Maria Santos
Alphen & Santos, P.C.
Maria Santos Business Law
Alphen & Santos, P.C.
Rating:
Firm Summary
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.
BUSINESS HISTORY
1996- present Alphen & Santos, P.C.
(formerly Balas, Alphen & Santos PC)-firm
was co-founded by Maria Santos and Paul Alphen who
retired in 2025
1989 –1995 Korde & Santos, Chelmsford, MA
(formerly Balas, Alphen & Santos PC)-firm
was co-founded by Maria Santos and Paul Alphen who
retired in 2025
1989 –1995 Korde & Santos, Chelmsford, MA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Developed an immigration employment based law practice,
representing small, medium and large companies
Providing counseling on formulation and implementation of the
organization’s immigration policy
Counseling on I-9 /E-verify compliance matters for organizations
Filing and processing non-immigrant petitions including H-1b,
H-2b, TN, E-3, O-1 & R-1 and their dependents
Representing individuals in Eb-1 and NIW based immigration visa
processes for business, technology and science
Filing and processing PERM, I-140’s and I-485’s and consular
processing for employment based immigration
Filing Blanket L’s, extending and maintaining the blanket L
program for employer sponsoring L-1b’s and L-1a’s from India
and various consulates in Europe; processing individual L-1 petitions for various clients
Filing and processing I-130’s , I-485’s and/or consular processing for family based immigration
Representing individuals in DACA processes, VAWA and Humanitarian parole requests
Representing permanent residents of USA filign for Naturalization
Going in-house at technology consulting company client to consult and process H-1b’s and PERM based immigrant visas at high volume ; training and overseeing the work of immigration paralegals at the client site and at the firm
Over the years, managed and supervised associates and paralegals, including on-going training for staff
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
College Instructor: Adjunct faculty member at Rivier College in the
Paralegal Studies Program early 1990’s. Courses taught:
Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research and Writing and
Advanced Legal Research and Writing
MCLE Presentation – What Employment Lawyers Need to Know
About Other Practice Areas—Immigration Pitfalls–February 15, 2011
live and webcast
Paralegal Studies Program early 1990’s. Courses taught:
Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research and Writing and
Advanced Legal Research and Writing
MCLE Presentation – What Employment Lawyers Need to Know
About Other Practice Areas—Immigration Pitfalls–February 15, 2011
live and webcast
EDUCATION:
1988 BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL, J. D.
1985 RIVIER COLLEGE, Bachelor of Science– Summa Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Member of the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA)
AWARDS/RECOGNITION:
Received the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus
Portuguese Heritage Award in June of 2019 (nominated by
Representative Tami L. Gouveia)
Honoree of Lowell 100 by the International Institute of New
England for commitment to immigrants in the Lowell community in 2019
ELECTED POSITIONS:
Town Representative, Chelmsford, MA 2017 to present
School Committee Elected — currently serving third 3 year term,
Vice-Chair, Chelmsford, MA
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Naveo Credit Union (formerly Cambridge Portuguese Credit Union—130 million asset size financial institution with two branches serving Somerville, Cambridge and surrounding areas)
–Board Chair from 2007 to 2017; First Vice-Chair and Chair or the ALCO (Asset, Liability and Investments management committee)
2001-2007; 2017 to 2018; Chair of Personnel Committee 2017 to present; Director from 1999 to present
Chelmsford Council of Schools, President 2012 to 2019
–Board Chair from 2007 to 2017; First Vice-Chair and Chair or the ALCO (Asset, Liability and Investments management committee)
2001-2007; 2017 to 2018; Chair of Personnel Committee 2017 to present; Director from 1999 to present
Chelmsford Council of Schools, President 2012 to 2019
Chelmsford English Language Learners Council for Chelmsford
Public Schools District—appointed 2018
Center Elementary School Chelmsford, MA, PTO President 2011 to 2013
McCarthy Middle School Chelsmford MA, PTO President 2013-2017
St. Jeanne D’Arc Independent Catholic School (Elementary school) member Board of Trustees 2011-2013
Director for the Board of MAPS (1999-2000)
Member of the Paralegal Advisory Board Members for the Rivier
College Paralegal Program which is ABA approved and accredited
Secretary on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Board of
Trustees, Rivier College 1995; Board Member 1994-1998
Chelmsford School Committee member and Secretary of the
Board in 2019, currently Vice-Chair
AILA NE member of the Legislative Committee 2020-21; AILA NE
coordinator for National Day of Action 2022 and 2023
Center Elementary School Chelmsford, MA, PTO President 2011 to 2013
McCarthy Middle School Chelsmford MA, PTO President 2013-2017
St. Jeanne D’Arc Independent Catholic School (Elementary school) member Board of Trustees 2011-2013
Director for the Board of MAPS (1999-2000)
Member of the Paralegal Advisory Board Members for the Rivier
College Paralegal Program which is ABA approved and accredited
Secretary on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Board of
Trustees, Rivier College 1995; Board Member 1994-1998
Chelmsford School Committee member and Secretary of the
Board in 2019, currently Vice-Chair
AILA NE member of the Legislative Committee 2020-21; AILA NE
coordinator for National Day of Action 2022 and 2023
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Addressed the Honor Students of Rivier College in 1994 at Honors
Convocation in a motivational speech entitled “Commitment to Life.”
Presenter at the annual First Time Home Buyer’s Seminar sponsored by MassBank for Savings and Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership seminars
Keynote Speaker Women’s Week Celebration 1999–Lowell, MA
Keynote Speaker Elder Volunteers Awards Breakfast 1999–Lowell,MA
Regular Career Day Speaker for various area middle schools and Lowell High School
Keynote Speaker for the People Who Make a Difference Award
Ceremony for Middlesex Community College, Lowell, MA in 2000
Various workshops and presentations at community colleges and
guest speaker on immigration topics such as DACA and other
pertinent immigration topics
Middlesex Community College: presentation on immigration and its history 2017
UMass Women’s Conference 2019: member of panel of Board Membership
Immigration in the News for the Middlesex Community College Miles Program 2021
Guest on community TV programs on issues of immigration
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Rectora for Peace/Emmaus movement (a Retreat for ages 19-2Coach for the Lowell Catholic High School Mock Trial Team 1991-1996
Citizenship Program Volunteer through MAPS –preparing individuals from various cultures for naturalization
Co-organizer and Creator: Go the Distance, a self-awareness workshop for teenagers in Lowell schools (sponsored by Middlesex Community College)
Member of the “Motivators” in the Portuguese-American Lowell community. This group was funded by the Luso American Foundation to motivate community voting by Portuguese-Americans
Languages: Fluent in Portuguese (Portugal) and Fluent in English
Co-organizer and Creator: Go the Distance, a self-awareness workshop for teenagers in Lowell schools (sponsored by Middlesex Community College)
Member of the “Motivators” in the Portuguese-American Lowell community. This group was funded by the Luso American Foundation to motivate community voting by Portuguese-Americans
Languages: Fluent in Portuguese (Portugal) and Fluent in English
Personal: Married to Julio C. Silva with twin daughters both in college
Honors: summa cum laude