Originally from Hawaii and raised across the U.S., I’ve always connected deeply with diverse families and cultures, especially while living in Weslaco, TX and Miami, FL. After earning a degree in International Relations from Florida International University, immigration law became a natural calling.
At my firm, I focus exclusively on U.S. immigration law—especially K-1 fiancé visas, adjustment of status for spouses and children, family-based green card petitions, employment-based visas, and consular processing for families abroad. Most of my clients are couples who want to get married and start their lives together in the U.S., and I pay special attention to immigration paths that include children, stepchildren, and blended families. I assist with ex-pats who need tax advice, as well as help strategizing when they can return to the US with their spouse and family in light of their US financial situations. The bulk of my clients are entreprenuers and business owners.
With a 100% approval rate in family-based petitions over the past five years, I bring strategy because I have a heavy background in litigation as a former prosecutor and assistant attorney general. Compassion, determination, and scrutiny is how I approach each case, and I don't take every case. I help clients navigate the complex immigration process with clarity, empathy, and results. Would you trust a lawyer who has never had a jury trial with your case? If that lawyer hasn't won a jury, how will they win an immigration officer or judge?
A client recently told me he hired me because a woman in a male-dominated field would outwork a man just to prove herself. And sure—I proved myself, but he later admitted I went above and beyond. Maybe that’s not about proving anything. Maybe people go above and beyond when they actually care.
- KVX
- - Current
- Exclusively immigration + international
- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
- Prosecuting Attorney's Office
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- Assistant Attorney General
- Office of the Attorney General
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- WVSP Cadet Training, Charleston, West Virginia
- WVSP and AGO
- Taught cadet classes at the WVSP for DUI detection and court preparation.
- West Virginia State Bar
- - Current
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- American Immigration Lawyers Association
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- American Bar Association
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- West Virginia
- West Virginia State Bar
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- Credit Cards Accepted
- Immigration Law
- Citizenship, Family Visas, Green Cards, Immigration Appeals, Investment Visas, Marriage & Fiancé(e) Visas, Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Work Visas
- International Law
- Human Rights, Imports & Exports
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Education Law
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- English: Spoken, Written
- Q. If I had a green card but lost it for living outside the United States for 5 years, can I start a new residency process
- A: Thank you for your thoughtful question — and it’s wonderful to hear that you have a strong family foundation with your U.S. citizen spouse and children. The good news is **yes, you absolutely can reapply for residency**, even if you previously had a green card and lost it by living outside the U.S. too long. This situation is more common than you might think, and it does *not* automatically block you from applying again.
Since you left the U.S. legally and haven’t committed any immigration violations, you generally do **not need an immigration pardon or waiver**—as long as you didn’t overstay or accrue unlawful presence during your previous time in the U.S. If everything was clean ... Read More
- Q. Can my husband continue to work on his H-4 EAD card after my green card approval?
- A: Congratulations on your green card approval! That’s a big milestone—and your concern about your husband’s status is completely valid and very common in adjustment of status filings. Now that you're a permanent resident, he can continue using his H-4 EAD until it expires, as long as his H-4 status remains valid. If his visa category is current and his adjustment of status is still pending when his H-4 or EAD nears expiration, you can consider applying for a C(09) EAD based on the pending green card application.
- Q. Can my American husband start my residency process from abroad?
- A: What a thoughtful and important question—it’s clear that your family has deep ties to both the U.S. and Central America, and you’re navigating this process with care. Since your husband is a U.S. citizen and your children are American citizens, he can start the process to bring you back to the U.S., even while you’re all still living in Central America. You don’t need to be in the U.S. to begin.
Your case is a little different from what was done for your kids, since they were already U.S. citizens. In your case, we’ll need to know whether you officially gave up your green card or just lost it due to time abroad—and whether you’ve ever overstayed your tourist visa in the U.S. ... Read More