Eliana Maruri, Immigration Attorney
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas where my parents set roots from Mexico. I experienced first-hand challenges with immigration through my parents and countless family members. As a child, I translated doctor appointments, parent-teacher conferences, and everyday interactions for my mom. I witnessed the struggle my parents faced before and after obtaining legal status in the U.S. I also witnessed family separation from other family members and the devastation it causes. My motivation and instinct as an advocate stem from these early memories where I served as a voice and bridge for my mother between cultures and bureaucratic American processes. I felt how invaluable it was to have someone understand your background and work for the best interests of that person.
As a child, my sister and I spent all of our summers in my parents’ small hometown in Mexico with our grandparents while my parents worked. This allowed me to empathize with the struggles those who come from places with limited resources and means experience. It also allowed me to value opportunities afforded to me by the U.S. I grew up in East Austin and attended the Liberal Arts Academy at the former Johnston High School. I went on to double major in journalism and government at UT Austin. During my studies at UT, I had the privilege of interning at NBC Mexico / Telemundo in Mexico City. I also studied abroad in Paris for a semester, where I honed my French language skills. After my undergraduate studies, I worked for a national non-profit organization and later enrolled in law school. Part of my studies took me to clerk for the High Court in Trinidad & Tobago as well as for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas. I also interned in the legal department at Summit Entertainment, a Hollywood film studio in Santa Monica, California. Moreover, my extensive involvement in the Immigration and Human Trafficking Clinic reinforced my desire to work in the area of immigration law and serve as an advocate for disadvantaged communities. Upon graduation from law school, I worked as a civilian on the United Stated vs. Major Nidal Hassan case in Killeen, Texas.
I entered private practice with the Rubin Law Firm in 2014 where I gained experiences working on a wide range of immigration cases. I launched Maruri Law Group in 2018. My goal is to help find a solution that best fits my client’s needs and help them remain in the U.S. In an increasingly challenging field, I enjoy finding creative solutions to help clients navigate one of the most important processes of their lives. I am proud to be an advocate for immigration rights and am committed to fighting for justice.
Ariana Beltran, Legal Assistant
I was raised in Austin, Texas where my parents made a home for us after moving from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. From an early age I was made aware of the difficulties and prejudices that undocumented individuals face daily. Helping my family face and overcome these obstacles has strongly influenced me to pursue a career in immigration law. I graduated from Del Valle High School with a focus on history, government, and debate studies.I have had the humbling opportunity of working from a young age to value the advantages my parents gave me, those of which I hope to aid others in achieving. I am now pursuing a degree in Paralegal Studies from Austin Community College and plan to continue furthering my education in the legal field.
Fabiola Ballesteros, Virtual Assistant
I was born and raised in Mexico City. At an early age, I had the fortune to live in London, England for a year and four months.
I concluded my BA in Communications. For reasons beyond my control, my professional path went on a completely different direction, I have had marvelous and diverse jobs throughout the years, and all have contributed with giving me the experience I have today. Challenge after challenge, but mainly been part of the diplomatic environment whether it has been working abroad for the Mexican Consulates in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, which also gave me an interesting view of the life in the United States. Or even working in my country for a European government, during the 10 years I collaborated with the Embassy of Ireland.
After the pandemic that struck the world, employment opportunities went beyond borders as immigration does. I was honored to join Maruri Law Group in Nov 2021, contributing virtually at a law firm that is a great place to work in.
Either way, I have found myself facing all sorts of situations in which I have had to apply not only judgement, but also heart to successfully accomplish them and support my team and those in need.
Jessica Bellacetin, Virtual Assistant
I was born in Mexico City, and raised between Mexico City and California where I lived off and on thru my childhood and teenagehood. I have experienced living in this wonderful country US several times and I know what it is all about being away from your roots trying to start a new life over and over since I was very young. I was fortunate to obtain legal status thru my USC brother and my LPR mother and was able to experience studying and working in US at the same time, this open a lot of doors for me in my own country where I currently live and have had the opportunity to work in several Transnational companies as a Bilingüal Executive Assistant where I've met wonderful people from many parts of the world so I've had an opportunity to experience and see how immigrating for new opportunities change peoples lives. Now that I'm a part of this wonderful team at Maruri Law Group I feel grateful and with a commitment with my team and Leader Eliana Maruri to help people reach their dream of becoming legal in the US.
Andrea Watterson, Legal Assistant
Recently I moved to Austin from New Orleans, to start my new adventure in life. Before leaving New Orleans, I received my Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Spanish and Sociology at Loyola University of New Orleans. During my time there I got heavily involved with the Immigration world and the Law Clinic. I worked closely translating for documents, meetings, and prepped clients for trial. It gave me a sense of fulfillment I didn’t know I needed, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be in immigration.
Throughout my childhood I would spend my summers in Guatemala with my mom’s side of the family. Growing up and being surrounded with the Latin culture shaped me into who I am today. Whenever my family, especially my abuelita, would come and visit from Guatemala, I stepped up and helped them understand what was being said in English. I would be the one to help her read the menu, help her at check-outs whenever we went shopping, and I loved it. I loved helping her whenever I could.
Moving forward, I know I want to stay in the Immigration field and pursue my career further. Since joining Maruri Law Group, I am excited to be a part of a wonderful team committed in making a difference
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