Karen Banderas

I admire that my teammates at US-ILC are open and adaptable to the continually changing immigration landscape. I also appreciate the firm’s clear structure, and the way that departments have been organized and separated into different pods, such as litigation, general matters, and accounting. I was excited to join US-ILC because the firm has a strong social media presence, with engaging and insightful content. I was particularly impressed by the attorneys’ professionalism, their clear communication styles, and the firm’s consistently positive reviews.

I have nearly 12 years of experience in the immigration field. Prior to joining USILC, I worked at a nonprofit organization as a DOJ-fully accredited representative. In this role, I handled extensive paralegal work, accompanied them to USCIS interviews, and appeared at court hearings. Additionally, I supervised paralegals, reviewing their work to ensure quality and compliance. I spent close to eight years at that organization, gaining broad exposure to all aspects of immigration law and case management.

As a Case Coordinator, I help our team in the General department to assign cases to paralegals based on their caseloads, experience, and the specific type of work involved. We conduct team meetings with paralegals to outline case initiation procedures and provide ongoing support to them throughout the entire process. We are also the point of contact for escalations and issues that arise with cases, and we ensure that client cases are progressing in a timely and strategic manner. My role as also requires communicating with clients in both English and Spanish.

My in-depth background across various immigration case types directly enhances my current role as Case Coordinator. Overall, my prior hands-on work facilitates clearer, faster collaborations with the paralegal team. I can help them determine the appropriate steps to take to resolve case issues. I can also streamline communications to keep cases moving efficiently.

My Cuban background shapes my deep connection to the immigration field. I arrived in the U.S. as an immigrant and am now married with a child. We enjoy family activities together, such as watching Dallas Cowboys games. My favorite solo activity is reading, and I aim to read at least one book each week. I also enjoy indulging in self-care activities as part of my monthly routine.