refers those that are important to the Executive Director, Supervisor and Staff.
•	Prepared timely reports as required by the Vera Institute of Justice and assists with maintaining the LOP database as required.
•	Established and maintained office files related to project responsibilities.

Legal Orientation Program (LOP) Paralegal

•	Interviewed clients and complete applications for cases pending before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
•	Interviewed clients and complete applications for clients who qualify for benefits under the U.S. Immigration Laws.
•	Reviewed and revise applications completed by other staff members.
•	Prepared application packets for filing with EOIR.
•	Prepared Immigrant Visa applications for filing with USCIS.
•	Translation of documents required for application packets.
•	Maintained good relations with EOIR, ICE and USCIS.

Trial Unit Legal Assistant

U.S. Department of State

•	Achieved highest rank possible for locally employed staff (LES) at an U.S diplomatic posting.
•	Supervised a staff of eight locally hired U.S Citizens services specialists, as well as two interns.
•	Oversaw the provision of a wide range of complex services to U.S. citizens visiting and living in Mexico –including U.S. passport and Consular reports of birth abroad (CRBA) processing, prison visits, international prisoner transfers, international parent-child abductions, repatriation of runaway minors, death cases, kidnappings, destitution loans and repatriations of mentally ill.
•	Wrote quarterly and annual performance evaluations reports of staff members.
•	Allocated staff and budget resources, and planning long-term agendas.
•	Advised section chief on aspects of Mexican law as it relates to the provision of citizen services.
•	Assisted in the training of U.S. diplomats in all facets of provisioning services to U.S. citizens in Mexico.
•	Maintained active liaison with scores of key officials in the Mexican federal, state and local governments in order to help the section maintain continuity of services over the long-term.
•	Helped the section maintain a high quality of service during exceptionally demanding and stressful period brought by unprecedented violence along the U.S.-Mexico border region.
•	Drafted inter-departmental cables as well as official correspondence with Mexican contacts on issues ranging from drug trafficking to immigration matters to bilateral political and economic agreements.

American Citizens Services Senior LES Supervisor 

•	Investigated cases of federal benefits fraud perpetrated from within Mexico.
•	Conducted site visits at private residences, churches and hospitals; also consulted Mexican authorities such as Attorney General’s Offices, state and municipal civil registries and local government archives.
•	Conducted annual field surveys to validate information provided by benefits recipients residing in Mexico.
•	Gathered evidence, including falsely reported deaths and unreported work abroad, in the form of civil documents, third party interviews, and sworn affidavits.
•	Evaluated and analyzed evidence gathered in the field to help build enforcement cases against federal benefits abusers.
•	Drafted field investigation reports and forwarded them to the Social Security Administration headquarters in Baltimore, MD for analysis and final determination.

Social Security Administration (FBU) Field Investigator -

•	Supervised a three-person processing team in the world’s largest immigrant visa unit.
•	Provided essential support services to Consular officers, including visa application enrollment and filing, which enabled the adjudication of over 1,000 visa applications on a daily basis.
•	Protected U.S. borders by drafting visa security cables to Washington; helped Consular officers vet visa applications posing potential drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism-related risks.

Immigrant Visa Section Team Leader 

•	Registered and pre-interview visa applicants to prepare their cases for Consular Officers review and adjudication.
•	Translated civil and other documents from Spanish to English, and vice-versa.
•	Developed a strong understanding of U.S. immigration law.

Immigrant Visa Section Team Member 

Scotiabank

•	Served in various capacities as SWIFT operator, telex operator, money exchange control operator, import/export assistant and mail room assistant.
•	Promoted to principal Cashier, Branch Accountant and Branch Manager.

Multifunctional Assistant International Banking Division, Branch Manager & cashier 

Expertly navigating the intricacies of legal investigations, my role as an Investigator at El Paso County is bolstered by an FAA Part 107 certification for commercial drone operations, enhancing our department's capability to gather crucial evidence. Our team's proficiency in legal assistance is demonstrated through meticulous witness interviews, preparing statements, and maintaining evidence chain integrity, ensuring robust defense strategies.

Leveraging bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, my contributions extend beyond traditional investigation techniques, enabling smoother communications with diverse communities and stakeholders. As part of a dynamic legal team, we prioritize excellence in service delivery, aligning our operations with strategic objectives to support the pursuit of justice within our jurisdiction.

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