Perla Roa

Occupation:

Country Expert on the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean — Lawyer and Immigration Specialist

Summary

Dominican lawyer and immigration specialist with a Bachelor of Laws from UNAPEC, a Diploma in Immigration Law and hands-on experience in United States immigration and consular casework and within the Dominican judiciary. Covers the justice system and access to protection, the position of survivors of domestic and gender based violence, minors and other people at risk, and civil status, nationality and civil registry documentation. Reads and verifies Spanish language court and civil registry records, and works in English.

Countries of Expertise

The Dominican Republic, with regional coverage of the Caribbean and Central America.

Details of Country Expertise

Country conditions analysis on the Dominican Republic, with regional coverage of the Caribbean and Central America, for asylum and international protection claims.

Justice system, institutions and legal procedure. The structure and functioning of the courts and public institutions and the practical operation of legal and administrative procedures, drawing on direct experience within the national judiciary, including the gap between formal protections and their availability in practice.

Vulnerable groups, gender and protection. The position of vulnerable groups relevant to protection claims, including survivors of domestic and gender based violence, minors and others at risk, and the availability and limits of state protection.

Civil status documentation, nationality and civil registry. Civil status and identity documentation, nationality and civil registry records and document verification, drawing on immigration and consular casework and judicial experience.

Experience

Immigration specialist since 2024, preparing and organising United States immigration and consular cases: family based petitions and forms I-130, DS-160, DS-260 and I-864, I-94 verification, visa appointment and consular scheduling, Schengen visa support, USCIS case preparation and embassy interview preparation. Previously Legal Assistant at the Poder Judicial, the Dominican Judiciary, from 2022 to 2024. Bachelor of Laws, UNAPEC. Diploma in Immigration Law.

Languages

Spanish — Native
English — Advanced (C1)

Political Groups Expertise

Individuals at risk in connection with their interactions with state authorities and the justice system, and those unable to obtain effective protection through domestic institutions.

Other Social Groups Expertise

Survivors of domestic and gender based violence, minors and other vulnerable individuals, and persons facing difficulties with nationality, civil registry and documentation.

Ethnic and Religious Groups Expertise

The position of minority and marginalised communities in the Dominican Republic, including issues of nationality, civil status documentation and access to rights.