About Carlos Batara

Carlos Batara is an immigration attorney with offices in Southern California and Arizona. He specializes in immigration trials, immigration appeals, and complex cases. He has assisted clients from more than 60 different countries.

His appellate practices focuses on cases filed at the Board of Immigration Appeals, the nation’s highest body for interpreting and applying immigration law. He also represents immigrants with federal court cases, particularly matters before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

While in college, Carlos was trained as a community organizer by Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. For over 10 years Carlos used this skill to coordinate various aspects of local, state, and national political campaigns. After law school, Carlos was recruited to design a community-based program to combat adult illiteracy by the State of California. The program received several accolades.

Carlos remains active in civic affairs and serves as a consultant for community and non-profit organizations. Carlos has also been a member of various government boards and commissions. As an adjunct professor, he has taught college courses in Constitutional Law and Politics.

A strong advocate for immigration reform, Carlos has coordinated citizenship and voter registration drives in the Southern California area. Recently, Carlos completed a term as chairperson of the American Bar Association, Immigration Law Committee, Solo and Small Firm Division.

Based on his community involvement, political insight, and legal expertise, Carlos is frequently requested to speak publicly on immigration issues. Now, he brings this unique background to IMMIGRATION LAW, POLICY & POLITICS.

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D. Law
  • University of Southern California, B.A., International Relations
  • University of Southern California, B.A., Economics

Affiliations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Former Chairperson, Immigration Law Committee, American Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Division
  • California State Bar Association

Awards and Honors

  • Wiley W. Manuel Award, Pro Bono Services, California State Bar Association
  • Key to the City, National City
  • Citizen of the Month, City of Chula Vista
  • Who’s Who Among American Lawyers