Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaneliz Del Mar Rosado Fonseca.
Hi Yaneliz Del Mar, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins long before I became an attorney. From a very young age, I felt a deep interest in justice, fairness, ethics and doing what is right. I was the kind of child who questioned why things happened, why people were treated differently and how systems could better protect those who needed to be heard. Over time, that sense of justice became a calling. I knew I wanted to become an attorney not only to practice law, but to use my voice, education and professional experience to help others navigate some of the most difficult and meaningful moments of their lives.
My passion for immigration law also has personal roots. My paternal grandmother was an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. She migrated when she was very young. I remember hearing stories about her journey and what she experienced while traveling with relatives. Those stories stayed with me. They helped shape my understanding of courage, sacrifice, family separation and the hope that often motivates people to leave everything behind in search of safety, stability or a better future. Her experiences became part of the foundation of my desire to serve immigrant families.
Academically, I began my path by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, magna cum laude, from the University of Puerto Rico. I later earned my Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law. I became licensed to practice law in Puerto Rico in 2015, and later became admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Before founding my firm, I had the opportunity to serve in several roles that shaped me both professionally and personally. I worked for six years as an Attorney Advisor with the U.S. Small Business Administration, where I provided legal counsel related to federal disaster loan programs for homeowners and business owners. That experience gave me a strong foundation in federal law, administrative processes and the importance of helping individuals and families rebuild during moments of crisis.
I also taught for three years as an university professor in Puerto Rico in the Criminal Justice Program at Ana G. Méndez University, where I instructed courses such as Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Judicial Procedures and Legal Office Administration. Teaching allowed me to contribute to the formation of future professionals and strengthened my commitment to education, mentorship and public service.
My immigration law work began in Houston, Texas, when I joined YMCA International Services as a Staff Attorney for the Legal Access Services for Reunified Families (LASRF) program. In that role, I provided pro bono legal services to immigrant families and focused heavily on legal relief available to Ms. L Settlement Agreement Class Members and Qualifying Additional Family Members. I had the privilege of assisting more than 130 families with matters involving asylum, withholding of removal, humanitarian parole, parole in place, advance parole, travel documents, employment authorization and other forms of immigration relief before USCIS and the Immigration Court.
That work deeply impacted me. It reminded me that behind every legal case there is a person, a family, a story and often a great deal of courage. It also confirmed that my purpose was to build a practice centered on advocacy, integrity, compassion and direct service to individuals and families facing complex federal and immigration matters.
Today, I am the CEO and Managing Attorney of Yaneliz Rosado Law Firm, PLLC. Through my firm, I represent clients before federal courts, immigration courts, USCIS, and ICE. Founding the firm has been one of the most meaningful steps in my career because it allows me to combine my experience in federal law, immigration advocacy, education, and public service into one mission: protecting rights, reuniting families and helping people move forward with dignity and hope.
At its core, my journey has always been about using the law as a tool to serve, to protect and to make sure that people who are often afraid or unheard know that their voices matter.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like many people who pursue a dream, I have faced moments that tested my character, my strength, my resilience and even my beliefs. Along the way, I knocked on many doors. Some opened and became great blessings in my life. Others remained closed. But I am a firm believer that the right doors open at the right time, according to God’s will.
One of the biggest transitions in my life was moving to the United States. Starting over in a new place is never easy. I arrived in an environment where I had to adapt to a new culture, new systems, new places, and a different language in my daily and professional life. There were moments when it felt overwhelming. However, that decision became one of the best decisions of my life. It pushed me to grow in ways I could not have imagined and helped me discover new opportunities, new communities and a deeper sense of purpose.
There have also been people along the way who believed in me from the very beginning and helped push my dream forward. I am deeply grateful for them. At the same time, not everyone will understand your vision or believe in your dream, and I think that is part of life. We will always encounter both support and disapproval. What matters is where we choose to place our attention and energy. I have made a conscious decision not to focus on negativity, but instead to remain grateful, focused and committed to moving forward.
My greatest source of strength has always been God. I truly believe He has guided every step of my journey. My mother, Juana Fonseca Rivera, has also been one of my biggest blessings and sources of support. She has always believed in every dream and every goal I have pursued, and I do not remember ever hearing a “no” from her when it came to encouraging me to move forward. My siblings have also been there to listen, guide and support me, and I am blessed to have friends who have encouraged my dreams and celebrated my growth.
So, while the road has not always been easy, every challenge has helped shape the woman and business owner I am today. The struggles taught me resilience, humility, faith, discipline and the importance of staying focused on purpose rather than fear.
Looking back, I have learned that a difficult road does not mean you are on the wrong path, sometimes it means you are being prepared for something greater.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yaneliz Rosado Law Firm, PLLC is a federal litigation and immigration law firm built on integrity, compassion and strong legal advocacy. Through the firm, I represent individuals and families in complex immigration and federal matters before Immigration Court (EOIR), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal courts.
My firm focuses heavily on immigration law, including asylum, removal defense, family based immigration, humanitarian relief, parole, visas and other immigration benefits. We also assist clients in matters involving federal litigation and SBA disaster loan related issues, drawing from my background in federal administrative law and my prior experience as an Attorney Advisor with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
One area that is especially meaningful to me is representing immigrant families who have experienced separation, trauma or uncertainty in their immigration journey. Before founding my firm, I worked with YMCA International Services in Houston as a Staff Attorney for the Legal Access Services for Reunified Families program. In that role, I provided pro bono legal services to immigrant families and assisted families with immigration relief related to the Ms. L Settlement Agreement (Ms. L v. ICE). That experience deeply shaped the mission of my firm and reinforced my commitment to serving families with dignity, respect and compassion.
What sets my firm apart is the combination of legal experience, personal commitment and individualized attention. I have more than a decade of legal experience, including work in federal law, immigration advocacy, legal education and public service. I am also deeply proud that the firm is bilingual and client centered. Many of the individuals and families we serve are navigating legal systems that can feel intimidating and emotionally overwhelming. My goal is to make clients feel informed, respected and heard throughout the process. I want them to understand that they are not just a case number, because their story matters, their family matters and their future matters.
Brand wise, I am most proud of building a firm that reflects who I am and what I believe in. Yaneliz Rosado Law Firm, PLLC, was created with the mission of protecting rights, reuniting families and building futures. Those are not just words for my brand. They represent the heart of the work we do. I want readers to know that this firm was built with purpose. It is rooted in faith, integrity, service and a genuine commitment to helping people move forward during some of the most important and difficult moments of their lives.
At the core of the brand is the belief that strong legal advocacy should also be compassionate. Clients deserve both legal knowledge and human understanding. That is the standard I strive to bring to every consultation, every case and every person who trusts my firm with their story.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
One of the most important resources in my life is my faith. Prayer, reflection and reading the Bible help me stay grounded, focused and connected to my purpose. As an attorney and business owner, there are many moments that require strength, patience, wisdom and clarity. My faith helps me navigate those moments with peace and perspective.
I also enjoy books that support emotional growth, healing, reflection and spiritual maturity. Two books that have been meaningful to me are Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian and “Una vida mejor” by Christy Muller. Both, in different ways, speak to growth from the inside out, healing, purpose and becoming more grounded in who you are.
For mindset, leadership and personal development, I enjoy listening to The Ed Mylett Show. I appreciate content that encourages discipline, vision, resilience and intentional growth, especially as a business owner building something from the ground up.
Professionally, because I practice in immigration and federal law, I rely heavily on legal research platforms, official government resources and continuing legal education. I also follow immigration related educational content, including resources from attorneys such as Charles Kuck, because immigration law is constantly evolving and staying informed is essential to serving clients responsibly.
I also depend on organization and productivity tools, including calendar systems, task management tools and digital platforms that help me manage deadlines, client matters and firm operations. As a solo practitioner, organization is not optional, it is essential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yanelizrosadofirm.law
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanelizrosadolawfirm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Yaneliz-Rosado-Law-Firm-61585446181654/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YanelizRosadoLawFirm
