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Maria Elena Germanetti, Esq.,
Associate Attorney

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Maria Germanetti is an Associate Attorney at Lehigh Valley Immigration Law LLC, where she represents individuals and families in a wide range of immigration matters, including asylum, removal defense, adjustment of status, family-based petitions, and humanitarian relief. Known for her compassionate and detail-oriented advocacy, Maria is committed to guiding clients through the complexities of the U.S. immigration system with clarity and care.

Maria brings a strong foundation in litigation and public service to her immigration practice. Before joining the firm, she supported litigation in areas such as contract disputes, debtor-creditor rights, employment discrimination, torts, constitutional issues, and immigration law. This diverse background enhances her ability to develop thoughtful, strategic solutions—especially for clients whose challenges extend beyond immigration status alone.

Her dedication to service began early in her career. As a Certified Legal Intern, Maria gained valuable courtroom experience with the Court of Common Pleas in Cumberland and Northampton Counties and with the Appellate Division of the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, where she handled cases involving domestic violence protection orders, DUI trials, and summary appeals. She has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Lehigh County, advocating for children in abuse and neglect cases and authoring reports to support positive outcomes in dependency and adoption proceedings.

Maria earned her J.D. from Penn State Dickinson Law, where she served as Associate Editor of the Dickinson Law Review and conducted legal research in constitutional and cybersecurity law. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. and is currently completing her M.A. in Criminal Justice at DeSales University, concentrating in digital and mobile forensics.

Passionate about immigrant rights, child advocacy, and trauma-informed representation, Maria is dedicated to helping her clients achieve safety, stability, and the opportunity to build a better future.

    • Penn State Dickinson School of Law, J.D., Dean’s Fellow

    • De Sales University, Bachelors Degree, Criminal Justice

  • Maria has successfully represented individuals and families in securing temporary or permanent residency and protection under U.S. immigration law. Her work covers a broad range of family-based and humanitarian immigration matters, including:

    • Family and Marriage Petitions

    • Fiancé Visas (K-1) and K-3 Spousal Visas

    • Adjustment of Status Applications

    • Asylum and Protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT)

    • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Protections

    • Immigration Waivers (e.g., Visa Waiver Program, Hardship Waivers, J Waivers)

  • With a strong foundation in litigation and public service, Maria brings valuable insight into the intersection of criminal and immigration law, often referred to as crimmigration. Her background includes supporting matters involving criminal charges with potential immigration consequences. Today, she draws on this experience to develop thoughtful legal strategies for clients navigating complex immigration challenges. Maria handles matters such as:

    • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Petitions

    • Challenging removal orders in immigration court

    • Filing appeals with the BIA or federal circuit courts

    • Securing asylum, withholding of removal, or CAT protection

    • Addressing criminal convictions affecting immigration status

    • Preparing federal and administrative immigration appeals

    • Employment-Based Immigration: PERM labor certifications, EB-1 and EB-2 immigrant visas, and visa strategies for professionals of exceptional or extraordinary ability.

    • Non-Immigrant Visas: H-1B for specialty occupations, L-1 for intra-company transfers, and O-1 for extraordinary ability individuals.

    • Specialty Visas: E-1 and E-2 investor visas, R-1 religious worker visas, and TN visas under USMCA/NAFTA agreements.

    • Compliance and Audits: Addressing I-9 compliance, visa overstays, and regulatory investigations with tailored solutions.

    • Industry-Specific Needs: Physician and healthcare visas, research scholar categories, and multinational manager/executive visas.

  • Maria’s commitment to justice is reflected in both her academic and community work. During law school, she served as Associate Editor of the Dickinson Law Review, where she contributed to legal scholarship through rigorous research and editing. Earlier in her academic journey, she was President of the Criminal Justice Association at DeSales University, demonstrating her early leadership and interest in public service.

    Since 2019, Maria has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Lehigh County, where she advocates for the best interests of children in the dependency and foster care systems. She works closely with adjudicated dependent children, building trust through weekly visits and ensuring their emotional, educational, and health needs are being met. In court, Maria presents her findings and recommendations to help judges make informed decisions, contributing to positive outcomes such as adoption and long-term placement stability.

    Through her CASA work, Maria has completed extensive training in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and working with survivors of abuse. This experience directly informs her immigration practice at Lehigh Valley Immigration Law, where she represents clients under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with compassion, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to client empowerment.