Immigration
These services offer support for Green Cards, fiancé(e) visas, naturalization, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and other immigration-related matters — handled with firsthand understanding of what's at stake.
Boston Metro Area · Massachusetts
Immigration & Family Law
Your Family's Partner In Legal Success.
Saravia Law, P.L.L.C., led by Attorney Elmaya Saravia, offers comprehensive legal services in Immigration, Family Law, Contract Law and Estate Planning. Serving the Boston Metro Area with integrity and compassion.
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I pledge to approach every client with the utmost respect and integrity, ensuring open and trustworthy communication throughout our engagement. I am dedicated to keeping you fully apprised of any updates regarding your case, be it in immigration, estate planning and probate, criminal law, or divorce and family law. Rest assured, you can always reach out to me with any queries or concerns. My approach is friendly and grounded, aiming to make our interactions as relatable and straightforward as possible.
Estate Planning & Probate
Solutions to individuals and families in managing their assets and ensuring the smooth transfer of wealth to beneficiaries.— protecting the people and property you care about most.
Family Law
Offer compassionate and knowledgeable legal assistance to individuals and families navigating sensitive family-related matters such as divorce, child custody, guardianship, and adoption.
Contract Review
We review contracts and legal agreements to help clients understand their rights, obligations, and potential risks before signing. Our goal is to identify unfavorable terms, clarify key provisions, and ensure the agreement aligns with your interests and objectives.
Elmaya Saravia
Founder & Attorney
Meet Your Attorney
Elmaya Saravia
I can alleviate much of the stress if you speak with me early in the process. I can review your facts, explain how the laws apply and discuss your legal options in both immigration and family law cases, or help you understand the steps we need to take to create a comprehensive estate plan. I can save time by ensuring that your paperwork and documents are filed correctly and in a timely fashion, and that you have the information necessary to move forward.
“My goal is to be not just your lawyer, but a trusted advisor and advocate.”
- B.S. Biology & B.A. English — Azusa Pacific University
- J.D. — University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- 750+
- Cases closed
- 1000+
- Clients served
- 7+
- Years in practice
Client Stories
What clients say
Lovely attorney who helped me draft and execute my prenup. Walked me through every stage and was always prompt to answer my questions. Random text for demo!
Elmaya walked me through every step of my green card process in plain English — no jargon, no runaround. I finally feel secure.
I needed my estate plan updated after my divorce and didn't know where to start. Elmaya made it painless, and even a little reassuring.
As a queer immigrant, I was terrified of being misunderstood by a lawyer. Elmaya got it immediately.
Client testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of any other matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and the outcome of any matter depends on its own facts and law.
You belong here.
As a nonbinary attorney, I know firsthand how complicated immigration and family law can get for LGBTQ+ people — and how much it matters to work with someone who already understands, instead of having to explain yourself from scratch.
This practice is a place where your relationships, your chosen family, and your identity are treated as fact, not debate.
- Judgment-free consultations, from the first phone call
- Your name and pronouns are respected — always, without exception
- Direct experience with LGBTQ+ immigration and family cases
Case Examples
Work That Speaks for Itself
A few of the outcomes clients have trusted this practice to deliver. Details are shared with permission and lightly generalized for privacy.
Immigration Court · Asylum
A last-minute case, won
Built a stronger asylum claim after a client was let go by his previous attorney days before his hearing. He was granted asylum, and a green card a year later.
Probate & Family Court · Divorce
Resolving a service issue
Cleared a service-of-process obstacle for a spouse living abroad, then negotiated amicable terms for a divorce to conclude at the first hearing.
Probate & Family Court · Custody
Rebuilding a parenting plan
Negotiated weekly parenting time and a month of summer vacation for a father who hadn't seen his daughter in two years.
Immigration Court · Bond
Bringing a client home
Won a minimal bond for a client wrongfully detained by ICE and secured a change of venue to return his case to Boston.
USCIS & Probate Court · SIJS
Filed just in time
Obtained a Judgment for Dependency and filed a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petition days before a client's 21st birthday deadline.
USCIS · TPS
Navigating e-filing under pressure
Guided a client through USCIS's online filing system to secure Temporary Protected Status and work authorization within months.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and the outcome of any matter depends on its own facts and law.
Proud Member Of
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
My spouse is a U.S. citizen. Can I apply for a green card after we get married?
Yes — though the exact process depends on your situation. Typically it's a two-step process: the I-130 petition, followed by the green card application itself. If your spouse is a U.S. citizen, both steps can often be filed together.
What's the difference between a 1A and 1B divorce in Massachusetts?
A 1A divorce is a joint petition — both spouses work together to prepare and file, which is usually faster and less contentious. A 1B divorce happens when the parties can't agree on terms, which typically takes longer and involves more court process.
I'm nonbinary and my home country isn't safe for queer people. Do I qualify for asylum?
Quite possibly. Asylum requires a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group — and queer identity claims frequently satisfy that standard.
Do I really need an estate plan in my 30s?
If you own any assets — real estate, a business, even savings — yes. Massachusetts has default intestate succession laws, but an estate plan lets you decide who gets what, rather than leaving it to a formula.
Do you review contracts outside of immigration and family law?
Yes. I regularly review leases, employment agreements, and other contracts so clients understand exactly what they're agreeing to before they sign.
Get In Touch
Let’s talk about your case
Reach out for a consultation and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
- Office
- 432A Massachusetts Ave, Suite 1
Arlington, MA 02474 - Phone
- 781-996-3693
- admin@saravialaw.com