Open to opportunities

Diego Peñaloza

@diegopealoza

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Immigration paralegal specializing in humanitarian asylum, U/T Visas, and VAWA.

Colombia

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to deepen my humanitarian immigration work in a compliance-focused team—partnering with attorneys on asylum, U/T Visa, and VAWA filings, research, and client advocacy, with strong cross-agency communication and clear next steps.

I’m a bilingual legal professional with 3+ years of specialized experience in humanitarian immigration law, focused on asylum, U Visas, T Visas, and VAWA petitions. I combine rigorous compliance with empathetic client advocacy to translate complex facts into clear, legally sound filings.

I’ve managed 500+ complex cases while maintaining a 98% accuracy rate in documentation. I draft comprehensive client declarations and assemble full humanitarian relief application packages—cover letters, declarations, supporting evidence, and required forms—while ensuring narratives are consistent with legal standards.

I strengthen cases through detailed legal research and case law analysis, including country conditions research using State Department reports, human rights organizations, and academic sources. I also support litigation by preparing brief and motion drafts and providing structured evidence compilation and document review that helps attorneys meet procedural requirements and deadlines.

Before specializing in immigration, I worked as a junior lawyer covering intellectual property and public law matters, including administrative appeals and litigation support before Colombian administrative courts. Across every role, I prioritize multi-agency communication, clear multi-party documentation, and bilingual (English/Spanish) guidance that keeps clients and stakeholders aligned from intake through hearings.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Immigration Paralegal

Current

Mangone Law Firm

Jan 2026 - Present (7 months)

Draft comprehensive client declarations and assemble humanitarian relief application packages for T Visa, VAWA, and U Visa cases. Maintain client communication and ensure procedural accuracy using USCIS requirements and eligibility standards.

T Visa VAWA U Visas Client Declarations Eligibility Client Communication Compliance

Asylum Paralegal

Political Asylum Lawyers

Jan 2025 - Jan 2026 (1 year)

Support asylum case strategy by drafting persuasive briefs and motions and conducting country conditions research. Coordinate with immigration courts and USCIS offices while preparing clients for hearings and responding to official correspondence.

Legal Research Country Conditions Research State Department Reports Legal Briefs Immigration Court USCIS Correspondence Interview Preparation Cultural Sensitivity

Immigration Paralegal

Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law

Jul 2023 - Nov 2024 (1 year 4 months)

Managed a portfolio of 500+ humanitarian immigration cases, including U Visa, T Visa, VAWA, and asylum applications, maintaining 98% accuracy in documentation. Coordinated with law enforcement and service providers for supporting evidence and drafted detailed client declarations aligned with INA and USCIS policy requirements.

U Visas T Visa VAWA Asylum Applications Case Management Client Declarations INA Provisions Compliance

Junior Lawyer

G Herrera Abogados y Asociados

Jul 2021 - Sep 2022 (1 year 2 months)

Handled intellectual property and public law matters, including trademark registration processes and administrative appeals before Colombian administrative courts. Drafted and supported proceedings related to licensing agreements, opposition proceedings, nullity actions, reparation claims, and other government-related liability actions.

Trademark Licensing Trade Mark Opposition Appeals Nullity Actions Reparation Claims Fiscal Responsibility Medical Liability Litigation Strategy

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Universidad de Salamanca

Master of Laws (LL.M.), Private Law

2022 - 2025

Activities and societies: Degree thesis: El deporte como derecho y la protección de la mujer futbolista en Colombia.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Private Law from Universidad de Salamanca, completed between 2022 and 2025. Degree thesis focused on sports as a right and legal protection for the women footballer in Colombia.