As a daughter of farmworkers and an immigrant growing up in the Central Valley, Maria is dedicated to defending the rights of immigrants. 

Maria joined Pangea in September 2023. Prior to Pangea, Maria worked as a staff attorney at the UFW Foundation (UFWF). During her time at the UFWF, Maria represented immigrants, including unaccompanied minors, in removal proceedings. She also represented immigrants in affirmative applications for relief before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to the UFWF, Maria worked as a removal defense fellow at The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) where she defended immigrants placed in removal proceedings due to contact with law enforcement. During her time at RAICES, Maria also did know your rights consultations and represented individuals arrested pursuant to Operation Lonestar.

During law school, Maria represented asylum seekers in custody redetermination proceedings through UT Law’s Immigration Clinic. She also represented immigrants in various types of applications before USCIS. In addition to being part of the Immigration Clinic, during law school Maria also took part in the Criminal Defense Clinic, Domestic Violence Clinic, and Juvenile Defense Clinic. 

Prior to law school, Maria worked as a paralegal at Van Der Hout, LLP where she assisted attorneys in removal defense cases. 

Maria received her B.A. in ethnic studies from the University of California, Berkeley (‘15). Maria received her law degree from the University of Texas, Austin School of Law (‘21). 

Maria speaks English and Spanish.