Melissa Mora

Associate

Melissa Mora

Melissa Mora
Melissa Mora
  • People

Associate

Melissa Mora

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

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Melissa is an Associate at Fragomen’s Los Angeles office, where she counsels clients on all areas of employment-based immigration, including immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. She also assists clients with family-based immigration matters, such as I-130 petitions, Adjustment of Status and naturalization.

Melissa has a wide range of immigration defense experience, including representing criminally charged non-citizens, juvenile immigrants and victims of domestic violence at both the trial and appellate levels. Additionally, Melissa has experience representing clients in affirmative immigration matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and providing immigration advice to criminal defense colleagues and their clients.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Melissa worked exclusively in nonprofit and pro bono settings, including at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, CUNY Law Immigration Clinic, Legal Aid Society and New York County Defender Services.

Melissa speaks English and Spanish.

Education

  • City University of New York School of Law, J.D., 2017
  • University of California, San Diego, B.A., 2012

More from Melissa

Admissions

Bar Admissions: New York

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member, Cafecito Latina Lawyer Network

Mentor, LatinoJustice Next Generation Líderes

Experience

Successfully defended more than 10 clients against deportation from the United States

Won a remand and eventual termination of a deportation case from the Board of Immigration Appeals, as well as two appeals with the Administrative Appeals Office

Secured a Clemency Grant from the New York Governor for a client who was facing deportation

Successfully briefed and argued several Motions to Terminate based on regulatory violations

Obtained Special Immigrant Juvenile Status grants for young immigrants fleeing violence and persecution

Successfully advocated for the release of a client in federal immigration custody

Publications and lectures

Panelist, “Public Interest Lawyering.” LatinoJustice Next Generation Líderes’ LAWBound, New York, NY, 4 August 2021.

Speaker, “Law School Career Panel.” LatinoJustice Next Generation Líderes, New York, NY, 11 March 2021.

Speaker, “Law Panel.” First Tech Fund, New York, NY, 18 November 2020.

Speaker, “What Can You Do With A Law Degree?” LatinoJustice Next Generation Líderes, New York, NY, 28 May 2020.

Panelist, “Organizing the Legal Workplace.” CUNY Labor Coalition, New York, NY, 25 November 2019.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 310 424 4338

F:+1 310 820 2702

Los Angeles

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

444 South Flower Street, Suite 500

Los Angeles CA 90071

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill discusses factors behind the decline in UK student visa applications, including recruitment restrictions, rising costs and changes to post-study work rights.

Learn more

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Comment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior ApprovalsLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region

Fragomen has appointed Timo Heck as Managing Partner of the DACH region, encompassing Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight professionals in Fragomen’s Mexico City office have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ for Immigration Law.

Learn more

Blog post

How Employers Can Support Integration and Retain International Talent in Germany

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explores how employers in Germany can look beyond the initial immigration process to support integration, long-term stability and the retention of international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Scottish Legal News: Scotland’s Investment Ambitions Depend on Workforce Readiness

Director Kelly Hardman explores why workforce planning is essential to Scotland’s investment ambitions and long-term economic growth.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS Proposal to Eliminate the 60-day Grace PeriodLearn more

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Comment on DHS proposal to impose up to $100,000 in Optional Practical Training FeesLearn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Director: Fixed-Term Contract Limits Squeeze Visa Sponsorship, Research Warns

Co-authors Partner Charles Johanes, Senior Counsel Anna Boucher and Allens Partner Tarsha Gavin explore the intersection of Australia’s migration and employment laws and the implications for employers sponsoring temporary visa holders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Prawo: Pracodawca na pierwszej linii: jak reforma zatrudniania cudzoziemców przesuwa odpowiedzialność na firmy

Partner Karolina Schiffter examines how Poland’s proposed foreign employment reforms could increase employers’ administrative and compliance responsibilities.

Learn more

Blog post

Trusted Digital Identity Is Critical Infrastructure for Global Mobility

In the first blog in a new series, Managing Director, Digital Identity Amit Sharma explores why trusted digital identity is becoming increasingly important to global mobility, how reusable digital credentials could work and why interoperability across systems and jurisdictions will be critical.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Global Talent Visa vs Innovator Founder Visa: A Guide for Tech Professionals, Researchers and Founders

Senior Associate Amelia Haynes compares the UK’s Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa routes, examining who each route may suit, the evidence required, professional flexibility and potential pathways to settlement.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill discusses factors behind the decline in UK student visa applications, including recruitment restrictions, rising costs and changes to post-study work rights.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Comment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior ApprovalsLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region

Fragomen has appointed Timo Heck as Managing Partner of the DACH region, encompassing Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight professionals in Fragomen’s Mexico City office have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ for Immigration Law.

Learn more

Blog post

How Employers Can Support Integration and Retain International Talent in Germany

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explores how employers in Germany can look beyond the initial immigration process to support integration, long-term stability and the retention of international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Scottish Legal News: Scotland’s Investment Ambitions Depend on Workforce Readiness

Director Kelly Hardman explores why workforce planning is essential to Scotland’s investment ambitions and long-term economic growth.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS Proposal to Eliminate the 60-day Grace PeriodLearn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS proposal to impose up to $100,000 in Optional Practical Training FeesLearn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Director: Fixed-Term Contract Limits Squeeze Visa Sponsorship, Research Warns

Co-authors Partner Charles Johanes, Senior Counsel Anna Boucher and Allens Partner Tarsha Gavin explore the intersection of Australia’s migration and employment laws and the implications for employers sponsoring temporary visa holders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Prawo: Pracodawca na pierwszej linii: jak reforma zatrudniania cudzoziemców przesuwa odpowiedzialność na firmy

Partner Karolina Schiffter examines how Poland’s proposed foreign employment reforms could increase employers’ administrative and compliance responsibilities.

Learn more

Blog post

Trusted Digital Identity Is Critical Infrastructure for Global Mobility

In the first blog in a new series, Managing Director, Digital Identity Amit Sharma explores why trusted digital identity is becoming increasingly important to global mobility, how reusable digital credentials could work and why interoperability across systems and jurisdictions will be critical.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Global Talent Visa vs Innovator Founder Visa: A Guide for Tech Professionals, Researchers and Founders

Senior Associate Amelia Haynes compares the UK’s Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa routes, examining who each route may suit, the evidence required, professional flexibility and potential pathways to settlement.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
November 13, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 13, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October
November 12, 2026 | United StatesComment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior Approvals
November 12, 2026 | Austria, Germany, SwitzerlandFragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
November 13, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 13, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October
November 12, 2026 | United StatesComment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior Approvals
November 12, 2026 | Austria, Germany, SwitzerlandFragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
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