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 the senior attorney in charge of overseeing all immigration matters for Kingston, Martinez & Hogan. He 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 has been certified by the California State Bar as an Immigration and Nationality Law Specialist. Tanya specializes in employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas. She received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. 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. Tanya is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.

Primary Areas: 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, Post-Conviction Relief

ANDREA M. ANAYA

Partner

Andrea Anaya is a Partner with Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP. She practices immigration law, specializing in family-based immigration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), deportation/removal defense, crimmigration and federal immigration litigation. 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, Santa Barbara County Bar Association and Mexican American Bar Association.

Primary Areas: Deportation/Removal Defense, Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers (I-601A), Waivers of Grounds of Inadmissibility (I-601), and Waivers for Permission to Reapply for Admission (I-212), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Post-Conviction Relief

HELENE M. GRADOW

Senior Attorney

Helene Gradow is an attorney at Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP currently specializing in Special Juvenile Immigrant Visas and I-9 Compliance and Inspections. She 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 and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.

Primary Areas: Special Juvenile Immigrant Visas, Treaty Investors (E-2), Treaty Traders (E-1), Immigration Compliance for Employers, I-9 Inspections

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), Consular Processing, Adjustment of Status, Fiancé Visa Petition (K-1); Applications to Remove Conditional Status, Applications to Replace Permanent Resident Cards

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 bicycling with her son.

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

LIANA FLORES-PULIDO

Legal Assistant

Liana Flores is the Legal Assistant to Andrea Anaya. She received her Associate Degree in Administration of Justice at Santa Barbara City College, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at California State University San Marcos. Liana joined the firm with prior experience assisting immigrants with requesting DACA and permanent residence at another law firm. Liana joined Kingston, Martinez & Hogan LLP in 2020 and assists with removing conditions for permanent residents and citizenship cases. Liana is second-generation Mexican-American and speaks fluent Spanish. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara. In her free time, Liana enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with family.

Practice Areas: Removal of Conditions for Permanent Residence (I-751), Naturalization, Employment/Travel Authorization Renewals

ANASTASIA COHEN

Legal Assistant

Anastasia Cohen is the Legal Assistant to Tanya Ahlman. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University, and 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, as well as reducing food waste and hunger in her local community.

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

NATASHA FRANCO

Receptionist

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.

You can reach us at our Santa Barbara Immigration office.