Lilia Alcaraz

LILIA ALCARAZ has over 20 years of experience in immigration and tax law. She is licensed as an attorney in Arizona and California and has been certified as a specialist in immigration and nationality law by the State Bar of California. Her work today brings her before federal courts and administrative agencies across the United States, at US ports of entry, and to US diplomatic missions worldwide.

While growing up in an immigrant community as the first member of her family to be born in the United States, Lilia bore first-hand witness to the struggles immigrants face when trying to adapt and live in a new country. Her work, today in immigration, is not just a career—it has been a passionate way of life for her for as long as she can remember.

Ms. Alcaraz helps her clients obtain treaty trader and investor (E-1 and E-2) visas, employment (H-1B and L-1) visas, TN visas for employees under the USMCA and NAFTA, and visas for people in the sciences, education, business, performing arts, and sports (O and P visas). She has extensive experience with pursuing permanent resident status in the United States for people through business (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5) immigration programs, family-based adjustments of status or consular processing (K visas) through marriage or other personal relationships, and national interest waiver applications with the US Department of Homeland Security.

Lilia Alcaraz advises companies on immigration compliance issues during corporate mergers and acquisitions and advises foreign nationals with pre-immigration tax and estate planning in the United States. She also coordinates and defends against ICE Homeland Security Investigations Form I-9 audits and raids. Finally, she helps managers design, implement, and evaluate worksite labor compliance programs.

Her trial work and legal arguments have been noted and adopted in several published opinions by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

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Arizona

State Bar of Arizona

ID Number: 020970

Since 2001

California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 248695

Since 2005

9th Circuit

U.S. Court of International Trade

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Tax Court

United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Sorbonne, Paris, France

Law School Certificate in International Law | International Law

University of Denver Law School

LL.M. (2002) | Tax Law

2001 - 2001

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

J.D. (2001) | Law

1998 - 2001

Honors: Judicial Clerkship at the Phoenix Immigration Court (Executive Office for Immigration Review). Multiple Scholarships, including receiving the Valdemar Cordova Scholarship several times.

University of Arizona

B.A. (1997) | Psychology and Spanish

1993 - 1997

California State Bar  # 248695

Member

2005 - Current

Arizona State Bar  # 020970

2001 - Current

American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA

Hispanic Latin Immigration Group Co-Leader

2000 - Current

Activities: Ms. Alcaraz has been a frequent Speaker and Author for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Additionally, she serves as the Co-leader of the AILA National Hispanic Latin Immigration Group.

American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conferences, National Annual Conference

American Immigration Lawyers Association

American Immigration Lawyers Association University, AILA University

American Immigration Lawyers Association

American Immigration Lawyers Association Winter Conference, National Winter Conference

American Immigration Lawyers Association

American Immigration Lawyers Association Philadelphia Annual Conference, Annual Conference

American Immigration Lawyers Association Philadelphia Chapter

City of Phoenix Trilateral Trade Conference

Board Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law

State Bar of California Department of Legal Specialization

Q. Hi, my spouse and I have our I-485 marriage based interview coming up tomorrow after applying for adjustment of status l

March 21, 2023

A: It’s great to hear you're preparing for your adjustment of status interview. While it's always best to have all of your original documents with you, don't worry if you don't have them all. Just take what you have available with you to the interview. The USCIS officer conducting the interview will let you know if they need any additional documentation from you and will provide you with the necessary time to provide it.

In most cases, if you've submitted all the copies of documentation required for your application, the USCIS officer won't ask for original documentation during the interview. However, it's always best to be prepared and have all relevant documents with you.

If you're feeling unsure about the process or have any questions about what to expect at the interview, I highly recommend consulting with a local immigration attorney. They can guide you through the process and represent you at the interview if necessary.

I wish you the best of luck with your adjustment of status interview! ... Read More

Q. Hi there. I have a consular processing question for a spouse.

February 7, 2023

A: Hello New Yorker!

Yes, a person can travel to work in another country if they have the necessary visas, work permits, and fulfill other legal requirements of the country they are traveling to.

This advice only applies to a consular processing case where the intending immigrant is not in the U.S. If the foreign national is in the U.S., other rules apply.

Fun travels for you and your spouse!

Q. So what forms exactly do I need to fill out to sponsor someone?

February 7, 2023

A: Rise and shine, Texas! I agree with Mr. Mejia. To be a supporter for a named beneficiary in the US, the supporter must be a US citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, have a lawful status in the US, pass security and background checks, and demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary. The supporter must also be willing and able to receive, maintain and support the beneficiary in areas such as housing, basic necessities, education, and employment for the duration of their parole. A separate Form I-134A must be filed for each beneficiary. Two organizations that provide information and resources are Welcome.us and Community Sponsorship Hub. Best of luck with the process! ... Read More