Monica is the daughter of a Guatemalan mother who inspires her help others navigate the complicated immigration processes in the United States. Her experiences working with victims of torture and human trafficking solidified her desire to become an immigration attorney after law school.
After spending two years in Albania as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, Monica attended the University of California, Davis School of Law. As a student practitioner in the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic, she was privileged to serve indigent clients in removal proceedings in the San Francisco Immigration Court. In 2012, she received the University of California Human Rights Fellowship for her work providing immigration relief to victims of trafficking and torture at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. In 2013 she received the Lorenzo Patiño Award for Service to the Community based on her dedication to public interest legal work during law school.
Before joining U.S. Immigration Law Group, LLP, Monica managed a solo practice representing the diverse immigrant population in Southern California. In 2017 and 2018, Monica was included on the Super Lawyers list of Rising Stars for her work in immigration law. Monica focuses her practice in providing removal defense before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, applications for asylum, VAWA relief, and family based petitions.
Monica is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational Albanian.
Practice areas
9 years
Languages spoken
Spanish, Albanian
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2013 | 06/10/2022 |
Legal answers | 171 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Avvo Top Contributor Award | AVVO | 2017 |
Rising Stars | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Lorenzo Patiño Award | La Raza Law Students Association | 2013 |
Pro Bono Certificate | UC Davis School of Law | 2013 |
Public Interest Certificate | UC Davis School of Law | 2013 |
Bar Grant | King Hall Legal Foundation | 2013 |
Human Rights Fellowship | California International Law Center | 2012 |
Stephanie J. Blank Public Interest Scholarship | UC Davis School of Law | 2011 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | U.S. Immigration Law Group, LLP | 2017 - Present |
Attorney | CROOMS AREVALO | 2016 - 2018 |
Associate Attorney | Law Offices of Elsa Martinez | 2013 - 2016 |
Law Clerk | Legal Aid Foundation of Law Angeles | 2012 - 2012 |
Law Student | UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic | 2011 - 2012 |
Teacher of English | United States Peace Corps | 2008 - 2010 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
Orange County Bar Association | Member | 2015 - Present |
Friends of Orange County Detainees | Volunteer Attorney | 2015 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member | 2014 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Crooms Arevalo | Am I Affected by the Muslim Ban? | 2017 |
Crooms Arevalo | Muslim Ban Stayed... For Now | 2017 |
UC Berkeley Human Rights Center | Victims in Hiding: The Need for Comprehensive State Anti-Traf cking Laws to Improve Victim Identification and Protection | 2012 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
UC Davis SOL King Hall | Juris Doctor | 2013 |
Univ of California at Los Angeles | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
SteppingUP Immigration Workshop | Know Your Rights Immigration Workshop | 2017 |
How I spent the Summer Saving the World | Clerkship at Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles | 2012 |
UC Human Rights Fellows Conference | Seeking Safe Haven | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Motion to reopen/reconsider | Granted |
Derivative NACARA Granted | Granted in Immigration Court |
Asylum Appeal | Remanded |
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March 14, 2019
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March 9, 2018
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October 18, 2016
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April 17, 2016
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April 16, 2016
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April 15, 2016
Alejandra Leon-Paul, Immigration Attorney on Dec 18, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
Monica is very knowledgeable in immigration and truly cares for her clients. I endorse this lawyer.
Lisa Ramirez, Immigration Attorney on Dec 17, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
Yes, I am biased, but we worked hard to recruit Monica to our firm. Monica is one of the smartest and most personable immigration lawyers out there. She genuinely cares about each client and pours her heart and soul into her work. I wouldn't hesitate to have her represent me or anyone in my family.
Namita Agarwal, Immigration Attorney on Feb 18, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is knowledgable in her field and thoughtful in her advice.
Anna Czarples, Immigration Attorney on Jun 13, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Crooms is knowledgeable in her field and responsive to clients.
Ethan Pham, Asylum Attorney on May 26, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Monica is a gifted attorney. She has earned a reputation in the legal community as a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated attorney. If you are fortunate enough to retain her services, you are in the very best of hands.
Shaheen Manshoory, Immigration Attorney on May 26, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I strongly endorse this lawyer. Strong reviews from the simple reason that she's great at that she does.
Epimenio Lopez, Unknown Attorney on May 26, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Sunita Boddu, Immigration Attorney on May 25, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Monica is a great attorney. She is knowledgeable about the law and hard working for her clients. She is a fellow UC Davis School of Law alumna. I would highly recommend her!
Gilbert Sperling, Immigration Attorney on May 21, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Ross Russell, Unknown Attorney on May 19, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Monica is an exceptional immigration attorney who truly cares about her clients. She is highly respected within the legal community, and deservedly so. I endorse this lawyer.
Gregory Bianco, Immigration Attorney on May 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Noah Peterson, Immigration Attorney on May 5, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Monica is a knowledgeable immigration attorney who truly cares about her clients. I endorse this lawyer.
Ayodele Ojo, Immigration Attorney on May 3, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is very compassionate
Ashkan Yekrangi, Immigration Attorney on Apr 8, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
If you're looking for a passionate AND competent immigration attorney, look no further. Monica is passionate about what she does seeks only the best for her clients.