Kathleen Martinez

Right. No one wants to hear that, by the way.

Right. No one wants to hear that, by the way.

No one. Is it unethical? It's a civil violation, which is the same thing as jaywalking, not paying your parking ticket, landlord dispute. White people do that every day. Right. And no one has a problem with that because they're white. Right. Do you really care about it? Sometimes I'm like, do they really care that someone's here without documentation? Do they? I don't know.

No one. Is it unethical? It's a civil violation, which is the same thing as jaywalking, not paying your parking ticket, landlord dispute. White people do that every day. Right. And no one has a problem with that because they're white. Right. Do you really care about it? Sometimes I'm like, do they really care that someone's here without documentation? Do they? I don't know.

I think they do because they think they don't contribute to society. Yeah, they think they're taking something from them. Correct. Because they want to live off the government. They don't want anybody else to. And that's who's living off of these government programs are white people. Yeah, I would agree with that. So they're like, you're taking from my Medicaid.

I think they do because they think they don't contribute to society. Yeah, they think they're taking something from them. Correct. Because they want to live off the government. They don't want anybody else to. And that's who's living off of these government programs are white people. Yeah, I would agree with that. So they're like, you're taking from my Medicaid.

And they're like, you need to earn your right to be here. But they're not earning it.

And they're like, you need to earn your right to be here. But they're not earning it.

Stupid people on Facebook.

Stupid people on Facebook.

So I mean – so if you're hiring a lawyer for like a marriage-based case, it depends on like whether you have a criminal history, how you enter the country. But on average, it's going to be anywhere between like probably – It could be anywhere between like $4,000 and $15,000, right? And so that's just like lawyer's fees typically.

So I mean – so if you're hiring a lawyer for like a marriage-based case, it depends on like whether you have a criminal history, how you enter the country. But on average, it's going to be anywhere between like probably – It could be anywhere between like $4,000 and $15,000, right? And so that's just like lawyer's fees typically.

If you're in removal proceedings, like they're actively deporting you, it could probably be a lot more than that, like twice that much. So it kind of depends on your case. But then the government has filing fees, right? So applications have like sometimes like $1,100 filing fees. And that's only one of the four applications that you have to file. So, I mean, you have to have a lot of money.

If you're in removal proceedings, like they're actively deporting you, it could probably be a lot more than that, like twice that much. So it kind of depends on your case. But then the government has filing fees, right? So applications have like sometimes like $1,100 filing fees. And that's only one of the four applications that you have to file. So, I mean, you have to have a lot of money.

But like that's another misconception is they think immigrants don't have money. They always pay. They always have money saved because they're hard workers and they're financially responsible. Like they don't come here just with no money, you know. And when I was a family law attorney representing rich, petty, divorced couples, like they wouldn't pay me. But like immigrants always pay in full.

But like that's another misconception is they think immigrants don't have money. They always pay. They always have money saved because they're hard workers and they're financially responsible. Like they don't come here just with no money, you know. And when I was a family law attorney representing rich, petty, divorced couples, like they wouldn't pay me. But like immigrants always pay in full.

When you're a family lawyer, you're a not so happy lawyer. I've heard. You're dealing with like litigious divorces and CPS. And, you know, it's really hard and really stressful. But then I started making people happy. I would get them green cards. And I also fell in love with like immigrants as like as people, as clients, because I They're the best clients.

When you're a family lawyer, you're a not so happy lawyer. I've heard. You're dealing with like litigious divorces and CPS. And, you know, it's really hard and really stressful. But then I started making people happy. I would get them green cards. And I also fell in love with like immigrants as like as people, as clients, because I They're the best clients.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Because they they're responsible and they work really hard. But like and they're just they're not entitled, you know, entitled people treat their lawyers horribly and they're usually cheap about it. But like my clients are never entitled and they're so easy to work with.

Because they they're responsible and they work really hard. But like and they're just they're not entitled, you know, entitled people treat their lawyers horribly and they're usually cheap about it. But like my clients are never entitled and they're so easy to work with.

Yeah. So because they're coming here, it's immigration law. It's federal over every state. But because they're coming here, it's sort of like just federal immigration law. So it doesn't matter where you are. You're still working with the American embassy.

Yeah. So because they're coming here, it's immigration law. It's federal over every state. But because they're coming here, it's sort of like just federal immigration law. So it doesn't matter where you are. You're still working with the American embassy.

Yeah. So you're not really dealing with their jurisdiction in their country.

Yeah. So you're not really dealing with their jurisdiction in their country.

Oh, yeah. I mean, it's hard. It's definitely hard. I have to be very general. So I'm like, like, you know, on my bio, I said, this is not legally legal advice, you know, but people don't really know what legal advice is. Right. They assume that everything's legal advice. A legal advice would be like specifically talking to one person about their case and like telling them what to do. Right.

Oh, yeah. I mean, it's hard. It's definitely hard. I have to be very general. So I'm like, like, you know, on my bio, I said, this is not legally legal advice, you know, but people don't really know what legal advice is. Right. They assume that everything's legal advice. A legal advice would be like specifically talking to one person about their case and like telling them what to do. Right.

So, I mean, my topics, I just try to be really like general. Lately, I've had a lot of content because it's all breaking news. All of it's breaking news. All of it's breaking news. So I just kind of like break news down now at this point because it's like I don't really have to educate people anymore. People are very educated on the internet about immigration now thankfully.

So, I mean, my topics, I just try to be really like general. Lately, I've had a lot of content because it's all breaking news. All of it's breaking news. All of it's breaking news. So I just kind of like break news down now at this point because it's like I don't really have to educate people anymore. People are very educated on the internet about immigration now thankfully.

But they're not educated about all the – I mean it's a very humbling career for me because it's like the – A new president comes in and changes everything. And now I have to relearn my like all of immigration law. Right. So I'm getting these new executive orders because Trump writes them every five seconds every time someone offends him and he writes a new executive order.

But they're not educated about all the – I mean it's a very humbling career for me because it's like the – A new president comes in and changes everything. And now I have to relearn my like all of immigration law. Right. So I'm getting these new executive orders because Trump writes them every five seconds every time someone offends him and he writes a new executive order.

And then I have to analyze it and be like, OK, this is what this means. It's not that serious. Someone's going to file a lawsuit. They probably already did with the ACLU and a judge is going to block it. So I'll post on it later.

And then I have to analyze it and be like, OK, this is what this means. It's not that serious. Someone's going to file a lawsuit. They probably already did with the ACLU and a judge is going to block it. So I'll post on it later.

They're written temper tantrums for this president. That's for sure. I swear like every time he's mad, he just wrote one about how he's going after immigration and civil rights lawyers because they keep filing lawsuits to stop his executive orders. And he's like, we're going to sanction you and discipline you. Like for what? Doing our job? Like we don't owe you anything. It's anything you got.

They're written temper tantrums for this president. That's for sure. I swear like every time he's mad, he just wrote one about how he's going after immigration and civil rights lawyers because they keep filing lawsuits to stop his executive orders. And he's like, we're going to sanction you and discipline you. Like for what? Doing our job? Like we don't owe you anything. It's anything you got.

know more than he does.

know more than he does.

They're so grateful, so humble, so kind, and so hardworking. Meeting people from all walks of life, you learn so much from them that I'm like, this is why I'm a lawyer. This is how I want to spend all my time is helping people like this.

They're so grateful, so humble, so kind, and so hardworking. Meeting people from all walks of life, you learn so much from them that I'm like, this is why I'm a lawyer. This is how I want to spend all my time is helping people like this.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. So when I got fired from a firm that was very conservative where they didn't specifically tell me I was fired for wearing pink, but they kind of bullied me out and subtly told me that I didn't fit in and I wasn't getting taken seriously. I just didn't fit in. I was like, I'm going to practice.

Yeah. Yeah. So when I got fired from a firm that was very conservative where they didn't specifically tell me I was fired for wearing pink, but they kind of bullied me out and subtly told me that I didn't fit in and I wasn't getting taken seriously. I just didn't fit in. I was like, I'm going to practice.

I'm going to maybe do some cases on my own for now because I had a baby at home and I had another one on the way and it was the pandemic. Then my husband's like, We have like the storage room in our townhouse in Portland. And he was like, let me turn this into a little office. I was like, okay. Like I couldn't even afford it. Like I couldn't afford a nanny.

I'm going to maybe do some cases on my own for now because I had a baby at home and I had another one on the way and it was the pandemic. Then my husband's like, We have like the storage room in our townhouse in Portland. And he was like, let me turn this into a little office. I was like, okay. Like I couldn't even afford it. Like I couldn't afford a nanny.

So my kids were, we did like a baby gate and it was like a pink carpet. And I just like worked there. And then we painted like the wall pink so I could do some content. And, you know, it was cool. I started doing immigration. I really liked it. But I didn't really like I never actually expected to like blow up with my firm. I expected to be very small.

So my kids were, we did like a baby gate and it was like a pink carpet. And I just like worked there. And then we painted like the wall pink so I could do some content. And, you know, it was cool. I started doing immigration. I really liked it. But I didn't really like I never actually expected to like blow up with my firm. I expected to be very small.

But because of TikTok, I swear I just got on at the right time early 2021. And I was like, you know what? no one really knows about immigration. Like it's just not common. No one knows that you can get a green card from being a victim of a crime. I was like, so I really want to post about that and see if I can help people by educating them. So I posted TikTok. I was really scared.

But because of TikTok, I swear I just got on at the right time early 2021. And I was like, you know what? no one really knows about immigration. Like it's just not common. No one knows that you can get a green card from being a victim of a crime. I was like, so I really want to post about that and see if I can help people by educating them. So I posted TikTok. I was really scared.

And then it went viral and I just posted more and I got so many calls and I was like, I have to hire people. You know, you have to play catch up. Right. So then I, you know, hired more people and it's still entirely virtual. So all, I think we have about 45 employees, all of them work from home. So I have little like, yeah.

And then it went viral and I just posted more and I got so many calls and I was like, I have to hire people. You know, you have to play catch up. Right. So then I, you know, hired more people and it's still entirely virtual. So all, I think we have about 45 employees, all of them work from home. So I have little like, yeah.

Because most of them are like moms and students and parents. And so I wanted to stay in that pandemic friendly kind of workplace because I really liked working from home because I had kids. And I was like, no one has to go to an office with immigration. All of it's like virtual anyway. Right. Yeah.

Because most of them are like moms and students and parents. And so I wanted to stay in that pandemic friendly kind of workplace because I really liked working from home because I had kids. And I was like, no one has to go to an office with immigration. All of it's like virtual anyway. Right. Yeah.

So I have satellite offices where I work and I meet clients, but all of my staff, they work from home and it's like, it's very mom friendly. We have a lot of moms like, and a lot of people who are in school or they can't afford like, you know, to drive the office every day. It's really inconvenient. So we have little satellite pink offices everywhere. But all of them actually work from home.

So I have satellite offices where I work and I meet clients, but all of my staff, they work from home and it's like, it's very mom friendly. We have a lot of moms like, and a lot of people who are in school or they can't afford like, you know, to drive the office every day. It's really inconvenient. So we have little satellite pink offices everywhere. But all of them actually work from home.

And you just had this idea to do it that way or it just kind of played out that way? It kind of played out that way. And we had thought about, like, do we want to do a big in-person office? But, like, my best employees work all over the country.

And you just had this idea to do it that way or it just kind of played out that way? It kind of played out that way. And we had thought about, like, do we want to do a big in-person office? But, like, my best employees work all over the country.

Yeah. I mean, it's huge. Cause like, you know, with, with my husband, he's sort of the opposite of how he was raised. He was like, you know, he was born in Mexico and his family was very conservative and a little bit like machista, right? Like traditional, like his mom is that way. But he's like the opposite. He is like, he was the one that told me to make pink my brand.

Yeah. I mean, it's huge. Cause like, you know, with, with my husband, he's sort of the opposite of how he was raised. He was like, you know, he was born in Mexico and his family was very conservative and a little bit like machista, right? Like traditional, like his mom is that way. But he's like the opposite. He is like, he was the one that told me to make pink my brand.

He was, cause we're designing, like I was doing my own like DIY website with like wigs. Yeah. And I was using like Google photos that I shouldn't be using of like an American flag. It was horrible. And he was like, you know what? Why don't you just make it all pink? And I was like, that's why I got fired. I can't do that.

He was, cause we're designing, like I was doing my own like DIY website with like wigs. Yeah. And I was using like Google photos that I shouldn't be using of like an American flag. It was horrible. And he was like, you know what? Why don't you just make it all pink? And I was like, that's why I got fired. I can't do that.

And he was like, he's like, do you think your clients care if your website's pink? And I was like, No, probably not. Only the men that I worked for gave a shit about me wearing pink, right? And I think it's because they were bad at their job and I was better and they didn't like that I didn't look like them and I was better at their job.

And he was like, he's like, do you think your clients care if your website's pink? And I was like, No, probably not. Only the men that I worked for gave a shit about me wearing pink, right? And I think it's because they were bad at their job and I was better and they didn't like that I didn't look like them and I was better at their job.

Yeah, I'm a woman. Like they just couldn't stand it. Is your husband also in law? No, he's an engineer.

Yeah, I'm a woman. Like they just couldn't stand it. Is your husband also in law? No, he's an engineer.

He wears pink. He bought a pink suit. Like he's so like, he does not care. Like he was like, and then I was, I was, I was like, how do I, I want to do my first billboard. And he was like, you're going to do bright pink. And I was like in Dallas, which is very conservative. Right. Cause you know, all the billboards in Dallas are like Texas hammer or like these PI attorneys. Camo.

He wears pink. He bought a pink suit. Like he's so like, he does not care. Like he was like, and then I was, I was, I was like, how do I, I want to do my first billboard. And he was like, you're going to do bright pink. And I was like in Dallas, which is very conservative. Right. Cause you know, all the billboards in Dallas are like Texas hammer or like these PI attorneys. Camo.

And he was like, I'm going to make yours all pink. And he was like, no one's going to miss that. I'm like, that's, that's for sure.

And he was like, I'm going to make yours all pink. And he was like, no one's going to miss that. I'm like, that's, that's for sure.

Yeah. And like the, it's funny. Cause like half of my clients are women. Cause there are a lot of marriage based cases. Right. And the women are typically here or they're in other countries and other countries, or they're seeing my billboards or they're seeing my brand or, and they followed me because they just liked the pink and they're like, I could totally relate to that. Like I'm a girly girl.

Yeah. And like the, it's funny. Cause like half of my clients are women. Cause there are a lot of marriage based cases. Right. And the women are typically here or they're in other countries and other countries, or they're seeing my billboards or they're seeing my brand or, and they followed me because they just liked the pink and they're like, I could totally relate to that. Like I'm a girly girl.

I work in engineering. I work in this field where like I really want to wear pink, but I feel like I can't. And I love that you're doing it because I don't feel brave enough to do it. So I kind of like live vicariously through you. Right. Yeah. So then they're like, I trust her. Yeah. I relate to her. So I want to hire her. Yeah.

I work in engineering. I work in this field where like I really want to wear pink, but I feel like I can't. And I love that you're doing it because I don't feel brave enough to do it. So I kind of like live vicariously through you. Right. Yeah. So then they're like, I trust her. Yeah. I relate to her. So I want to hire her. Yeah.

And I think I seem more relatable to like the clients that way, you know, because like a lot of attorneys are very buttoned up, very conservative and they're kind of mean. Yes.

And I think I seem more relatable to like the clients that way, you know, because like a lot of attorneys are very buttoned up, very conservative and they're kind of mean. Yes.

You feel like you could relate to, you trust.

You feel like you could relate to, you trust.

It's very misogynistic. The manager that I had that fired me at my first firm, he had taken the bar like five times. He should not have been the lawyer. Can you take it five times? Apparently in Texas. And so when I passed, I remember the look on his face. He was like, I didn't think you'd pass. He literally told me that. Why? Because of the way you look? Oh, for sure.

It's very misogynistic. The manager that I had that fired me at my first firm, he had taken the bar like five times. He should not have been the lawyer. Can you take it five times? Apparently in Texas. And so when I passed, I remember the look on his face. He was like, I didn't think you'd pass. He literally told me that. Why? Because of the way you look? Oh, for sure.

But he wasn't going to admit it. And he like really liked me. Like he was really helpful to me until I passed the bar. Shut up. And then he was like,

But he wasn't going to admit it. And he like really liked me. Like he was really helpful to me until I passed the bar. Shut up. And then he was like,

trying to get me fired telling on me for every mistake I made like he just couldn't handle the thought of me taking his job and I knew it and that was like a lot of male lawyers that I worked for they were like that and I can't stand it like but a lot of it is I get hate from a lot of female lawyers too because

trying to get me fired telling on me for every mistake I made like he just couldn't handle the thought of me taking his job and I knew it and that was like a lot of male lawyers that I worked for they were like that and I can't stand it like but a lot of it is I get hate from a lot of female lawyers too because

I call them pick-me's they're just playing the game they want to be liked by those men too so they're like what is she doing she sets us back because we're trying to be taken seriously and I almost don't blame them you know but then they're on like Facebook groups and Reddit they're like she's so cringe like no one will take her seriously I think it's because they they can't do it they can't pull it off because they don't own their own firms and that's what a lot of women do is they end up just having their own firms they you they don't make partner as often as men because they're like you know they're not respected for their time with their children

I call them pick-me's they're just playing the game they want to be liked by those men too so they're like what is she doing she sets us back because we're trying to be taken seriously and I almost don't blame them you know but then they're on like Facebook groups and Reddit they're like she's so cringe like no one will take her seriously I think it's because they they can't do it they can't pull it off because they don't own their own firms and that's what a lot of women do is they end up just having their own firms they you they don't make partner as often as men because they're like you know they're not respected for their time with their children

you know? Um, and, and they can't be themselves and they're like, screw it. I'm just going to like make my own table, which is exactly what I had to do.

you know? Um, and, and they can't be themselves and they're like, screw it. I'm just going to like make my own table, which is exactly what I had to do.

I just want to grow as much as possible because I really like, I don't have to, but I really like employing women. Yeah. And I want to help more women out and I want to give them more jobs. And I really like being a business owner and having a team. I'm sure you feel the same way.

I just want to grow as much as possible because I really like, I don't have to, but I really like employing women. Yeah. And I want to help more women out and I want to give them more jobs. And I really like being a business owner and having a team. I'm sure you feel the same way.

I mean, they're little boys. They're insane.

I mean, they're little boys. They're insane.

They're immigrants.

They're immigrants.

Yeah. It's like, you know, we went on a vacation a couple of weeks ago and they were saying how grateful they were. My kids were like, thank you daddy for bringing us to the hotel. And he goes, you need to thank mommy. And I was like, that's so nice. I'll cry right now. Right. You know, I, that is wow. That's so nice. Right.

Yeah. It's like, you know, we went on a vacation a couple of weeks ago and they were saying how grateful they were. My kids were like, thank you daddy for bringing us to the hotel. And he goes, you need to thank mommy. And I was like, that's so nice. I'll cry right now. Right. You know, I, that is wow. That's so nice. Right.

Cause he, and he looked at me and I feel bad cause I work all the time vacation. And I was like, are you mad? Cause my, my dad would always get mad at my mom for doing the same thing. And he was like, no, he was like, You taking these calls is like the reason why we have these privileges. And he was like, I'll never stop you. Like, that's what you want to do.

Cause he, and he looked at me and I feel bad cause I work all the time vacation. And I was like, are you mad? Cause my, my dad would always get mad at my mom for doing the same thing. And he was like, no, he was like, You taking these calls is like the reason why we have these privileges. And he was like, I'll never stop you. Like, that's what you want to do.

You know what I think it is? I think the people who are very anti-immigration is because they've never been an immigrant. They live in small areas where there's just not a lot of diversity. They just don't know. They're ignorant because of that. And so instead of putting a face behind the name of an immigrant, they kind of see them – we call it the boogeyman theory.

You know what I think it is? I think the people who are very anti-immigration is because they've never been an immigrant. They live in small areas where there's just not a lot of diversity. They just don't know. They're ignorant because of that. And so instead of putting a face behind the name of an immigrant, they kind of see them – we call it the boogeyman theory.

I'll never make you feel uncomfortable for like doing what you want to do and helping so many people. I'm like, how did I get so lucky?

I'll never make you feel uncomfortable for like doing what you want to do and helping so many people. I'm like, how did I get so lucky?

What is that? Yeah. So I think it's like a business company in Texas. And they kind of, I think they evaluate based on your reviews and your notoriety and how clients see you, which is really cool because a lot of other lawyer awards are mostly about like how other lawyers feel about you. And not a lot of lawyers like me. Yeah. I don't get those awards, but I like getting like business awards.

What is that? Yeah. So I think it's like a business company in Texas. And they kind of, I think they evaluate based on your reviews and your notoriety and how clients see you, which is really cool because a lot of other lawyer awards are mostly about like how other lawyers feel about you. And not a lot of lawyers like me. Yeah. I don't get those awards, but I like getting like business awards.

I get a lot more awards and recognition based on my social media platform or like my clients. And those are the people I care about as my followers, my clients. I don't really care about other lawyers.

I get a lot more awards and recognition based on my social media platform or like my clients. And those are the people I care about as my followers, my clients. I don't really care about other lawyers.

So I don't really care about people who I'm competing with.

So I don't really care about people who I'm competing with.

And I, and sometimes like I'll be at like, I'll reach out to other lawyers and I'll be like, you know, whatever I can do to help you, I'll see like younger lawyers or female lawyers and, And the younger ones are pretty nice to me. They follow me. They're cool with social media. It's the older ones.

And I, and sometimes like I'll be at like, I'll reach out to other lawyers and I'll be like, you know, whatever I can do to help you, I'll see like younger lawyers or female lawyers and, And the younger ones are pretty nice to me. They follow me. They're cool with social media. It's the older ones.

And you kind of expect that because they're like, I had to go to school where I had to act like a bully. I had to act like a man. I had to look a certain way. You don't have to do that. I think they're resentful of younger lawyers for doing that. There's a whole discussion on TikTok about whether lawyers should be content creators because a lot of lawyers are like, don't do it.

And you kind of expect that because they're like, I had to go to school where I had to act like a bully. I had to act like a man. I had to look a certain way. You don't have to do that. I think they're resentful of younger lawyers for doing that. There's a whole discussion on TikTok about whether lawyers should be content creators because a lot of lawyers are like, don't do it.

You're going to get fired. Your clients are going to take you seriously. And the younger lawyers are like, we need to change this. Like we need to be able to make money off of content and have some kind of like artistic side of our life because the practice of law is so like, you know, stressful. Like, why can't we have that? You know?

You're going to get fired. Your clients are going to take you seriously. And the younger lawyers are like, we need to change this. Like we need to be able to make money off of content and have some kind of like artistic side of our life because the practice of law is so like, you know, stressful. Like, why can't we have that? You know?

Jasmine Crockett talked about it a lot. where they don't know immigrants, so they kind of look at them as criminals, like not humans, right? They're like, you come here to commit crimes. That's what I heard on Facebook in my small town in Idaho, and that's how I'm going to believe.

Jasmine Crockett talked about it a lot. where they don't know immigrants, so they kind of look at them as criminals, like not humans, right? They're like, you come here to commit crimes. That's what I heard on Facebook in my small town in Idaho, and that's how I'm going to believe.

Yeah. And that's the legal field. It's very – the way it is, it's like if you don't go to a top 20 school, then you don't work in big law, which is the really big firms. It's very conservative. And then you end up being, like, a slave to them. You get paid a lot of money. But it's a very elitist, like – profession. And I want to be the complete opposite of that. I want to be relatable.

Yeah. And that's the legal field. It's very – the way it is, it's like if you don't go to a top 20 school, then you don't work in big law, which is the really big firms. It's very conservative. And then you end up being, like, a slave to them. You get paid a lot of money. But it's a very elitist, like – profession. And I want to be the complete opposite of that. I want to be relatable.

My clients have my cell phone number. I want to go out to drinks with them. I want to be their BFF because I'm working so hard for them. I want them to trust me. And I also want them to see me as a human because sometimes when it's so stressful, I want them to know that I'm just a human being and I'm working really hard.

My clients have my cell phone number. I want to go out to drinks with them. I want to be their BFF because I'm working so hard for them. I want them to trust me. And I also want them to see me as a human because sometimes when it's so stressful, I want them to know that I'm just a human being and I'm working really hard.

And I want them to see how much I care about them versus these buttoned up lawyers who are just like assholes to their clients.

And I want them to see how much I care about them versus these buttoned up lawyers who are just like assholes to their clients.

And you'll put so many facts in front of them, so many statistics, and they just won't hear it because they don't really want to. They've already decided. So I think it's like just pure ignorance. Like, but you're, it's so crazy if you really think about it, like immigrants or not, you have to understand why immigrants come here, right?

And you'll put so many facts in front of them, so many statistics, and they just won't hear it because they don't really want to. They've already decided. So I think it's like just pure ignorance. Like, but you're, it's so crazy if you really think about it, like immigrants or not, you have to understand why immigrants come here, right?

It's very stressful for the client. They're going through so much and they're so scared right now because that's what the president's doing is trying to scare them. My job is to be there for them and to kind of have thicker skin and just to walk them through it. And from what I figured out is as much communication as possible.

It's very stressful for the client. They're going through so much and they're so scared right now because that's what the president's doing is trying to scare them. My job is to be there for them and to kind of have thicker skin and just to walk them through it. And from what I figured out is as much communication as possible.

I've worked with lawyers who they very much limit their conversation with their clients. And they're like, I don't want to talk to them. I don't want to talk to them. Like, I don't want them to use it against me. And I'm like, they're paying you so much money to change their lives. Talk to them. Call them on the phone. like be their therapist.

I've worked with lawyers who they very much limit their conversation with their clients. And they're like, I don't want to talk to them. I don't want to talk to them. Like, I don't want them to use it against me. And I'm like, they're paying you so much money to change their lives. Talk to them. Call them on the phone. like be their therapist.

Like we should be, you know, we're changing their lives and they're paying us good money. Like we need to make it worthwhile.

Like we should be, you know, we're changing their lives and they're paying us good money. Like we need to make it worthwhile.

Very cool. Yeah. I mean, I feel like those awards, like I definitely the face, but honestly, my team is the reason why we're successful. So we have like 45 employees and they work day and night and they're not the face, like I'm the face. So I do get more recognition, but it's really because of them. Like they work so hard.

Very cool. Yeah. I mean, I feel like those awards, like I definitely the face, but honestly, my team is the reason why we're successful. So we have like 45 employees and they work day and night and they're not the face, like I'm the face. So I do get more recognition, but it's really because of them. Like they work so hard.

No. Sometimes you have to look into the criminal history. When you're looking at a client, can I get you the green card with criminal history? It depends on the criminal laws in that state that they were convicted in or arrested in. There's this crazy rule in immigration where You don't have to be convicted of a crime for immigration to use it against you.

No. Sometimes you have to look into the criminal history. When you're looking at a client, can I get you the green card with criminal history? It depends on the criminal laws in that state that they were convicted in or arrested in. There's this crazy rule in immigration where You don't have to be convicted of a crime for immigration to use it against you.

They come here to contribute and to provide for their family, right? Because they can't do it at home. They're unable to either for safety reasons, the economy, whatever. They come here to literally to work. Literally to work. Yeah. So when they hire me, they're like, I just want a work permit. And because of the way that the immigration system is now, I can't give it to them. I'm like, I'm sorry.

They come here to contribute and to provide for their family, right? Because they can't do it at home. They're unable to either for safety reasons, the economy, whatever. They come here to literally to work. Literally to work. Yeah. So when they hire me, they're like, I just want a work permit. And because of the way that the immigration system is now, I can't give it to them. I'm like, I'm sorry.

So if you've been wrongfully arrested and then DA dropped the charges, if they have a reason to believe that you committed that crime, they could use it against you. which is crazy. That's like essentially double jeopardy though. Right. So I have to go into that interview with them and be like, do not admit it.

So if you've been wrongfully arrested and then DA dropped the charges, if they have a reason to believe that you committed that crime, they could use it against you. which is crazy. That's like essentially double jeopardy though. Right. So I have to go into that interview with them and be like, do not admit it.

I was in an interview where they asked you, the interview asked her, this client, he was like, did you get arrested of this crime? And he goes, yes. Then he goes, did you commit the crime? And he kind of looked at me and I was like, and he didn't know what to say. And I was like, he didn't commit the crime. I prepped him for this. He just got wrongfully arrested. Right.

I was in an interview where they asked you, the interview asked her, this client, he was like, did you get arrested of this crime? And he goes, yes. Then he goes, did you commit the crime? And he kind of looked at me and I was like, and he didn't know what to say. And I was like, he didn't commit the crime. I prepped him for this. He just got wrongfully arrested. Right.

But the officer was trying to trick him into saying that he committed the crime so he could use it against him and deny him. Right. But he didn't. He never committed the crime. He was wrongfully arrested. They dropped the charges for a reason. So then I looked at him and I was like, remember, the only one who could determine whether you committed a crime or not is a judge in a criminal court.

But the officer was trying to trick him into saying that he committed the crime so he could use it against him and deny him. Right. But he didn't. He never committed the crime. He was wrongfully arrested. They dropped the charges for a reason. So then I looked at him and I was like, remember, the only one who could determine whether you committed a crime or not is a judge in a criminal court.

Not you. You can't determine that. So answer the question thinking about that. An officer looked at me like she was pissed.

Not you. You can't determine that. So answer the question thinking about that. An officer looked at me like she was pissed.

And I was like, you're not trying to get my client to lie.

And I was like, you're not trying to get my client to lie.

I did a whole thesis in law school on her.

I did a whole thesis in law school on her.

I'm obsessed with Amanda Knox.

I'm obsessed with Amanda Knox.

Yeah. In a different language. And they were trying to get him to admit that he committed a crime. And they kept going back to say, because he was like, I'm confused. And he goes, well, remember you said yes to being arrested. So now I'm asking you, did you commit it? So he was trying to bait him into saying that he committed the crime.

Yeah. In a different language. And they were trying to get him to admit that he committed a crime. And they kept going back to say, because he was like, I'm confused. And he goes, well, remember you said yes to being arrested. So now I'm asking you, did you commit it? So he was trying to bait him into saying that he committed the crime.

And thank God I was at that interview because sometimes they choose not to have me there. And I was like, remember, you can't determine if you committed a crime. Only a judge can.

And thank God I was at that interview because sometimes they choose not to have me there. And I was like, remember, you can't determine if you committed a crime. Only a judge can.

There's no way you can get a work permit. You have to get married. That's about it. So if you're coming here with your whole family, you're sort of screwed. Like there's really no avenue for you. And that's been the problem since like the 80s. We don't have comprehensive immigration reform.

There's no way you can get a work permit. You have to get married. That's about it. So if you're coming here with your whole family, you're sort of screwed. Like there's really no avenue for you. And that's been the problem since like the 80s. We don't have comprehensive immigration reform.

I mean, sometimes like, you know, I have to fly out, which is fine. But sometimes they're like they have easy cases. So it's like they don't have any criminal history. They're like, it's not really necessary. We can't say a lot at these interviews. But sometimes they choose to have me there. Sometimes they're like, I don't need you there because they have an easy case. And I'll tell them.

I mean, sometimes like, you know, I have to fly out, which is fine. But sometimes they're like they have easy cases. So it's like they don't have any criminal history. They're like, it's not really necessary. We can't say a lot at these interviews. But sometimes they choose to have me there. Sometimes they're like, I don't need you there because they have an easy case. And I'll tell them.

I'll be like, you're going to get approved. But some of these, like with criminal history, like I want to be there for that reason because I know what some of these officers are doing. It also depends on where you're interviewing at. If you're interviewing in Dallas, I'm going to be there. You know, if you're interviewing in Portland, Oregon, I probably don't need to be there.

I'll be like, you're going to get approved. But some of these, like with criminal history, like I want to be there for that reason because I know what some of these officers are doing. It also depends on where you're interviewing at. If you're interviewing in Dallas, I'm going to be there. You know, if you're interviewing in Portland, Oregon, I probably don't need to be there.

They're probably going to be fair.

They're probably going to be fair.

Is it? Yeah. Like if you're in the South, yeah. Odds are against you already, even if you have an easy case. I've seen that a lot, especially under Trump. You know, because like USCIS, the governing agency for like approvals for green cards, their boss is Trump. So I don't know if you follow like USCIS or Border Patrol on Instagram. No. It's like it's crazy. Like their posts are so racist.

Is it? Yeah. Like if you're in the South, yeah. Odds are against you already, even if you have an easy case. I've seen that a lot, especially under Trump. You know, because like USCIS, the governing agency for like approvals for green cards, their boss is Trump. So I don't know if you follow like USCIS or Border Patrol on Instagram. No. It's like it's crazy. Like their posts are so racist.

They're so crazy. And under Biden, they would be like, apply for naturalization. Let's celebrate immigrants. And now it's like, get out. It's like all those ad campaigns.

They're so crazy. And under Biden, they would be like, apply for naturalization. Let's celebrate immigrants. And now it's like, get out. It's like all those ad campaigns.

Government agency was supposed to be an unbiased adjudicator. And they're posting like celebrating arresting people at their interview at a green card. So, yeah, they posted it.

Government agency was supposed to be an unbiased adjudicator. And they're posting like celebrating arresting people at their interview at a green card. So, yeah, they posted it.

Yeah. When they were celebrating someone coming in to apply for a green card at an interview and ICE came in and detained them and arrested them, they posted a picture and put it on their actual government Instagram page.

Yeah. When they were celebrating someone coming in to apply for a green card at an interview and ICE came in and detained them and arrested them, they posted a picture and put it on their actual government Instagram page.

Advocating people on how to get a green card, educating people who are hateful about immigrants on how immigration works, how difficult legal immigration is, who immigrants are, putting a name to the face, you know, like...

Advocating people on how to get a green card, educating people who are hateful about immigrants on how immigration works, how difficult legal immigration is, who immigrants are, putting a name to the face, you know, like...

explaining that or a face to name, like explaining like how much they contribute to the economy, how they aren't criminals, like how good of a person you have to be to be vetted through the system as it is. And just really like the power of education, I think you can reach a lot of people if they're willing to understand it and they're willing to hear it. And it has to be controversial.

explaining that or a face to name, like explaining like how much they contribute to the economy, how they aren't criminals, like how good of a person you have to be to be vetted through the system as it is. And just really like the power of education, I think you can reach a lot of people if they're willing to understand it and they're willing to hear it. And it has to be controversial.

That's the only way it goes viral, right? Like when you really put it simply for them with numbers to show like how wrong they are, they're not gonna like it, but it'll still go viral and it'll reach a lot of people either way. So what I say is I was like, my first line will be like, You don't think immigrants contribute?

That's the only way it goes viral, right? Like when you really put it simply for them with numbers to show like how wrong they are, they're not gonna like it, but it'll still go viral and it'll reach a lot of people either way. So what I say is I was like, my first line will be like, You don't think immigrants contribute?

And then I'll list all the ways that they contribute with numbers, just simple numbers. Like how much they contributed, how much, how estimated, how much money it's going to be, the estimated cost of deportation compared to how much they contribute. So I think that's crazy, right?

And then I'll list all the ways that they contribute with numbers, just simple numbers. Like how much they contributed, how much, how estimated, how much money it's going to be, the estimated cost of deportation compared to how much they contribute. So I think that's crazy, right?

And this is what people don't know. There's another good idea for a video. Immigrants actually have constitutional rights. And my comments will always be like, you're wrong. And I'm like, okay. But if you look up the Constitution, it doesn't specify that you need legal status to be entitled to those rights.

And this is what people don't know. There's another good idea for a video. Immigrants actually have constitutional rights. And my comments will always be like, you're wrong. And I'm like, okay. But if you look up the Constitution, it doesn't specify that you need legal status to be entitled to those rights.

So, I mean, you either come here through an employer, which is very competitive. You have to be in a lottery system for like an employment based visa that will eventually turn into a green card. You have to have a certain degree. It's usually like engineers from like Asia and India brought over by like tech companies or you come here through family. Right. So you get married to a U.S.

So, I mean, you either come here through an employer, which is very competitive. You have to be in a lottery system for like an employment based visa that will eventually turn into a green card. You have to have a certain degree. It's usually like engineers from like Asia and India brought over by like tech companies or you come here through family. Right. So you get married to a U.S.

So as long as you're physically in the United States, you're entitled to certain constitutional rights. And the most important one is due process, which means you're entitled to your day in court. You're entitled for a judge to analyze your case and determine if you're actually deportable or not.

So as long as you're physically in the United States, you're entitled to certain constitutional rights. And the most important one is due process, which means you're entitled to your day in court. You're entitled for a judge to analyze your case and determine if you're actually deportable or not.

right so they were using military planes which cost i think 20 000 an hour they don't need to use military planes by the way they're doing that for show um because it's all about media they spent all that money sending them to cuba and then they figured out they couldn't afford it so they they quietly shipped all them back a couple weeks ago and now they're in like alabama or something

right so they were using military planes which cost i think 20 000 an hour they don't need to use military planes by the way they're doing that for show um because it's all about media they spent all that money sending them to cuba and then they figured out they couldn't afford it so they they quietly shipped all them back a couple weeks ago and now they're in like alabama or something

What was the point? You wasted so much money to send them to Cuba for what? To just to send them back? And who paid for that? We did. Taxpayers pay for that. And this is like his supporters are all about money, right? I think. But they're like immigrants cost us. That's their whole rhetoric is that they take from us. Actually, like Trump is taking from us to deport them.

What was the point? You wasted so much money to send them to Cuba for what? To just to send them back? And who paid for that? We did. Taxpayers pay for that. And this is like his supporters are all about money, right? I think. But they're like immigrants cost us. That's their whole rhetoric is that they take from us. Actually, like Trump is taking from us to deport them.

Yeah, while he's golfing in Mar-a-Lago. But if you put numbers to them, they just don't want to hear it. They don't want to understand it because it's not what they've been told. They don't want to hear it. And that's the craziest part. But sometimes I'll just do videos like that.

Yeah, while he's golfing in Mar-a-Lago. But if you put numbers to them, they just don't want to hear it. They don't want to understand it because it's not what they've been told. They don't want to hear it. And that's the craziest part. But sometimes I'll just do videos like that.

I'm like, hey, here's a breakdown, by the way, of how much it costs you and taxpayers to literally the most useless, pointless deportation. There's no reason to use military planes, $20,000 an hour. There's no reason to send them to Guantanamo Bay.

I'm like, hey, here's a breakdown, by the way, of how much it costs you and taxpayers to literally the most useless, pointless deportation. There's no reason to use military planes, $20,000 an hour. There's no reason to send them to Guantanamo Bay.

So the whole point of that executive order by that judge when he stopped Trump from utilizing the Alien Enemies Act is because he's like, I don't even know if these people are deportable. I don't know if they're criminals. Some of them may be. I still need to determine if they're deportable. I need to give them a removal order.

So the whole point of that executive order by that judge when he stopped Trump from utilizing the Alien Enemies Act is because he's like, I don't even know if these people are deportable. I don't know if they're criminals. Some of them may be. I still need to determine if they're deportable. I need to give them a removal order.

You will explain exactly how much money we're wasting on this mass deportation efforts. And it's like you're speaking another language. They don't want to hear it. They don't want to open their mind to it. I think they have to lose so much money to understand. It has to affect them personally until they see it and make the connection that they're losing money themselves. They won't understand it.

You will explain exactly how much money we're wasting on this mass deportation efforts. And it's like you're speaking another language. They don't want to hear it. They don't want to open their mind to it. I think they have to lose so much money to understand. It has to affect them personally until they see it and make the connection that they're losing money themselves. They won't understand it.

I have some friends in our neighborhood. They'll call me and be like, hey, so how do I keep my nanny from being deported? But they voted for Trump.

I have some friends in our neighborhood. They'll call me and be like, hey, so how do I keep my nanny from being deported? But they voted for Trump.

They don't get paid enough. Yeah, that does happen. A lot of exploitation. And a lot of these people who are anti-immigrant, they'll be like, so you're advocating, you want to keep immigrants here, so you're advocating for slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones doing the slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones calling me being like, how do I keep my nanny and how much do I have to pay her?

They don't get paid enough. Yeah, that does happen. A lot of exploitation. And a lot of these people who are anti-immigrant, they'll be like, so you're advocating, you want to keep immigrants here, so you're advocating for slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones doing the slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones calling me being like, how do I keep my nanny and how much do I have to pay her?

citizen, 90 day fiance kind of situation. Right. or you have your parents have status, they bring you over here. But that's it. You can't really earn your way to legal status.

citizen, 90 day fiance kind of situation. Right. or you have your parents have status, they bring you over here. But that's it. You can't really earn your way to legal status.

Is it a lot? How do I keep her from being deported? But I voted to get her deported. And a lot of these people vote with their own interests in mind.

Is it a lot? How do I keep her from being deported? But I voted to get her deported. And a lot of these people vote with their own interests in mind.

And Trump just actually got rid of the refugee program entirely. And he also stopped their green card applications from being approved. He paused all of them. So they've been approved refugee status. The government has approved their asylum status, which is very hard because about 95 percent of asylum cases get denied. And now he's like, actually, you can't get a green card. Why?

And Trump just actually got rid of the refugee program entirely. And he also stopped their green card applications from being approved. He paused all of them. So they've been approved refugee status. The government has approved their asylum status, which is very hard because about 95 percent of asylum cases get denied. And now he's like, actually, you can't get a green card. Why?

We already vetted them. You can't have a criminal history and get approved for asylum. You have to work. You get work authorization. You have to pay taxes to get asylum. What's the point? And he paused that because he was like, I don't know. We need to vet them more. We need to look for more fraud. It's just... It's incomprehensible. It's unreal. So now they can't get green cards. They're stuck.

We already vetted them. You can't have a criminal history and get approved for asylum. You have to work. You get work authorization. You have to pay taxes to get asylum. What's the point? And he paused that because he was like, I don't know. We need to vet them more. We need to look for more fraud. It's just... It's incomprehensible. It's unreal. So now they can't get green cards. They're stuck.

They're in limbo. But he has done that with a lot of people with temporary protective status. So Biden did these programs where depending on how dangerous the country, their home country was, he would give people parole into the country and work authorization for like two years. And typically a president would keep renewing it. Um, but Trump just like ended all those programs.

They're in limbo. But he has done that with a lot of people with temporary protective status. So Biden did these programs where depending on how dangerous the country, their home country was, he would give people parole into the country and work authorization for like two years. And typically a president would keep renewing it. Um, but Trump just like ended all those programs.

So Biden allowed all these people to come in legally. Um, and they've been working, they've been paying taxes and Trump just gave them until like April 24th to leave. He gave them 30 days and then you're like, you're deportable. So like they've set up shot here. They have, they have a life here. They work. They, some of them have bought homes. Right. Um, but now they're just gone.

So Biden allowed all these people to come in legally. Um, and they've been working, they've been paying taxes and Trump just gave them until like April 24th to leave. He gave them 30 days and then you're like, you're deportable. So like they've set up shot here. They have, they have a life here. They work. They, some of them have bought homes. Right. Um, but now they're just gone.

No. I didn't know that you couldn't just earn your way here and just like apply for it. Right. And I think that's the problem is a lot of people think they say, why not just come here legally? And they don't understand.

No. I didn't know that you couldn't just earn your way here and just like apply for it. Right. And I think that's the problem is a lot of people think they say, why not just come here legally? And they don't understand.

That's how bad our system is. It's a, most of it is so temporary and it can be ripped away from you. Right. depending on who's president. They just change it.

That's how bad our system is. It's a, most of it is so temporary and it can be ripped away from you. Right. depending on who's president. They just change it.

It's like a Venn diagram. Like you can't just apply. You can't?

It's like a Venn diagram. Like you can't just apply. You can't?

Thank you so much for having me.

Thank you so much for having me.

You have to have either an employer sponsor you after proving that you have a master's degree or a graduate degree. The employer has to prove that they tried to get the job to everybody else in the United States and they couldn't find someone to fit it. So it's a lot. The employer has to say, I literally could not find an American citizen that's eligible for this job.

You have to have either an employer sponsor you after proving that you have a master's degree or a graduate degree. The employer has to prove that they tried to get the job to everybody else in the United States and they couldn't find someone to fit it. So it's a lot. The employer has to say, I literally could not find an American citizen that's eligible for this job.

So then they petition for someone from another country. And it's usually because they're more educated. They know more than one language. They work twice as hard as Americans. Let's be real, right? If you're an employer, you want to hire an immigrant. And so you bring them over here. But that even takes years. That can take like five to seven years, right? Or you get married, right?

So then they petition for someone from another country. And it's usually because they're more educated. They know more than one language. They work twice as hard as Americans. Let's be real, right? If you're an employer, you want to hire an immigrant. And so you bring them over here. But that even takes years. That can take like five to seven years, right? Or you get married, right?

You get married to a U.S. citizen.

You get married to a U.S. citizen.

Yeah. You have to prove that your marriage is real and that you're not committing marriage fraud, right? Because that does happen. Like marriage fraud does happen. And I think it happens because people really just want to come here and they can't. It's like nepotism. Like why do you have to marry into citizenship? Like everyone's saying –

Yeah. You have to prove that your marriage is real and that you're not committing marriage fraud, right? Because that does happen. Like marriage fraud does happen. And I think it happens because people really just want to come here and they can't. It's like nepotism. Like why do you have to marry into citizenship? Like everyone's saying –

earn your right to be here, contribute to the economy, then we'll welcome you here. Why don't we give them the opportunity to do that? Why do you have to get married? It's so backwards.

earn your right to be here, contribute to the economy, then we'll welcome you here. Why don't we give them the opportunity to do that? Why do you have to get married? It's so backwards.

I don't know the statistics, but I know that it's way less than actual American citizens, like way less.

I don't know the statistics, but I know that it's way less than actual American citizens, like way less.

Why would you come here to commit crimes like that rhetoric that they just come here to commit crimes? You could do that in your home country a lot easier.

Why would you come here to commit crimes like that rhetoric that they just come here to commit crimes? You could do that in your home country a lot easier.

But that's the problem. A lot of Americans are uneducated, right? Yeah.

But that's the problem. A lot of Americans are uneducated, right? Yeah.

Right.

Right.

Oh, they're already fucked. Like farms, farms and like Bakersfield in California, like all of their employees are gone. They're reporting that they're stressing. They're stressing to the Trump administration. They're like, why are you doing this? Because of all these ICE raids, I've lost half of my employees.

Oh, they're already fucked. Like farms, farms and like Bakersfield in California, like all of their employees are gone. They're reporting that they're stressing. They're stressing to the Trump administration. They're like, why are you doing this? Because of all these ICE raids, I've lost half of my employees.

The state of Florida, I don't know if you've heard about this, but they're considering some kind of proposal to lower the age of child labor. Because they're losing all of their employees because they're scaring them away with ICE raids.

The state of Florida, I don't know if you've heard about this, but they're considering some kind of proposal to lower the age of child labor. Because they're losing all of their employees because they're scaring them away with ICE raids.

So Ron DeSantis was like, well, why don't we mess with the child labor law so that they can work overnight shifts during the school week so that they can actually lower the age of being eligible to work? Because we don't have anybody else to do it.

So Ron DeSantis was like, well, why don't we mess with the child labor law so that they can work overnight shifts during the school week so that they can actually lower the age of being eligible to work? Because we don't have anybody else to do it.

So yeah, good luck with that. Yeah. I mean, they obviously weren't thinking about their economy. But that's the problem is that someone like Ron DeSantis is not thinking with his brain or his wallet even. And you would think that he would think about you. They usually vote with their wallet in mind. But with this proposal, you're just thinking with hatred. You're just racist, right?

So yeah, good luck with that. Yeah. I mean, they obviously weren't thinking about their economy. But that's the problem is that someone like Ron DeSantis is not thinking with his brain or his wallet even. And you would think that he would think about you. They usually vote with their wallet in mind. But with this proposal, you're just thinking with hatred. You're just racist, right?

I mean, why are you scaring away immigrants who literally make your economy survivable? Children are not going to have these jobs. They're not going to work as hard. But logic is not a thing with these kind of people. They have so much hatred and ignorance in their hearts that they're not thinking about like, oh, you know, immigrants are better for their economy.

I mean, why are you scaring away immigrants who literally make your economy survivable? Children are not going to have these jobs. They're not going to work as hard. But logic is not a thing with these kind of people. They have so much hatred and ignorance in their hearts that they're not thinking about like, oh, you know, immigrants are better for their economy.

They're just like, I want them out because they're brown.

They're just like, I want them out because they're brown.

Sure. Yeah. So I mean, when I was in law school, or when I was in college, actually, I went to school with a lot of undocumented immigrants in LA. And I really got to know them.

Sure. Yeah. So I mean, when I was in law school, or when I was in college, actually, I went to school with a lot of undocumented immigrants in LA. And I really got to know them.

Yeah. I mean, and that was kind of my whole brand is like the legal field is so conservative and it's built towards white men, white conservative men. Right. So a lot of the women that have been, you know, that are in the field are, I call them pick me.

Yeah. I mean, and that was kind of my whole brand is like the legal field is so conservative and it's built towards white men, white conservative men. Right. So a lot of the women that have been, you know, that are in the field are, I call them pick me.

I didn't really know anything about immigration until I met someone that I was involved with, you know, like whether it was my friends or my classmates or my coworkers, I really learned about their stories and I kind of became more empathetic and understanding to how they got here and why they were undocumented. So I was definitely interested.

I didn't really know anything about immigration until I met someone that I was involved with, you know, like whether it was my friends or my classmates or my coworkers, I really learned about their stories and I kind of became more empathetic and understanding to how they got here and why they were undocumented. So I was definitely interested.

It's like a lot of female lawyers are still trying to fit in so that they can take and they can be taken seriously by male judges and male partners. Right. And so they don't want to be as feminine where I'm like the opposite where like I'm like I'm going to embrace it. We need to change the field of law.

It's like a lot of female lawyers are still trying to fit in so that they can take and they can be taken seriously by male judges and male partners. Right. And so they don't want to be as feminine where I'm like the opposite where like I'm like I'm going to embrace it. We need to change the field of law.

Like I want to be living proof that like you can look a certain way and just totally surprise people and be good at your job and win cases in court.

Like I want to be living proof that like you can look a certain way and just totally surprise people and be good at your job and win cases in court.

Like real life Elle Woods. Yeah. Yeah.

Like real life Elle Woods. Yeah. Yeah.

literally but like you know it's interesting like what you said I kind of want to go back to like people might like have a different perspective or take you more seriously because of like your race it's true so a lot of my followers oddly are like old white men and I don't know why and I look at my analytics and I don't it doesn't make sense because all I do is like I am so liberal all I do is like

literally but like you know it's interesting like what you said I kind of want to go back to like people might like have a different perspective or take you more seriously because of like your race it's true so a lot of my followers oddly are like old white men and I don't know why and I look at my analytics and I don't it doesn't make sense because all I do is like I am so liberal all I do is like

immigration content at this point I barely even do anything else but I think it's because they saw me they're like oh she's someone I can relate to I can trust she has blonde hair blue eyes and she's a lawyer so like maybe I'm interested in what she's saying and maybe that's why you know like and then they turn around they call me a traitor so I'm like oh because so they initially trusted me for some reason right and then they're like why would someone like her advocate so hard for immigrants right and

immigration content at this point I barely even do anything else but I think it's because they saw me they're like oh she's someone I can relate to I can trust she has blonde hair blue eyes and she's a lawyer so like maybe I'm interested in what she's saying and maybe that's why you know like and then they turn around they call me a traitor so I'm like oh because so they initially trusted me for some reason right and then they're like why would someone like her advocate so hard for immigrants right and

So at least I got them in the door and maybe some of them I've changed their minds. Like I do get some comments that like, I'll post about certain cases, case studies and some of my cases and some of my Asylee clients that I went and I'll tell their stories on like a get ready with me video. And they'll be like, I had no idea it worked like that. So I'm like,

So at least I got them in the door and maybe some of them I've changed their minds. Like I do get some comments that like, I'll post about certain cases, case studies and some of my cases and some of my Asylee clients that I went and I'll tell their stories on like a get ready with me video. And they'll be like, I had no idea it worked like that. So I'm like,

Maybe like you are the person like you can change their minds because they're not – these type of people are probably not following like immigration attorneys or immigration advocates who are like not white, who don't look like them, right?

Maybe like you are the person like you can change their minds because they're not – these type of people are probably not following like immigration attorneys or immigration advocates who are like not white, who don't look like them, right?

I haven't seen any ICE. I haven't heard of any ICE raids at schools. Okay. So here's what's going on. What the Trump administration is doing is he promised mass deportation to all of his base, which is 11 million people. Not going to happen, right? Right. So what he's doing is he's fear-mongering a lot to rely on people to self-deport so that his numbers can match his promises.

I haven't seen any ICE. I haven't heard of any ICE raids at schools. Okay. So here's what's going on. What the Trump administration is doing is he promised mass deportation to all of his base, which is 11 million people. Not going to happen, right? Right. So what he's doing is he's fear-mongering a lot to rely on people to self-deport so that his numbers can match his promises.

So he's doing all these commercials. Have you seen the bizarre commercials? No. They're like, you need to leave this country now or else. And they're also like, why would you put billions of dollars into commercials? I thought you were doing ice raids. Which one is it? Either do it or do some BS commercial that no one's going to buy. Right. They're also doing something called registration.

So he's doing all these commercials. Have you seen the bizarre commercials? No. They're like, you need to leave this country now or else. And they're also like, why would you put billions of dollars into commercials? I thought you were doing ice raids. Which one is it? Either do it or do some BS commercial that no one's going to buy. Right. They're also doing something called registration.

And then I worked randomly at a family law firm and a lot of my clients, I did a lot of CPS cases because it was just a job that I got, right? And then they would ask me like, hey, can you help me out on my green card or on my DACA? You're already my lawyer. And I was like, sure. And then the more I did it, the more I loved immigration because I became a happy lawyer.

And then I worked randomly at a family law firm and a lot of my clients, I did a lot of CPS cases because it was just a job that I got, right? And then they would ask me like, hey, can you help me out on my green card or on my DACA? You're already my lawyer. And I was like, sure. And then the more I did it, the more I loved immigration because I became a happy lawyer.

I don't know if you heard of that, but they're like, you need to sign up if you're undocumented or you will face criminal penalties. It's not a crime to be undocumented.

I don't know if you heard of that, but they're like, you need to sign up if you're undocumented or you will face criminal penalties. It's not a crime to be undocumented.

Right. No one wants to hear that, by the way.

No one. Is it unethical? It's a civil violation, which is the same thing as jaywalking, not paying your parking ticket, landlord dispute. White people do that every day. Right. And no one has a problem with that because they're white. Right. Do you really care about it? Sometimes I'm like, do they really care that someone's here without documentation? Do they? I don't know.

I think they do because they think they don't contribute to society. Yeah, they think they're taking something from them. Correct. Because they want to live off the government. They don't want anybody else to. And that's who's living off of these government programs are white people. Yeah, I would agree with that. So they're like, you're taking from my Medicaid.

And they're like, you need to earn your right to be here. But they're not earning it.

Stupid people on Facebook.

So I mean – so if you're hiring a lawyer for like a marriage-based case, it depends on like whether you have a criminal history, how you enter the country. But on average, it's going to be anywhere between like probably – It could be anywhere between like $4,000 and $15,000, right? And so that's just like lawyer's fees typically.

If you're in removal proceedings, like they're actively deporting you, it could probably be a lot more than that, like twice that much. So it kind of depends on your case. But then the government has filing fees, right? So applications have like sometimes like $1,100 filing fees. And that's only one of the four applications that you have to file. So, I mean, you have to have a lot of money.

But like that's another misconception is they think immigrants don't have money. They always pay. They always have money saved because they're hard workers and they're financially responsible. Like they don't come here just with no money, you know. And when I was a family law attorney representing rich, petty, divorced couples, like they wouldn't pay me. But like immigrants always pay in full.

When you're a family lawyer, you're a not so happy lawyer. I've heard. You're dealing with like litigious divorces and CPS. And, you know, it's really hard and really stressful. But then I started making people happy. I would get them green cards. And I also fell in love with like immigrants as like as people, as clients, because I They're the best clients.

Yeah.

Because they they're responsible and they work really hard. But like and they're just they're not entitled, you know, entitled people treat their lawyers horribly and they're usually cheap about it. But like my clients are never entitled and they're so easy to work with.

Yeah. So because they're coming here, it's immigration law. It's federal over every state. But because they're coming here, it's sort of like just federal immigration law. So it doesn't matter where you are. You're still working with the American embassy.

Yeah. So you're not really dealing with their jurisdiction in their country.

Oh, yeah. I mean, it's hard. It's definitely hard. I have to be very general. So I'm like, like, you know, on my bio, I said, this is not legally legal advice, you know, but people don't really know what legal advice is. Right. They assume that everything's legal advice. A legal advice would be like specifically talking to one person about their case and like telling them what to do. Right.

So, I mean, my topics, I just try to be really like general. Lately, I've had a lot of content because it's all breaking news. All of it's breaking news. All of it's breaking news. So I just kind of like break news down now at this point because it's like I don't really have to educate people anymore. People are very educated on the internet about immigration now thankfully.

But they're not educated about all the – I mean it's a very humbling career for me because it's like the – A new president comes in and changes everything. And now I have to relearn my like all of immigration law. Right. So I'm getting these new executive orders because Trump writes them every five seconds every time someone offends him and he writes a new executive order.

And then I have to analyze it and be like, OK, this is what this means. It's not that serious. Someone's going to file a lawsuit. They probably already did with the ACLU and a judge is going to block it. So I'll post on it later.

They're written temper tantrums for this president. That's for sure. I swear like every time he's mad, he just wrote one about how he's going after immigration and civil rights lawyers because they keep filing lawsuits to stop his executive orders. And he's like, we're going to sanction you and discipline you. Like for what? Doing our job? Like we don't owe you anything. It's anything you got.

know more than he does.

They're so grateful, so humble, so kind, and so hardworking. Meeting people from all walks of life, you learn so much from them that I'm like, this is why I'm a lawyer. This is how I want to spend all my time is helping people like this.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. So when I got fired from a firm that was very conservative where they didn't specifically tell me I was fired for wearing pink, but they kind of bullied me out and subtly told me that I didn't fit in and I wasn't getting taken seriously. I just didn't fit in. I was like, I'm going to practice.

I'm going to maybe do some cases on my own for now because I had a baby at home and I had another one on the way and it was the pandemic. Then my husband's like, We have like the storage room in our townhouse in Portland. And he was like, let me turn this into a little office. I was like, okay. Like I couldn't even afford it. Like I couldn't afford a nanny.

So my kids were, we did like a baby gate and it was like a pink carpet. And I just like worked there. And then we painted like the wall pink so I could do some content. And, you know, it was cool. I started doing immigration. I really liked it. But I didn't really like I never actually expected to like blow up with my firm. I expected to be very small.

But because of TikTok, I swear I just got on at the right time early 2021. And I was like, you know what? no one really knows about immigration. Like it's just not common. No one knows that you can get a green card from being a victim of a crime. I was like, so I really want to post about that and see if I can help people by educating them. So I posted TikTok. I was really scared.

And then it went viral and I just posted more and I got so many calls and I was like, I have to hire people. You know, you have to play catch up. Right. So then I, you know, hired more people and it's still entirely virtual. So all, I think we have about 45 employees, all of them work from home. So I have little like, yeah.

Because most of them are like moms and students and parents. And so I wanted to stay in that pandemic friendly kind of workplace because I really liked working from home because I had kids. And I was like, no one has to go to an office with immigration. All of it's like virtual anyway. Right. Yeah.

So I have satellite offices where I work and I meet clients, but all of my staff, they work from home and it's like, it's very mom friendly. We have a lot of moms like, and a lot of people who are in school or they can't afford like, you know, to drive the office every day. It's really inconvenient. So we have little satellite pink offices everywhere. But all of them actually work from home.

And you just had this idea to do it that way or it just kind of played out that way? It kind of played out that way. And we had thought about, like, do we want to do a big in-person office? But, like, my best employees work all over the country.

Yeah. I mean, it's huge. Cause like, you know, with, with my husband, he's sort of the opposite of how he was raised. He was like, you know, he was born in Mexico and his family was very conservative and a little bit like machista, right? Like traditional, like his mom is that way. But he's like the opposite. He is like, he was the one that told me to make pink my brand.

He was, cause we're designing, like I was doing my own like DIY website with like wigs. Yeah. And I was using like Google photos that I shouldn't be using of like an American flag. It was horrible. And he was like, you know what? Why don't you just make it all pink? And I was like, that's why I got fired. I can't do that.

And he was like, he's like, do you think your clients care if your website's pink? And I was like, No, probably not. Only the men that I worked for gave a shit about me wearing pink, right? And I think it's because they were bad at their job and I was better and they didn't like that I didn't look like them and I was better at their job.

Yeah, I'm a woman. Like they just couldn't stand it. Is your husband also in law? No, he's an engineer.

He wears pink. He bought a pink suit. Like he's so like, he does not care. Like he was like, and then I was, I was, I was like, how do I, I want to do my first billboard. And he was like, you're going to do bright pink. And I was like in Dallas, which is very conservative. Right. Cause you know, all the billboards in Dallas are like Texas hammer or like these PI attorneys. Camo.

And he was like, I'm going to make yours all pink. And he was like, no one's going to miss that. I'm like, that's, that's for sure.

Yeah. And like the, it's funny. Cause like half of my clients are women. Cause there are a lot of marriage based cases. Right. And the women are typically here or they're in other countries and other countries, or they're seeing my billboards or they're seeing my brand or, and they followed me because they just liked the pink and they're like, I could totally relate to that. Like I'm a girly girl.

I work in engineering. I work in this field where like I really want to wear pink, but I feel like I can't. And I love that you're doing it because I don't feel brave enough to do it. So I kind of like live vicariously through you. Right. Yeah. So then they're like, I trust her. Yeah. I relate to her. So I want to hire her. Yeah.

And I think I seem more relatable to like the clients that way, you know, because like a lot of attorneys are very buttoned up, very conservative and they're kind of mean. Yes.

You feel like you could relate to, you trust.

It's very misogynistic. The manager that I had that fired me at my first firm, he had taken the bar like five times. He should not have been the lawyer. Can you take it five times? Apparently in Texas. And so when I passed, I remember the look on his face. He was like, I didn't think you'd pass. He literally told me that. Why? Because of the way you look? Oh, for sure.

But he wasn't going to admit it. And he like really liked me. Like he was really helpful to me until I passed the bar. Shut up. And then he was like,

trying to get me fired telling on me for every mistake I made like he just couldn't handle the thought of me taking his job and I knew it and that was like a lot of male lawyers that I worked for they were like that and I can't stand it like but a lot of it is I get hate from a lot of female lawyers too because

I call them pick-me's they're just playing the game they want to be liked by those men too so they're like what is she doing she sets us back because we're trying to be taken seriously and I almost don't blame them you know but then they're on like Facebook groups and Reddit they're like she's so cringe like no one will take her seriously I think it's because they they can't do it they can't pull it off because they don't own their own firms and that's what a lot of women do is they end up just having their own firms they you they don't make partner as often as men because they're like you know they're not respected for their time with their children

you know? Um, and, and they can't be themselves and they're like, screw it. I'm just going to like make my own table, which is exactly what I had to do.

I just want to grow as much as possible because I really like, I don't have to, but I really like employing women. Yeah. And I want to help more women out and I want to give them more jobs. And I really like being a business owner and having a team. I'm sure you feel the same way.

I mean, they're little boys. They're insane.

They're immigrants.

Yeah. It's like, you know, we went on a vacation a couple of weeks ago and they were saying how grateful they were. My kids were like, thank you daddy for bringing us to the hotel. And he goes, you need to thank mommy. And I was like, that's so nice. I'll cry right now. Right. You know, I, that is wow. That's so nice. Right.

Cause he, and he looked at me and I feel bad cause I work all the time vacation. And I was like, are you mad? Cause my, my dad would always get mad at my mom for doing the same thing. And he was like, no, he was like, You taking these calls is like the reason why we have these privileges. And he was like, I'll never stop you. Like, that's what you want to do.

You know what I think it is? I think the people who are very anti-immigration is because they've never been an immigrant. They live in small areas where there's just not a lot of diversity. They just don't know. They're ignorant because of that. And so instead of putting a face behind the name of an immigrant, they kind of see them – we call it the boogeyman theory.

I'll never make you feel uncomfortable for like doing what you want to do and helping so many people. I'm like, how did I get so lucky?

What is that? Yeah. So I think it's like a business company in Texas. And they kind of, I think they evaluate based on your reviews and your notoriety and how clients see you, which is really cool because a lot of other lawyer awards are mostly about like how other lawyers feel about you. And not a lot of lawyers like me. Yeah. I don't get those awards, but I like getting like business awards.

I get a lot more awards and recognition based on my social media platform or like my clients. And those are the people I care about as my followers, my clients. I don't really care about other lawyers.

So I don't really care about people who I'm competing with.

And I, and sometimes like I'll be at like, I'll reach out to other lawyers and I'll be like, you know, whatever I can do to help you, I'll see like younger lawyers or female lawyers and, And the younger ones are pretty nice to me. They follow me. They're cool with social media. It's the older ones.

And you kind of expect that because they're like, I had to go to school where I had to act like a bully. I had to act like a man. I had to look a certain way. You don't have to do that. I think they're resentful of younger lawyers for doing that. There's a whole discussion on TikTok about whether lawyers should be content creators because a lot of lawyers are like, don't do it.

You're going to get fired. Your clients are going to take you seriously. And the younger lawyers are like, we need to change this. Like we need to be able to make money off of content and have some kind of like artistic side of our life because the practice of law is so like, you know, stressful. Like, why can't we have that? You know?

Jasmine Crockett talked about it a lot. where they don't know immigrants, so they kind of look at them as criminals, like not humans, right? They're like, you come here to commit crimes. That's what I heard on Facebook in my small town in Idaho, and that's how I'm going to believe.

Yeah. And that's the legal field. It's very – the way it is, it's like if you don't go to a top 20 school, then you don't work in big law, which is the really big firms. It's very conservative. And then you end up being, like, a slave to them. You get paid a lot of money. But it's a very elitist, like – profession. And I want to be the complete opposite of that. I want to be relatable.

My clients have my cell phone number. I want to go out to drinks with them. I want to be their BFF because I'm working so hard for them. I want them to trust me. And I also want them to see me as a human because sometimes when it's so stressful, I want them to know that I'm just a human being and I'm working really hard.

And I want them to see how much I care about them versus these buttoned up lawyers who are just like assholes to their clients.

And you'll put so many facts in front of them, so many statistics, and they just won't hear it because they don't really want to. They've already decided. So I think it's like just pure ignorance. Like, but you're, it's so crazy if you really think about it, like immigrants or not, you have to understand why immigrants come here, right?

It's very stressful for the client. They're going through so much and they're so scared right now because that's what the president's doing is trying to scare them. My job is to be there for them and to kind of have thicker skin and just to walk them through it. And from what I figured out is as much communication as possible.

I've worked with lawyers who they very much limit their conversation with their clients. And they're like, I don't want to talk to them. I don't want to talk to them. Like, I don't want them to use it against me. And I'm like, they're paying you so much money to change their lives. Talk to them. Call them on the phone. like be their therapist.

Like we should be, you know, we're changing their lives and they're paying us good money. Like we need to make it worthwhile.

Very cool. Yeah. I mean, I feel like those awards, like I definitely the face, but honestly, my team is the reason why we're successful. So we have like 45 employees and they work day and night and they're not the face, like I'm the face. So I do get more recognition, but it's really because of them. Like they work so hard.

No. Sometimes you have to look into the criminal history. When you're looking at a client, can I get you the green card with criminal history? It depends on the criminal laws in that state that they were convicted in or arrested in. There's this crazy rule in immigration where You don't have to be convicted of a crime for immigration to use it against you.

They come here to contribute and to provide for their family, right? Because they can't do it at home. They're unable to either for safety reasons, the economy, whatever. They come here to literally to work. Literally to work. Yeah. So when they hire me, they're like, I just want a work permit. And because of the way that the immigration system is now, I can't give it to them. I'm like, I'm sorry.

So if you've been wrongfully arrested and then DA dropped the charges, if they have a reason to believe that you committed that crime, they could use it against you. which is crazy. That's like essentially double jeopardy though. Right. So I have to go into that interview with them and be like, do not admit it.

I was in an interview where they asked you, the interview asked her, this client, he was like, did you get arrested of this crime? And he goes, yes. Then he goes, did you commit the crime? And he kind of looked at me and I was like, and he didn't know what to say. And I was like, he didn't commit the crime. I prepped him for this. He just got wrongfully arrested. Right.

But the officer was trying to trick him into saying that he committed the crime so he could use it against him and deny him. Right. But he didn't. He never committed the crime. He was wrongfully arrested. They dropped the charges for a reason. So then I looked at him and I was like, remember, the only one who could determine whether you committed a crime or not is a judge in a criminal court.

Not you. You can't determine that. So answer the question thinking about that. An officer looked at me like she was pissed.

And I was like, you're not trying to get my client to lie.

I did a whole thesis in law school on her.

I'm obsessed with Amanda Knox.

Yeah. In a different language. And they were trying to get him to admit that he committed a crime. And they kept going back to say, because he was like, I'm confused. And he goes, well, remember you said yes to being arrested. So now I'm asking you, did you commit it? So he was trying to bait him into saying that he committed the crime.

And thank God I was at that interview because sometimes they choose not to have me there. And I was like, remember, you can't determine if you committed a crime. Only a judge can.

There's no way you can get a work permit. You have to get married. That's about it. So if you're coming here with your whole family, you're sort of screwed. Like there's really no avenue for you. And that's been the problem since like the 80s. We don't have comprehensive immigration reform.

I mean, sometimes like, you know, I have to fly out, which is fine. But sometimes they're like they have easy cases. So it's like they don't have any criminal history. They're like, it's not really necessary. We can't say a lot at these interviews. But sometimes they choose to have me there. Sometimes they're like, I don't need you there because they have an easy case. And I'll tell them.

I'll be like, you're going to get approved. But some of these, like with criminal history, like I want to be there for that reason because I know what some of these officers are doing. It also depends on where you're interviewing at. If you're interviewing in Dallas, I'm going to be there. You know, if you're interviewing in Portland, Oregon, I probably don't need to be there.

They're probably going to be fair.

Is it? Yeah. Like if you're in the South, yeah. Odds are against you already, even if you have an easy case. I've seen that a lot, especially under Trump. You know, because like USCIS, the governing agency for like approvals for green cards, their boss is Trump. So I don't know if you follow like USCIS or Border Patrol on Instagram. No. It's like it's crazy. Like their posts are so racist.

They're so crazy. And under Biden, they would be like, apply for naturalization. Let's celebrate immigrants. And now it's like, get out. It's like all those ad campaigns.

Government agency was supposed to be an unbiased adjudicator. And they're posting like celebrating arresting people at their interview at a green card. So, yeah, they posted it.

Yeah. When they were celebrating someone coming in to apply for a green card at an interview and ICE came in and detained them and arrested them, they posted a picture and put it on their actual government Instagram page.

Advocating people on how to get a green card, educating people who are hateful about immigrants on how immigration works, how difficult legal immigration is, who immigrants are, putting a name to the face, you know, like...

explaining that or a face to name, like explaining like how much they contribute to the economy, how they aren't criminals, like how good of a person you have to be to be vetted through the system as it is. And just really like the power of education, I think you can reach a lot of people if they're willing to understand it and they're willing to hear it. And it has to be controversial.

That's the only way it goes viral, right? Like when you really put it simply for them with numbers to show like how wrong they are, they're not gonna like it, but it'll still go viral and it'll reach a lot of people either way. So what I say is I was like, my first line will be like, You don't think immigrants contribute?

And then I'll list all the ways that they contribute with numbers, just simple numbers. Like how much they contributed, how much, how estimated, how much money it's going to be, the estimated cost of deportation compared to how much they contribute. So I think that's crazy, right?

And this is what people don't know. There's another good idea for a video. Immigrants actually have constitutional rights. And my comments will always be like, you're wrong. And I'm like, okay. But if you look up the Constitution, it doesn't specify that you need legal status to be entitled to those rights.

So, I mean, you either come here through an employer, which is very competitive. You have to be in a lottery system for like an employment based visa that will eventually turn into a green card. You have to have a certain degree. It's usually like engineers from like Asia and India brought over by like tech companies or you come here through family. Right. So you get married to a U.S.

So as long as you're physically in the United States, you're entitled to certain constitutional rights. And the most important one is due process, which means you're entitled to your day in court. You're entitled for a judge to analyze your case and determine if you're actually deportable or not.

right so they were using military planes which cost i think 20 000 an hour they don't need to use military planes by the way they're doing that for show um because it's all about media they spent all that money sending them to cuba and then they figured out they couldn't afford it so they they quietly shipped all them back a couple weeks ago and now they're in like alabama or something

What was the point? You wasted so much money to send them to Cuba for what? To just to send them back? And who paid for that? We did. Taxpayers pay for that. And this is like his supporters are all about money, right? I think. But they're like immigrants cost us. That's their whole rhetoric is that they take from us. Actually, like Trump is taking from us to deport them.

Yeah, while he's golfing in Mar-a-Lago. But if you put numbers to them, they just don't want to hear it. They don't want to understand it because it's not what they've been told. They don't want to hear it. And that's the craziest part. But sometimes I'll just do videos like that.

I'm like, hey, here's a breakdown, by the way, of how much it costs you and taxpayers to literally the most useless, pointless deportation. There's no reason to use military planes, $20,000 an hour. There's no reason to send them to Guantanamo Bay.

So the whole point of that executive order by that judge when he stopped Trump from utilizing the Alien Enemies Act is because he's like, I don't even know if these people are deportable. I don't know if they're criminals. Some of them may be. I still need to determine if they're deportable. I need to give them a removal order.

You will explain exactly how much money we're wasting on this mass deportation efforts. And it's like you're speaking another language. They don't want to hear it. They don't want to open their mind to it. I think they have to lose so much money to understand. It has to affect them personally until they see it and make the connection that they're losing money themselves. They won't understand it.

I have some friends in our neighborhood. They'll call me and be like, hey, so how do I keep my nanny from being deported? But they voted for Trump.

They don't get paid enough. Yeah, that does happen. A lot of exploitation. And a lot of these people who are anti-immigrant, they'll be like, so you're advocating, you want to keep immigrants here, so you're advocating for slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones doing the slave labor. I'm like, you're the ones calling me being like, how do I keep my nanny and how much do I have to pay her?

citizen, 90 day fiance kind of situation. Right. or you have your parents have status, they bring you over here. But that's it. You can't really earn your way to legal status.

Is it a lot? How do I keep her from being deported? But I voted to get her deported. And a lot of these people vote with their own interests in mind.

And Trump just actually got rid of the refugee program entirely. And he also stopped their green card applications from being approved. He paused all of them. So they've been approved refugee status. The government has approved their asylum status, which is very hard because about 95 percent of asylum cases get denied. And now he's like, actually, you can't get a green card. Why?

We already vetted them. You can't have a criminal history and get approved for asylum. You have to work. You get work authorization. You have to pay taxes to get asylum. What's the point? And he paused that because he was like, I don't know. We need to vet them more. We need to look for more fraud. It's just... It's incomprehensible. It's unreal. So now they can't get green cards. They're stuck.

They're in limbo. But he has done that with a lot of people with temporary protective status. So Biden did these programs where depending on how dangerous the country, their home country was, he would give people parole into the country and work authorization for like two years. And typically a president would keep renewing it. Um, but Trump just like ended all those programs.

So Biden allowed all these people to come in legally. Um, and they've been working, they've been paying taxes and Trump just gave them until like April 24th to leave. He gave them 30 days and then you're like, you're deportable. So like they've set up shot here. They have, they have a life here. They work. They, some of them have bought homes. Right. Um, but now they're just gone.

No. I didn't know that you couldn't just earn your way here and just like apply for it. Right. And I think that's the problem is a lot of people think they say, why not just come here legally? And they don't understand.

That's how bad our system is. It's a, most of it is so temporary and it can be ripped away from you. Right. depending on who's president. They just change it.

It's like a Venn diagram. Like you can't just apply. You can't?

Thank you so much for having me.

You have to have either an employer sponsor you after proving that you have a master's degree or a graduate degree. The employer has to prove that they tried to get the job to everybody else in the United States and they couldn't find someone to fit it. So it's a lot. The employer has to say, I literally could not find an American citizen that's eligible for this job.

So then they petition for someone from another country. And it's usually because they're more educated. They know more than one language. They work twice as hard as Americans. Let's be real, right? If you're an employer, you want to hire an immigrant. And so you bring them over here. But that even takes years. That can take like five to seven years, right? Or you get married, right?

You get married to a U.S. citizen.

Yeah. You have to prove that your marriage is real and that you're not committing marriage fraud, right? Because that does happen. Like marriage fraud does happen. And I think it happens because people really just want to come here and they can't. It's like nepotism. Like why do you have to marry into citizenship? Like everyone's saying –

earn your right to be here, contribute to the economy, then we'll welcome you here. Why don't we give them the opportunity to do that? Why do you have to get married? It's so backwards.

I don't know the statistics, but I know that it's way less than actual American citizens, like way less.

Why would you come here to commit crimes like that rhetoric that they just come here to commit crimes? You could do that in your home country a lot easier.

But that's the problem. A lot of Americans are uneducated, right? Yeah.

Right.

Oh, they're already fucked. Like farms, farms and like Bakersfield in California, like all of their employees are gone. They're reporting that they're stressing. They're stressing to the Trump administration. They're like, why are you doing this? Because of all these ICE raids, I've lost half of my employees.

The state of Florida, I don't know if you've heard about this, but they're considering some kind of proposal to lower the age of child labor. Because they're losing all of their employees because they're scaring them away with ICE raids.

So Ron DeSantis was like, well, why don't we mess with the child labor law so that they can work overnight shifts during the school week so that they can actually lower the age of being eligible to work? Because we don't have anybody else to do it.

So yeah, good luck with that. Yeah. I mean, they obviously weren't thinking about their economy. But that's the problem is that someone like Ron DeSantis is not thinking with his brain or his wallet even. And you would think that he would think about you. They usually vote with their wallet in mind. But with this proposal, you're just thinking with hatred. You're just racist, right?

I mean, why are you scaring away immigrants who literally make your economy survivable? Children are not going to have these jobs. They're not going to work as hard. But logic is not a thing with these kind of people. They have so much hatred and ignorance in their hearts that they're not thinking about like, oh, you know, immigrants are better for their economy.

They're just like, I want them out because they're brown.

Sure. Yeah. So I mean, when I was in law school, or when I was in college, actually, I went to school with a lot of undocumented immigrants in LA. And I really got to know them.

Yeah. I mean, and that was kind of my whole brand is like the legal field is so conservative and it's built towards white men, white conservative men. Right. So a lot of the women that have been, you know, that are in the field are, I call them pick me.

I didn't really know anything about immigration until I met someone that I was involved with, you know, like whether it was my friends or my classmates or my coworkers, I really learned about their stories and I kind of became more empathetic and understanding to how they got here and why they were undocumented. So I was definitely interested.

It's like a lot of female lawyers are still trying to fit in so that they can take and they can be taken seriously by male judges and male partners. Right. And so they don't want to be as feminine where I'm like the opposite where like I'm like I'm going to embrace it. We need to change the field of law.

Like I want to be living proof that like you can look a certain way and just totally surprise people and be good at your job and win cases in court.

Like real life Elle Woods. Yeah. Yeah.

literally but like you know it's interesting like what you said I kind of want to go back to like people might like have a different perspective or take you more seriously because of like your race it's true so a lot of my followers oddly are like old white men and I don't know why and I look at my analytics and I don't it doesn't make sense because all I do is like I am so liberal all I do is like

immigration content at this point I barely even do anything else but I think it's because they saw me they're like oh she's someone I can relate to I can trust she has blonde hair blue eyes and she's a lawyer so like maybe I'm interested in what she's saying and maybe that's why you know like and then they turn around they call me a traitor so I'm like oh because so they initially trusted me for some reason right and then they're like why would someone like her advocate so hard for immigrants right and

So at least I got them in the door and maybe some of them I've changed their minds. Like I do get some comments that like, I'll post about certain cases, case studies and some of my cases and some of my Asylee clients that I went and I'll tell their stories on like a get ready with me video. And they'll be like, I had no idea it worked like that. So I'm like,

Maybe like you are the person like you can change their minds because they're not – these type of people are probably not following like immigration attorneys or immigration advocates who are like not white, who don't look like them, right?

I haven't seen any ICE. I haven't heard of any ICE raids at schools. Okay. So here's what's going on. What the Trump administration is doing is he promised mass deportation to all of his base, which is 11 million people. Not going to happen, right? Right. So what he's doing is he's fear-mongering a lot to rely on people to self-deport so that his numbers can match his promises.

So he's doing all these commercials. Have you seen the bizarre commercials? No. They're like, you need to leave this country now or else. And they're also like, why would you put billions of dollars into commercials? I thought you were doing ice raids. Which one is it? Either do it or do some BS commercial that no one's going to buy. Right. They're also doing something called registration.

And then I worked randomly at a family law firm and a lot of my clients, I did a lot of CPS cases because it was just a job that I got, right? And then they would ask me like, hey, can you help me out on my green card or on my DACA? You're already my lawyer. And I was like, sure. And then the more I did it, the more I loved immigration because I became a happy lawyer.

I don't know if you heard of that, but they're like, you need to sign up if you're undocumented or you will face criminal penalties. It's not a crime to be undocumented.