also known as Melissa Arielle Untereker
Born and raised in the Midwest, I moved to El Paso in 2012 because I was drawn to the rich and unique culture, history, and natural beauty of the U.S./Mexico border region. I have practiced exclusively in immigration law for over 10 years and am deeply committed to defending the human rights of others. I believe that all people have the right to seek happiness, security, and economic advancement regardless of where they were born. I represent clients from all over the United States and abroad.
Prior to founding Frontera Immigration Law, I worked as a Supervising Attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center, a large non-profit legal service and advocacy organization based in Chicago, and most recently at a high-volume immigration law practice in El Paso, Texas. In these positions, I have had the opportunity to represent hundreds of individuals and families in all areas of family, non-immigrant, and protection-based immigration such as asylum and benefits for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.
I received my Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, and I have been licensed by the Illinois Bar since 2006. I am a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Federal Bar Association, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the El Paso Bar Association. In addition, I currently serve as President of the Board of Directors of the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Texas.
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Practice Area
20 years
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Chat withState: Illinois
Acquired: 2006
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521 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX, 79901
9 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews
Posted by Gerard Wright | June 30, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Andy Wright
I would Highly recommend Ms Untereker she is highly professional and handled our Spousal Visa from Start to finish and was with us every step of the way once the Visa was Approved , you cant get better than that, it made the whole USCIS process simple and less stressful. Thank You Melissa
Posted by Brenda Reyes | February 02, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
excellent
I highly recommend her. She assisted me with VAWA and renewing my DACA as well. The VAWA process got a bit complicated but she was finally able to get the approval on both forms. She handled everything professionally on both cases and in timely manner as possible, considering COVID. She is absolut...
Posted by Julio | February 26, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Honest and reliable!
I friend of mine recommended it Melissa to take my imigration case, and she did a amazing job on my case she has a great communications skills, research skills, responsiveness,analytical skills, such a good character and overall a truly honest person.
Posted by JOSUE | January 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
No wasted time with attorney Melissa Untereker . Thanks to his professionalism and efficiency I made my transition from permanent resident to citizen in less than six months . Very friendly personality , always with a big lovely smile .
Posted by Gang | August 22, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
professional, considerate, reliable
My mom was held in El Paso retention center. Melissa helped to post the bond and get my mom out. She gave us a list of options for my mom's case and analyzed the possibilities of the outcomes. She knows the law well and her advice is always grounded in the law and the situation of the government and ...
"Melissa is an extremely talented and compassionate advocate for her clients. She possesses the legal skill and experience to provide the best possible representation to her clients, whether they are in removal proceedings or are applying for status through family. Additionally, her commitment and wealth of experience helping victims of domestic violence and other crime set her apart from others in the community. The El Paso community is lucky to have such a dedicated and experienced advocate for justice."
"Melissa is a committed and passionate advocate for immigrants. She is well-versed in the law and fights for her clients. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a competent, caring, and hard-working immigration attorney ."
"Melissa is the most knowledgeable person in the family immigration field that I know. I am in awe of her full understanding of the law. Additionally, Melissa is incredibly compassionate and honest. Easily, one of the best immigration attorneys in El Paso, by far."
2005
Summer Stipend, Public Interest Law Association
2004
Summer Corps Recipient, Equal Justice Works
2012 - 2016
Supervising Attorney, Law Office of Daniel Caudillo
2006 - 2012
Supervising Attorney, National Immigrant Justice Center
2005 - 2005
Legal Extern, Executive Office for Immigration Review
2004 - 2005
Law Clerk, Law Office of Susan Fortino Brown
2004 - 2005
Student Attorney, Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic - DePaul College of Law
2003 - 2004
Student Research Volunteer, International Human Rights Institute - DePaul College of Law
2003 - 2003
Research Assistant, State Commission for Human Rights - Chiapas, Mexico
2017 - Present
Federal Bar AssociationMember
2017 - Present
National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers GuildeMember
2016 - Present
El Paso Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2007 - 2008
Chicago Bar AssociationYoung Lawyer's Section Co-Chair
2006 - 2012
Chicago Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2007
American Bar AssociationMember
2004 - 2006
DePaul Law ReviewMember
2003 - 2006
Public Interest Law AssociationMember
2006
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2001
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2000
CIEE - Semester Abroad
2017
Know Your Rights (Immigration)
2016
General Topics in Immigration
2015
DREAM Act
2015
Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA)
2012
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
2011
VAWA and U Visas
2011
Relief for Certain Victims of Domestic Violence: VAWA and I-360 Self-Petitions
2010
Representing Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes
2010
Representing Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes
2009
Advanced Topics in VAWA and U Visas
2008
Immigration Legal Remedies for Immigrant Crime Victims
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