Valeria Garcia Tavarez

Survivor Advancement Senior Attorney

Through her work in the Survivors of Crimes Program, Valeria Garcia Tavarez provides mentorship and support to the Program while also performing direct representation to NMILC clients who qualify for humanitarian-based immigration relief.

Valeria was born and raised in Albuquerque, and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She obtained her BA from the University of New Mexico in Spanish and Sociology with a concentration in Law, and her Masters Degree in Latin American Studies. Valeria obtained her JD from the same institution, where she was a Professional Articles Editor with the Law Review and President of the Mexican American Law Student Association. She was also part of the Community Lawyering clinic, where she focused her work on serving the immigrant community.

After graduating law school, Valeria worked for a civil defense firm in Albuquerque, where she refined her research and writing skills. She then worked as an Associate Attorney and manager at Rebecca Kitson Law, where she practiced in all areas of immigration law, including advanced humanitarian, family, and citizenship case types. Valeria has represented clients in immigration court hearings and has attended multiple USCIS interviews in Albuquerque and other field offices in the United States.