Alma d. puente fOUNDER & IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
Years of Proficiency & Commitment
Alma D. Puente is the founder of the Law Office of Alma D. Puente, APLC, where she has dedicated her career to representing individuals and families in immigration matters, including removal defense, asylum, adjustment of status, and appellate advocacy before the BIA and Ninth Circuit. A graduate of Loyola Law School, she brings over two decades of experience, including prior service as a Supervisory Adjudications Officer with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services and as an Immigration Inspector with legacy Immigration & Naturalization Service.
From 2020 to 2024, Ms. Puente served as a Councilmember for the City of El Monte, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem. She currently serves on the Women’s Advisory Board for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and as a board member of the Mexican-American Bar Association, where she has been a long-standing leader.
She is also a proud mother of three sons, including twins, and remains deeply committed to advancing justice and opportunity for immigrant communities.
Education:
Loyola Law School, J.D., 2004
Chapman University, BA, 1996
Admissions:
State Bar of California, 2004
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2006
U.S. Supreme Court, 2009
Memberships:
Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member, Immigration Section, 2005)
Mexican American Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member
Education:
Southwestern Law School, J.D., 2022
California Baptist University, BA & BS,
Admissions:
State Bar of California, 2022
Central District of California, 2024
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2024
Memberships:
Los Angeles County Bar Association (Immigration Section, 2022)
Mexican American Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Latina Lawyer Bar Association
Dulce N. Velasquez — Associate Immigration Attorney
Community Advocate
Dulce N. Velasquez joined the Law Office of Alma D. Puente in November 2022. Before joining the Law Office of Alma D. Puente, she worked as a paralegal at a private immigration practice in Pasadena, CA. A graduate of Southwestern Law School, she has extensive immigration law experience, including family-based petitions, waivers, and removal defense. She has also successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
She is a first-generation Honduran—American. Her cultural background and deep commitment to community allow her to zealously advocate for her clients. When she is not practicing law, you can find her helping run her family-owned cafe (Bevel Coffee) in Altadena, working out, or spending time with her family and friends.
Our Amazing Team
Martha Chias
Office Administrator
Luis Rios
Legal Assistant
Karen Saravia
Legal Assistant
Elizabeth Espinal
Legal Assistant
Galilea Onate
Receptionist