About Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP

Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP is an AV-rated immigration law firm dedicated to providing comprehensive immigration assistance for employment-based and family-based immigrants. We are committed to providing quality legal assistance at competitive rates. For the past 40 years, we have represented international corporations in the transfer of personnel, as well as assisting individuals seeking to immigrate to United States. Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP represents individuals in removal proceedings and provides advice regarding post-conviction relief.

ABBE ALLEN KINGSTON

Partner

Abbe Kingston is a founding partner of the firm and has practiced immigration law in Santa Barbara for over 40 years. He has been certified by the California State Bar as an Immigration and Nationality Law Specialist since 1988. He was appointed as a Commissioner on the California State Bar Commission on Legal Specialization for a period of three years. Abbe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his law degree from Loyola Law School in Santa Barbara. Abbe has published several law review articles, as well as appeared on local and national news as an immigration expert. He is a lecturer on immigration related matters at national and international conferences, including the annual conference for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Abbe is admitted to practice law in the State of California. He has a number of published decisions from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.

TANYA A. AHLMAN

Partner

Tanya Ahlman is a Partner at Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP. She oversees the employment-based immigration practice for the firm. She has been certified by the California State Bar as an Immigration and Nationality Law Specialist. She received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her underlying Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in History and German. Tanya is a first-generation German-American whose mother came to the U.S. on a K-1 visa. She is admitted to practice law in California, New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (inactive). Tanya is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.

Primary Areas: Employment-Based Immigration, Immigrant Visa Petitions (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing Immigrant Visa Petitions, Treaty Investors (E-2), Intracompany Transfer Visas (L), Extraordinary Ability Visas (O), Professional Athlete Visas (P), Naturalization

ANDREA M. ANAYA

Partner

Andrea Anaya is a Partner with Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP. She oversees the family-based immigration and removal defense practice for the firm. She has been certified by the California State Bar as an Immigration and Nationality Law Specialist. Andrea received her B.A in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her J.D. from the Santa Barbara College of Law. She is a first-generation Mexican-American, born to immigrant parents. She is licensed by the State Bar of California and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Santa Barbara County Bar Association, and Mexican American Bar Association.

Primary Areas: Family-Based Immigration, Deportation/Removal Defense, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Post-Conviction Relief, Naturalization

HELENE M. GRADOW

Of Counsel

Helene Gradow graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara (UCLA) in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Helene attended Southwestern University School of Law where she earned her law degree in 1983. Prior to joining Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP, Helene practiced corporate law for a large law firm in Santa Barbara. She has over 20 years of experience specializing in international business transactions and immigration compliance for employers. She is licensed by the State Bar of California.

ALEXANDER NEDER

Immigration Specialist

Alexander Neder earned his Bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master’s degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. He received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin. Alexander has over 14 years of experience with immigration law, including employment with large international law firms.

Primary Areas: Specialty Occupation Visas (H-1B/E-3/H-1B1), NAFTA Visas (TN), Student Visas (F-1)

CARMELA SARAGOSA

Paralegal & Office Manager

Carmela Saragosa has over thirty years of experience with family-based immigration petitions. She first joined Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP in 1987. Prior to rejoining Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP in 1995, Carmela was a legal secretary for DeWitt Ross & Stevens (formerly Ross & Stevens) in Wisconsin. Carmela is a native Spanish speaker and first generation Mexican-American. She is a long-time resident of Carpinteria and is active in local community and church activities.

Primary Areas: Marriage and Family-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions (I-130), Adjustment of Status, Fiancé Visa Petition (K-1)

RACHEL YODER

Paralegal

Rachel Yoder received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her Paralegal Certificate from Tacoma Community College. She joined Kingston, Martinez & Hogan in 2009 as a paralegal. Prior to joining the firm, Rachel completed an internship at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Tacoma. She has over 12 years of experience with specialty occupation visas and permanent labor certifications. Rachel resides in Santa Barbara, with her husband, Josiah, and son, Leo.

Primary Areas: Permanent Labor Certifications (PERM), Specialty Occupation Visas (H-1B/E-3/H-1B1), NAFTA Visas (TN)

GISELA MAYA

Legal Assistant

Gisela joined Kingston, Martinez & Hogan, LLP as a Legal Assistant in 2019. She is a first-generation Mexican-American, whose first language is Spanish. Born in Mexico, Gisela immigrated to the U.S. as a child. Having experienced the difficulties of moving to a new country and adapting to a new language and culture, she is passionate about helping other immigrant families overcome these hurdles. Gisela’s background in human resources and passion for helping others makes her an asset for the preparation of waiver petitions. Gisela is a long-time resident of Carpinteria and enjoys reading and spending time with her children.

Primary Areas: Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers (I-601A), Waivers of Grounds of Inadmissibility (I-601), Waivers for Permission to Reapply for Admission (I-212)

ANASTASIA COHEN

Paralegal

Anastasia Cohen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University. She grew up in New York as a first generation Russian-American immigrant and native Russian speaker. Having grown up in immigrant communities, and having road tripped across America, Anastasia believes diversity and immigration play a crucial role in American culture. Anastasia is passionate about vegan cooking, and enjoys creating and sharing plant-based versions of traditional cultural dishes.

Primary Areas: Immigrant Visa Petitions (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), Intracompany Transfer Visas (L), Extraordinary Ability Visas (O), Naturalization

NATASHA FRANCO

Paralegal

Natasha is a first-generation Mexican-American and speaks fluent Spanish. She received three Associate’s Degrees at Santa Barbara City College in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, and Sociology. She then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Natasha is passionate about prison reform and voting rights, having volunteered with Initiate Justice to educate incarcerated individuals and their family. She also loves animals and volunteers to help animals at the local animal shelter.

Primary Areas: Marriage and Family-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions (I-130), Consular Processing for Family-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions

ELSIE OCHOA AYALA

Legal Assistant/Receptionist

Elsie received her Associate’s degree in Political Science at Santa Barbara City College. She then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, focusing on International Relations. Elsie is a Santa Barbara native who is passionate about serving her community. She also enjoys creating art, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Primary Areas: Removal of Conditions for Permanent Residence (I-751), Naturalization (N-400), Derivative Citizenship (N-600), Military Parole-in-Place

GABRIELA AYALA

Receptionist/Legal Assistant

Gabriela is a first generation Mexican-American whose first language is Spanish. Gaby attended Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana for Business Administration. Family is a fundamental part of her life, which makes her passionate about helping others. Gaby enjoys going to the beach, hiking and traveling. 

Primary Areas: Applications to Replace Permanent Resident Cards

You can reach us at our Santa Barbara Immigration office.