Influential Woman · Immigration Law

Victoria Pulido

Attorney, Community Law Group, PLLC / Abogados de la Comunidad

Miami, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Washington and Jefferson College Degree Spanish Degree International Studies (Latin America focus) Degree Political Science Degree Ave Maria Degree Law School Cert Florida Bar Member Florida Bar

Her Story

About Victoria

My journey into immigration law began with my family. I come from a family of immigrants, specifically on my dad's side where my grandparents came from Cuba. Growing up with them, I saw them trying to navigate the immigration system with a language barrier since they only spoke Spanish. This personal connection made me interested in helping people in similar positions who might be facing discrimination or hardship while trying to gain legal status in the United States. I knew since high school that I wanted to go into immigration law, and I stayed focused on that goal throughout my education. I graduated from law school in May 2022 and started my first job as an attorney in October 2022. Since then, I've been working exclusively in immigration law. Currently, my main area of focus is on detainees and removal defense, trying to get people to stay in the country or get them released from detention. A typical day for me involves handling court appearances, scheduling appointments with detained clients and their families, conducting client meetings, and reviewing applications we're submitting. The work is challenging and can be disheartening because there are so many negative decisions, but I still love what I do. One of my most memorable achievements was early in my career when I won a cancellation of removal case. It was the first time I prepared a client completely in Spanish without a translator, and everyone told me the case would likely be denied because the judge had a very high denial rate. It was also my first time appearing in person before a judge. Despite all the challenges, we won the case, and it felt like a huge achievement.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Victoria

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would attribute my success to my family. They've always been supportive, maybe not always in the moment, but when they've seen that I've been able to achieve something, they would be supportive after the fact. I always felt like the way that they raised me, I had the option to do what I wanted. I never felt like I was limited in what I could choose to do, or that I was forced to do something over something else. They were always very supportive and just wanted me to do what I wanted and what would make me happy. So I just always followed that direction. Everything that's occurred, I would say, is just because my parents allowed me to think in that way, to be able to achieve what I wanted, regardless if we didn't really have the financial means or anything like that. They never limited me in what I could do. I couldn't imagine feeling the pressure of your parents wanting you to be something specific and you not having the freedom to really decide what you want to do for yourself, and feeling that you need to meet those standards of somebody else.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is probably a huge cliche, but it's to do what you love. I feel like a lot of people say that, and everyone's like, oh yeah, okay, whatever, but I do think there's a lot of truth to it. I never feel, when I'm working or doing the job that I'm doing, that I'm unhappy or that there's something else that I would want to do. I feel very happy with the job that I have and the work that I'm doing. Even though it is really difficult at times, and it can be very disheartening because so many negative decisions can be made that it feels like you're not really making a difference or helping anyone, I still love the job that I'm doing, regardless of all of that. I think doing something that you love is probably the best career advice that I've been given. You hear a lot of attorneys being very upset with sometimes the positions that they're in. A lot of attorneys went into law specifically to make money, which is fine, but that was never my goal when I was deciding to be an attorney. My goal was always to try to do something that I thought that I would like, and something that would make me feel like I had some sort of purpose in my life, and that I was trying to help someone.

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