Our Team

 "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living" - Mother Jones

Luanne Santelises
Owner & Managing Attorney

Luanne Santelises is the founder of Santelises Law, with offices in Providence, Rhode Island, and Fall River, Massachusetts. Throughout her legal career, Luanne has devoted herself to Immigration Law and Social Security Disability Law, focusing on all aspects of immigration litigation and deportation defense.

As the daughter of immigrant parents who were once undocumented, Luanne has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that immigration laws have on families and communities. This personal experience fuels her passion for advocating for the voiceless and underserved. She views her legal career not just as a profession, but as a calling to fight for the rights of society's most vulnerable.

In addition to her private practice, Luanne has volunteered her expertise at numerous immigration clinics and contributed to various news broadcasts, sharing her knowledge on key immigration issues. She has been an advocate for individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, helping countless men, women, and children secure legal status and protection.

Luanne earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UMass Law School in 2011 and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College (2006). She is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts.

A proud native of Providence, Luanne now resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with her husband and three children. Luanne is fluent in Spanish.

Legal Team

Luisana Guerrero

Operations Manager/Lead Paralegal

Luisana Guerrero was born in Peru and raised in New York. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies. As our manager and lead paralegal, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the office and handles all removal defense cases. Outside of the firm, Luisana works with a nonprofit that trains college students to aid in the legal representation of asylum seekers. As an immigrant herself, she is passionate about helping others navigate the complicated realm of immigration law. Luisana is fluent in Spanish and can speak conversational Portuguese.

Iolanda Di Giorgio

Paralegal

Iolanda Di Giorgio is originally from Pontecorvo, Italy. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Law, Justice, and Society. Being a part of the immigrant community has given her a passion for human rights and immigration justice, inspired by the resilience that define those pursuing brighter futures. As a paralegal, her attention to detail, organizational skills, and empathy shine through. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering within her community. Iolanda is fluent in English and Italian and proficient in Spanish.

Julieth Echeverry Martinez

Paralegal Support

Julieth Echeverry has several years of immigration experience and is a proud native of Colombia. She obtained a degree in Social Communication and Journalism from the University of Quindío. Her language skills, in conjunction with her extensive experience, allows her to provide excellent support to our paralegals and attorney as well as seamlessly communicate with our clients. Julieth is knowledgeable, kind, and empathetic, which allows her to excel at helping clients throughout their humanitarian cases. Julieth is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and French.

Gabriela De La Cruz

Legal Assistant

Gabriela was born and raised in Massachusetts, and is a daughter of immigrant parents. She proudly represents her Guatemalan and Salvadorean heritage. With over seven years of experience in the field, Gabriela has always had a passion for immigration law. As the legal assistant, she strives to create a welcoming environment. She ensures that every client knows they are a priority in our firm. Gabriela is fluent in Spanish.