Alma brings a wealth of experience in immigration law to the team, having worked as an Associate Attorney and Partner at Rios & Cruz, P.S. for six years, a partner at Global Justice Law Group for three years, and a partner at Immigrant Advocacy and Litigation Center for three years before joining Novo Legal Group. Alma is passionate about advocating for noncitizens in immigration detention. From 2015-2019, Alma served as one of the EOIR-appointed representatives for immigration detainees found mentally incompetent to represent themselves in removal proceedings at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. From 2018-2021, she served as the immigration appellate attorney for Prisoner Legal Services New York (PLS) with a focus on appeals for detained clients. She also provided litigation mentorship and training to the staff attorneys in PLS' immigration unit. 

Throughout her career, Alma has volunteered her time as pro bono counsel for various NGOs, including Al Otro Lado, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice (VAIJ), Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC). Before attending law school, Alma was actively involved in human rights advocacy. She is admitted to the California State Bar Association and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Alma has held numerous leadership positions. She has served on the Executive Committee and co-chaired the ICE Liaison committee of AILA's Washington chapter. Her expertise and dedication to the field have led her to be a sought-after presenter and speaker at various AILA events and conferences.

Alma's practice focused on a wide range of immigration law areas, including removal defense,  asylum, U-visas, and appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Administrative Appeals Office, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her extensive knowledge and experience enable her to provide clients with the highest level of legal representation, ensuring they receive the support and guidance they need to navigate the complex immigration system.

Alma is currently taking a leave from client-centered work to focus on raising her children, though she continues to volunteer her energy to various efforts to advance and protect immigrants' rights.