Experienced San Francisco
Immigration Lawyer
When your marriage-based green card, work visa, investor visa, or deportation defense case demands more than a routine filing, Santamaria Law Firm delivers strategic representation with USCIS and before Immigration Courts. Led by Dr. Marc Anthony Santamaria, a UC Berkeley Law Lecturer, S.J.D. (Ph.D. equivalent), the firm combines academic legal insight with 13 years of hands-on experience handling complex immigration matters. Your future deserves more than representation; you deserve results.
- Direct attorney representation
- Multilingual support: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog
- Flexible payment options
Why clients choose Santamaria
Law Firm
Multilingual, Culturally Responsive Representation
The San Francisco team serves the full diversity of the Bay Area in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Tagalog — from translating documents to framing cultural context in a way immigration authorities can understand.
Every Strategy Anchored to Primary Sources
Santamaria Law Firm builds every case strategy directly from the USCIS Policy Manual, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and controlling federal case law in the 9th Circuit and other jurisdictions.
Recognized by Peers, Clients, and Consulates
Santamaria Law Firm has accumulated over 150 five-star Google reviews, alongside a perfect 5.0 rating on Avvo across 22 reviews and a 5.0 on Yelp. Attorney Santamaria has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2020–2022 — a distinction reserved for the top 5% of attorneys, selected through a peer-influenced and research-driven process. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and the firm has been formally recognized by multiple Bay Area consulates and community organizations for its advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities.
13+ Years of Hands-On Immigration Experience
Dr. Marc Anthony Santamaria, S.J.D., has practiced immigration law since 2012, representing clients in some of the most complex cases the field offers — O-1 and EB-1A extraordinary ability visas, E-2 investor visas, asylum, cancellation of removal, removal defense, VAWA, U Visa, adjustment of status, I-601A waivers, BIA appeals, 9th Circuit Petitions for Review, naturalization, change of status to F-1, humanitarian reinstatement, and more. Whatever your situation, this firm brings extensive experience and strategic insight to your case.
Personal Experience with Marriage & Family Immigration
Attorney Santamaria personally navigated the adjustment of status process for his own wife's green card — which means he brings lived understanding, not just legal knowledge, to every family-based case. The firm regularly handles K-1 Fiancé Visas, CR-1 Marriage Visas, I-751 Petitions to Remove Conditions, and family petitions.
Your Attorney, Start to Finish
Attorney Santamaria personally advocates for clients in Immigration Court and USCIS interviews collaborating with his staff that have been in the firm for years. From your first consultation to your final decision, you work with the same attorney. We prepare every client through mock trials and interview simulations before each hearing, so you walk in ready and confident.
Academic Credentials That Strengthen Your Case
Dr. Santamaria holds an LL.M. in Taxation and an S.J.D. (the law equivalent of a Ph.D.), with doctoral research focused on the economic contributions of immigrants. He currently teaches LL.M. Legal Research and Writing at UC Berkeley School of Law. That academic depth directly informs how the firm builds petitions for E-2, O-1, EB-1A, NIW, and TN visas — with the evidentiary rigor those cases demand.
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.
Trauma-Informed Support for Humanitarian Cases
For asylum, VAWA, U Visa, and removal defense matters, the firm collaborates directly with psychologists experienced in immigration contexts. Attorney Santamaria pioneered a cross-training model — developed at San Francisco Law School's Immigration Law Clinic — in which PhD psychology students learn to craft the nuanced psychological evaluations that often make the difference in humanitarian cases.
Truly Complete Legal Services
Because Attorney Santamaria is a licensed immigration attorney (not a notario or document preparer), the firm handles every aspect of your case. In an asylum matter, that means drafting your declaration, completing Form I-589, conducting mock hearings, and representing you in court or at the asylum office. For E-2 investor visas, the team — which includes staff with MBAs and tax degrees — can write a credible business plan built to USCIS standards.
Our Immigration Legal Services in San Francisco
Helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the U.S. immigration system.
Business & Investor Visas
Immigration solutions for entrepreneurs and companies
Santamaria Law firm focuses on E-2 investor visas, L-1 transfers, and EB-5 cases, structuring applications with strong financial documentation and business strategy. Our team brings MBA-level expertise and a strong business-driven approach, reinforced by Attorney Santamaria's advanced LLM in Tax Law from USF School of Law, for a strategic edge in complex cases.
Family-Based Immigration
Green cards and visas through family relationships
Santamaria Law Firm guides clients through marriage-based green cards, fiancé(e) visas, and family petitions. Santamaria Law Firm prepares adjustment of status, consular processing, and waivers, including I-601 and I-601A. We prepare you for your USCIS interview and stand by your side when it matters most.
Humanitarian Relief & Defense
Representation in Immigration Court and with USCIS
Santamaria Law firm focuses on asylum, U visas, VAWA, SIJS, and deportation defense, building and defending cases through detailed evidence, legal analysis, and protection-focused strategy. Attorney Santamaria taught asylum law at San Francisco Law School (Alliant University).
Unique and Complex Immigration Cases
End-to-End Support for Changing and Adjusting Status
Santamaria Law Firm handles F-1 change of status, F-1 reinstatement, I-751 removal of conditions, green card renewals, humanitarian reinstatement, and naturalization (N-400), along with BIA appeals, Ninth Circuit petitions for review, and interview preparation in compliance with USCIS policies and CFR.
Trusted Credentials and Professional Affiliations
Santamaria Law Firm is led by Dr. Marc Anthony Santamaria, who has verified academic, legal, and professional credentials from reputable institutions.
Select any logo to view detailed profile information.
Dr. Marc Anthony Santamaria holds an active California law license (Bar #284643), issued by the State Bar of California, authorizing him to practice immigration law and represent clients before USCIS, EOIR, and federal courts.
Clients rate Santamaria Law Firm 5.0 stars on Yelp and describe Attorney Santamaria’s work in asylum, marriage-based green cards, removal defense, and business visas.
Dr. Santamaria earned his S.J.D. in International Law from Golden Gate University School of Law, the law equivalent of a Ph.D., with research on the economic contributions of immigrants to the United States.
Dr. Santamaria contributes legal commentary to El Tecolote, San Francisco's bilingual Spanish-English newspaper, and publishes immigration analysis for the Bay Area’s Latino community.
Dr. Santamaria teaches LL.M. Legal Research and Writing at UC Berkeley School of Law, training advanced students in primary-source research used in client cases, including USCIS policy, federal regulations, and case law.
Attorney Santamaria holds membership in AILA, the national immigration lawyers’ association requiring verified licensure and ethical compliance in U.S. immigration practice.
Dr. Santamaria earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of San Francisco School of Law, enabling him to prepare evidence-driven petitions for E-2, EB-1A, NIW, and TN visas involving financial and business analysis.
Dr. Santamaria provided expert legal analysis to AsAmNews on deportation policy, due process, and the rule of law affecting immigrant communities across the United States.
Attorney Santamaria appeared on FOX 2 KTVU, the Bay Area’s Fox affiliate, delivering on-air legal analysis of H-1B visa policy changes and explaining their impact on employers and skilled foreign professionals.
Clients give Attorney Santamaria a 5.0 rating on Avvo across 22 verified reviews, recognizing his representation in asylum, family immigration, business visas, and removal defense in San Francisco.
Justia verifies Attorney Marc Anthony Santamaria’s licensure and publishes his legal profile, confirming his active status as a licensed immigration attorney admitted to the State Bar of California.
Dr. Santamaria serves as Refugee Concerns Coordinator at CATESOL, California's statewide ESL educators' association, bridging immigration law and language access advocacy for immigrant communities.
Trusted by clients seeking immigration legal representation in San Francisco, including asylum, waivers, and employment-based cases.
Trusted by Clients Across San Francisco Immigration Cases
Real client feedback on Google from individuals we’ve represented in asylum cases, waivers, green card applications, immigration court proceedings, and more
★★★★★
nadja reichardt
"Outstanding service. I highly recommend the Santamaria Law Firm. Skip the other guys, who don’t pick up the phone, respond late, act busy and blatantly demand a whopping $280 for a basic meeting, just to ask your name and service needs. That is a red flag, and I called a dozen of them in the Bay Area. The Santamaria Law Firm responded immediately to my query. Short and clear service details, questions and a highly industry competitive quote all flew into my inbox like breath of fresh air among the other stale responses. Furthermore, the Santamaria Law Firm went above and beyond in their efforts to prepare me for my case. Excellent communication and an over abundance of preparation made me feel genuinely cared for and confident in achieving my goal, which I did! I feel blessed to have found the Santamaria Law Firm, and I hope many others will have the same positive experience."
★★★★★
juliet barroga
"5 years ago i was looking for a lawyer who handles immigration cases. I went to 2 lawyers but both says they dont handle immigration cases anymore because its kinda complicated, but one of them refer me to Atty Marc Santa maria . All the staff that i talked with during the process was all very nice and they all have the patience, they make sure they get all your details and information. Although it took almost 5 years for my case to finish the waiting is worth it because the case was Approved by the immigration. I was very happy with the outcome and thankful that i had him Atty Santa Maria handle actually my step sons case ( humanitarian Reinstatement ) Job well done. Thank you to all the staff who was assigned to assist my case and specially to Atty Marc."
★★★★★
paul alejandro angeldones...
"Estoy agradecido con mi abogado Marc,quien me acompaño a mi audiencia d asilo.su preparación compromiso y disposición para abogar por mi marcaron la diferencia en este momento muy importante.Tambien quiero expresar mi sincero agradecimiento a mi administradora de caso Selene ,por su apoyo constante. Ambos presentaron una evidencia sólida y clara, gracias por su esfuerzo en conjunto, me senti acompañado y bien representado durante todo el proceso ."
★★★★★
Johanna Recinos
"Recientemente gane mi caso de Asilo y no tengo palabras suficientes para agradecer al abogado Marc Santamaria y a todo su equipo por su excelente trabajo. Ellos me prepararon para ir confiadamente a mi audiencia final. Gracias a mi administradora de caso Selene, quien siempre estuvo pendiente, brindándome apoyo y manteniéndome informada sobre mi caso durante todo el proceso. Recomiendo al abogado Marc para cualquier persona que esté buscando un equipo legal de asilo confiable, comprometido y humilde."
Ma. Alexandra Orjuela Pardo
★★★★★
"I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks for the wonderful service I received from Santamaria Law. My immigration case was definitely not straightforward, but they handled everything with such expertise and care, and I'm so happy to say I became a citizen last week! I've been working with Santamaria Law for about seven years now, and I've always been really impressed. They're consistently disciplined, totally committed, and always professional in everything they do for me. They've really been there for me whenever I've needed help. By the way, if you feel more comfortable communicating in Spanish, they have Spanish-speaking members on their team. If you're looking for a great legal team for immigration, especially if things are a bit complicated, I highly recommend Santamaria Law. I'm so grateful for their support and the fantastic outcome!"