About Maria Santos

Maria L. Santos has practiced law in Massachusetts since 1988 and has over 25 years of experience practicing exclusively in immigration law with focus on employment and family based immigration as well as naturalization. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar and the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. Maria’s clients are local, national and international, representing companies of various sizes in industries such as technology, health care, and engineering services. Private practice attorney since 1988 with license in Massachusetts. Exclusively practicing immigration for over 25 years.

Professional Summary

• Private practice attorney since 1988, licensed in Massachusetts
• Exclusively practicing immigration law for over 25 years

Business History

• 1996–Present: Alphen & Santos, P.C. (formerly Balas, Alphen & Santos, P.C.)
  • Co-founded by Maria Santos and Paul Alphen (retired 2025)
• 1989–1995: Korde & Santos, Chelmsford, MA

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Professional Experience

• Developed employment-based immigration law practice serving small, medium, and large companies
• Advised organizations on immigration policy development and implementation
• Provided counseling on I-9/E-Verify compliance
• Filed and processed non-immigrant petitions including:
  • H-1B, H-2B, TN, E-3, O-1, R-1, and dependents
• Represented individuals in EB-1 and NIW-based visa processes in business, technology, and science sectors
• Handled PERM, I-140, I-485, and consular processing for employment-based immigration
• Managed Blanket L programs and individual L-1 petitions (L-1A and L-1B), including extensive consular processing
• Filed and processed family-based immigration petitions (I-130, I-485, consular processing)
• Represented individuals in DACA, VAWA, and humanitarian parole applications
• Assisted permanent residents with naturalization
• Served in-house at technology consulting company to handle high-volume H-1B and PERM cases; trained and supervised immigration paralegals
• Supervised and trained associates and paralegals over the years

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Teaching Experience

• Adjunct Faculty Member, Rivier College (Early 1990s)
  • Courses: Intro to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research & Writing, Advanced Legal Research & Writing
• MCLE Presentation (2011): What Employment Lawyers Need to Know About Other Practice Areas—Immigration Pitfalls (Live & Webcast)

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Professional Associations

• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA)

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Awards & Recognition

• Portuguese Heritage Award by Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus (2019)
• Honoree, Lowell 100 – International Institute of New England (2019)

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Elected Positions

• Town Representative, Chelmsford, MA (2017–Present)
• Chelmsford School Committee
  • Currently serving third 3-year term
  • Vice-Chair; Former Secretary (2019)

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Board Memberships

• Naveo Credit Union (formerly Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union)
  • Director (1999–Present)
  • Chair (2007–2017); First Vice-Chair/Chair of ALCO (2001–2007, 2017–2018)
  • Chair of Personnel Committee (2017–Present)
• Chelmsford Council of Schools – President (2012–2019)
• Chelmsford English Language Learners Council – Appointed (2018)
• PTO Leadership
  • Center Elementary School – President (2011–2013)
  • McCarthy Middle School – President (2013–2017)
• St. Jeanne D’Arc School – Board of Trustees (2011–2013)
• MAPS (Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers) – Director (1999–2000)
• Rivier College Paralegal Program – Paralegal Advisory Board Member
• Rivier College Alumni Board of Trustees
  • Board Member (1994–1998); Secretary (1995)
• AILA NE
  • Legislative Committee Member (2020–2021)
  • National Day of Action Coordinator (2022, 2023)

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Public Speaking

• Honor Convocation Keynote, Rivier College (1994) – “Commitment to Life”
• MassBank & Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership – First Time Homebuyer Seminar Speaker
• Women’s Week Celebration Keynote (1999) – Lowell, MA
• Elder Volunteers Awards Breakfast Keynote (1999) – Lowell, MA
• Career Day Speaker – Local middle and high schools
• Keynote – Middlesex Community College “People Who Make a Difference” Awards (2000)
• Community & College Workshops – Topics: Immigration, DACA, Legal Education
• MCC Presentations:
  • Immigration and Its History (2017)
  • Immigration in the News – Miles Program (2021)
• UMass Women’s Conference Panelist (2019) – Board Membership
• Guest – Community TV on immigration topics

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Community Service

• Rectora for Peace/Emmaus Retreat (ages 19–29)
• Coach – Lowell Catholic High School Mock Trial Team (1991–1996)
• Volunteer – MAPS Citizenship Program
• Co-Organizer – Go the Distance Self-Awareness Workshop (Lowell Schools)
• Member – Motivators (Portuguese-American civic engagement initiative) funded by Luso-American Foundation

Personal

Mother of twin daughters currently in college

Married to Julio C. Silva

Languages Spoken

• Portuguese (Portugal)
• English