Caterina Kretz

Attorney

Caterina S. Kretz is an immigrant herself. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in New York City. Both of Caterina’s parents were immigrants. Her mother immigrated from Colombia to the United States in her late twenties, while her father and his family immigrated from Italy to the United States when he was two years old. Both of Caterina’s parents obtained U.S. citizenship before Caterina was born. Growing up with two immigrant parents gave Caterina a unique perspective on what you and your family may be experiencing throughout your immigration journey. This is a perspective that many immigration attorneys do not possess. While growing up, Caterina helped translate from Spanish to English for her parents until her father mastered English. Caterina’s paternal grandparents also obtained U.S. citizenship. In fact, Caterina has their original citizenship certificates displayed in her office. Caterina’s husband is also no stranger to the immigrant experience. His paternal grandfather immigrated from the Alsace-Lorraine region around the turn of the 20th century, while his grandmother immigrated from Austria around the same time. They both later became U.S. citizens. Caterina was drawn to the practice of law through a family attorney. Because Caterina was born outside the United States, she had to obtain her citizenship. The attorney who helped Caterina become a citizen later became a close friend of the family. Caterina always looked up to her, and it soon became apparent that she would pursue a career dedicated to helping immigrants. Caterina is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law. She was admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico in 1994 and is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Caterina has provided consulting services to both the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Catholic Charities in Albuquerque. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. From 1996 to 1997, Caterina served as a staff attorney for the Albuquerque Border City Project. This organization advocated for the rights of low-income and disadvantaged immigrants. During her time there, she worked extensively on cases involving the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In 1997, Caterina opened her own law practice, Kretz Law Firm, to help immigrants with their immigration needs. Some of the awards and recognitions Caterina has received over the years include:

• Award of Appreciation from the Albuquerque Border City Project
• Certificate of Recognition from the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque
• Certificate of Recognition from the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque
• Certificate of Appreciation from the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women
• Certificate designating Caterina S. Kretz as a Consulting Attorney for the Mexican government

Caterina’s primary focus has been family-based immigration law, and she is passionate about helping families remain together. Many of her colleagues, judges, and clients have described her as aggressive, tenacious, honest, and hardworking. Caterina always has her clients’ best interests at heart and does everything possible to protect and fight for their rights.