Attorney
Arvin Saenz
Arvin Saenz
Arvin Saenz is a first-generation Mexican-American. He was born and raised in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Before working in immigration and deportation defense, Arvin joined the nation’s most elite military branch (United States Marine Corps) at the tender age of 17. As a field radio operator, military policeman, and corrections specialist, Arvin has visited and lived in countries abroad. After returning from combat deployment (Ramadi, Iraq 2005) he decided to put his mental faculties to work and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso with a major in Accounting. After earning his bachelor degree, he worked the business private sector in various management positions before working civil service for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Arvin’s devotion and empathy for others inspired him to seek a profession in the legal field. Namely, working in deportation defense. In just two and a half years, he earned a law degree from Charlotte School of Law along with Pro Bono honors gained from immigration-related work. During his tenure as a law school student, Arvin volunteered over a hundred fifty hours of his time—he helped clients accused of crimes by co-authoring appellate briefs in the Texas 8th Court of Appeals as well as assisting central American immigrants with their applications for asylum relief.
As an attorney, Arvin has obtained litigation experience (over 50 contested cases in Administrative Court) and has authored many appellate briefs. Arvin is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is fluent in Spanish. He is active in community events that aim to empower and embolden immigrants. He has volunteered legal services for various agencies such as Catholic Charities, Juntos Podemos, North Texas Dream Team, and the Dallas Mexican Consulate. Arvin has volunteered deportation defense services traveling to Mexico in order to help immigrants get out in the highly controversial “wait-in-Mexico” program.
Arvin’s other interests aside from immigration are chess and tax preparation
Attorney
Mark Lee
Mark Lee
Mark Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in law at Baylor University School of Law in Waco, Texas. Before settling on immigration law as the focus of his practice, he worked as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and a civil litigator in both state and federal trial courts. His broad litigation experience provides a strong underpinning for his immigration practice.
Mr. Lee became interested in immigration law by volunteering his services to a Dallas non-profit organization. Soon he took a position in a small Dallas firm where he focused on asylum and brought suits against the government in immigration-related cases. He has since served as a staff immigration attorney for Catholic Charities in Houston, supervising its battered women and crime victim programs and litigating cases for asylum-seekers and unaccompanied juvenile immigrant detainees.
Before joining Saenz-Garcia Law, LLP, Mr. Lee practiced in a medium-sized Dallas area immigration firm, focusing on all manner of deportation defense, family petitions, consular processing with waivers, naturalization, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and USCIS Immigration Appeals Office. Mr. Lee is a native Texan. Outside work he most enjoys music, travel, and fatherhood.
Attorney
Greg Stephenson
Greg Stephenson
Greg Stephenson practices immigration law exclusively. His passion for helping immigrants began at a young age through bilingual education in grade school; foreign exchange to Mexico during High School and a two year mission in Chile before College. With an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University, Mr. Stephenson was involved in a series of entrepreneurial ventures before deciding to return to school at the University of Idaho College of Law.
While in Idaho, Mr Stephenson participated in the Immgration Clinic. Through service at the clinic Mr Stephenson found his calling serving the immigration community and has been dedicating his energies to helping immigrants ever since. When not focused on the law, Greg enjoys reading novels and spending time with his wife and five children.
Sr. Managing Attorney
Andrea Aguilar
Andrea Aguilar
Andrea Aguilar is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has dedicated her career to the practice of immigration law. She graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2005 and earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s School of Law in 2010. That same year, she was admitted to the Texas Bar.
Prior to law school, Andrea served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, where her experiences working with families facing poverty and instability inspired her commitment to immigration law. During law school, she gained extensive experience at the St. Mary’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, later serving as a teaching fellow and supervising attorney.
Her career has included leadership roles in both nonprofit and private practice law firms. She has led immigration departments and represented clients in all aspects of immigration law, including removal defense, family-based petitions, asylum, humanitarian relief, waivers, consular processing, and employment-based matters.
Andrea is fluent in Spanish and an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her children in all activities, cooking, and having fun!
Sr. Managing Attorney
Lynn Shukla Preshad
Lynn Shukla Preshad
Lynn Shukla Preshad is a removal defense and immigration attorney with a strong focus on courtroom advocacy and a commitment to guiding clients through complex legal matters.
A global citizen with roots in England, India, and the United States, Lynn brings a deep understanding of the immigrant experience and a compassionate, client-centered approach to her practice.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2009. She has been a member of the Illinois State Bar since 2009.
Lynn’s career reflects a longstanding commitment to public service and expanding access to legal support for immigrant communities. She has been involved with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, the Cyriac Kapil Pro Bono Legal Clinic, the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, and served as an officer of the SABA Chicago Foundation Board for over a decade.
She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and utilizes its resources to support her clients effectively.
Fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu, Lynn is able to connect with and serve multilingual individuals and families.
Outside of her legal work, Lynn is passionate about health, fitness, dance, and volunteering. She also values time with family and friends and remaining actively engaged in her community.
Lynn’s global perspective, language skills, and dedication to client advocacy make her a strong and compassionate representative for individuals navigating the immigration system.
Senior Attorney
Vivian Sanchez
Vivian Sanchez
Vivian Sanchez is a dedicated attorney from Brownsville, Texas, with a passion for advocacy and helping her community. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in History and English, with a Minor in Hispanic Studies, from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. She then pursued her legal education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, where she obtained her Juris Doctor.
Admitted to the Texas State Bar, Ms. Sanchez brings a thoughtful and analytical approach to her legal practice, guided by her diverse academic background and strong communication skills. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she effectively connects with a wide range of clients, ensuring their needs are heard and addressed.
Originally from the vibrant border town of Brownsville, Vivian values the importance of community and cultural connection. In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature through hikes and spending time with her two beloved dogs, Rocko and Ringo.
With her dedication to her profession and her compassionate approach, Ms. Sanchez is a trusted advocate for her clients and a proud representative of her South Texas roots.
Federal Litigation Liaison Attorney
Elizabeth Lampert
Elizabeth Lampert
Maryjoy Chuba is a dedicated and accomplished attorney specializing in employment-based immigration law. A proud Nigerian-Filipino, Maryjoy brings a unique multicultural perspective and deep expertise to her practice, assisting individuals and businesses in navigating complex immigration processes.
Maryjoy earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she developed a passion for advocating for immigrant rights and employment-based solutions. She furthered her legal foundation through a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the University of Tulsa, enhancing her understanding of the intricacies of legal processes.
Her academic journey began at the University of Asia and the Pacific in Pasig, Philippines, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Humanities. She also earned a Certificate in Political Economics and International Relations Development, with a minor in Southeast Asian Studies and Corporate Social Responsibility. This background laid the groundwork for her commitment to promoting equity and fostering international connections.
Maryjoy is a member of the Oklahoma Bar and actively participates in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), staying at the forefront of immigration law developments.
Fluent in both Tagalog and Igbo, Maryjoy effectively communicates with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Maryjoy values spending quality time with her family, prioritizing health and fitness, and exploring the world through travel. Her multifaceted experiences and commitment to excellence make her a trusted advocate and a dynamic leader in her field.
Attorney at Law
Nelian Cruz
Nelian Cruz
Nelian Cruz is a skilled attorney with over a decade of experience in the legal field. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Criminal Justice from the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus, and her Juris Doctor from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of Law.
Since obtaining her law degree in 2012, Nelian has amassed extensive experience across various areas of law, including Corporate Law, Labor and Employment Law, and complex litigation document review. She began her career at small law firms, gaining expertise in civil and criminal law, before joining the Lanier Law Firm, where she worked on high-impact public health cases through meticulous legal research and document management.
In addition to her legal practice, Nelian has served as an Associate Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology, inspiring students to engage deeply with constitutional rights and the justice system. Her teaching reflects her dedication to guiding the next generation of legal professionals.
Currently, Nelian is part of Saenz-Garcia Law, where she focuses on immigration law, helping individuals and families navigate complex immigration processes. Her work reflects her unwavering commitment to social justice and the rights of immigrants. As a fluent speaker of English and Spanish, she connects with a diverse range of clients, providing compassionate and effective legal counsel.
Outside of work, Nelian is passionate about traveling the world and cherishes her role as a mother. She values clear communication and meaningful relationships, which drive her success as an attorney and community advocate.
Senior Attorney
Valerie Enid Vázquez Negrón
Valerie Enid
Vázquez Negrón
Valerie Enid Vázquez Negrón is a skilled attorney committed to providing exceptional legal services to her community. She earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, where she developed a strong foundation in strategic thinking and client advocacy. Pursuing her passion for the law, she obtained her Juris Doctor from the Pontifical Catholic University School of Law in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Ms. Vázquez Negrón is admitted to practice law in Puerto Rico and is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Her bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English enables her to serve a diverse range of clients effectively, ensuring clear communication and tailored legal solutions.
A proud Puerto Rican, Valerie cherishes the island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. Outside of her legal practice, she enjoys spending time at the beach, exploring new destinations through travel, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle with yoga and pilates.
With her dedication to excellence and a deep connection to her roots, Ms. Vázquez Negrón is a trusted advocate for her clients and a respected professional in her field.
Associate Attorney
Busola Odeyemi
Busola Odeyemi
Busola Odeyemi is an accomplished attorney with a deep commitment to justice and advocacy. Born in Nigeria and raised in Colorado, she combines a rich cultural heritage with a dedication to serving diverse communities.
Busola earned dual undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas, where she excelled academically and athletically. She attended on volleyball and theatre scholarships, reflecting her multifaceted talents and drive. She went on to pursue her legal education at the esteemed Thurgood Marshall School of Law, solidifying her passion for the law.
Licensed to practice law in New Mexico, Busola focuses on delivering impactful legal solutions. She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), where she advocates for the rights and needs of immigrants.
Fluent in English and Yoruba, Busola’s bilingual skills allow her to connect with and support a wide range of clients. Outside of her legal career, she is an avid bookworm, often immersed in multiple books at a time. The only girl among four siblings, Busola brings a unique perspective shaped by her family experiences and upbringing.
Her unwavering dedication, diverse skill set, and compassionate approach make Busola a trusted and dynamic advocate in her field.