Our People
The SNL team assesses clients’ short-term and long-term goals while employing their foresight and experience to achieve the best results. SNL recognizes the importance of staying abreast of the latest developments in the forever changing field of U.S. Immigration Law. We provide a welcoming and highly professional environment for our clients.
Hedwin Salmen-Navarro
Attorney at Law
Hedwin Salmen-Navarro is an immigration expert and zealous advocate of human rights who hails from Venezuela. He was 7 years old when his supportive and hardworking family emigrated from Venezuela to West New York, New Jersey. Inspired by his family’s immigration plight, Mr. Salmen-Navarro developed an unwavering determination to change lives through Immigration Law. Mr. Salmen-Navarro started working in the U.S. Immigration Law Field of Practice since 2003. He worked for two different Not-for-Profits Organization in New York City. In 2008, as a licensed attorney, incorporated Salmen Navarro and Associates, which has become today Salmen Navarro Law, P.C. (SNL). SNL is a full-service U.S. Immigration Law Firm with offices in the Paramount Building, located in the Times Square Area of New York City and in the Military Park Building in Newark, New Jersey.
Mr. Salmen-Navarro’s global perspective has led him to expand his clientele to include artists, athletes, restaurant and constructions workers, business owners from diverse countries and families. Mr. Salmen-Navarro has been lauded by his peers and clients for his dedication to Immigration Law and his passion for advocacy. Mr. Salmen-Navarro has been substantially involved in the American Bar Association – Section of International Law (ABA-SIL) and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). While in the ABA-SIL, he has served as a Chair for Tax, Estates and Individuals Division, a Chair of the Immigration and Nationality Committee, a Chair for the Young Lawyers Interest Network, a Liaison to the ABA Commission on Immigration, a Liaison to AILA, Chair of the Leonard Theberge Award for Private International Law and Chaired two Annual Section Meetings, in Washington D.C and New York City. In AILA, he has served as the chair of the ICE/ERO (Immigration Custom and Enforcement / Enforcement and Removal Operations) Committee and a Liaison to ICE and ERO. Mr. Salmen-Navarro has been a featured guest in media outlets such as CNN, CBS, Univision, Telemundo, TV Azteca, La Mega of New York City 97.9, Radio Amor of New York City, Radio Wado 1280AM also of New York City. He is the creator and voice of “Hablemos de Inmigracion TM,”. Mr. Salmen-Navarro through Hablemos de Inmigracion has had weekly segment in Despierta Nueva York in Univision 41. He has written articles published in law journals, magazines and newspapers, including his featured articles published in the ABA Section of International Law, “Authorized Practice of Foreign Attorneys” and “Careers in International Law”. Mr. Salmen-Navarro is fluent in English, Spanish, and conversational French.
Mario Vargas
Attorney at Law
Mario Vargas is a graduate from the City University of New York School of Law. Mr. Vargas migrated to the United States from his beloved native country of Bolivia in the mid-90s and has been living in New York since. Formerly an undocumented immigrant himself, he understands the issues and struggles immigrants face every day. During his law school years Mr. Vargas worked in various positions of the legal field. He clerked at the Kings County Civil Court, he also worked at the Labor Bureau of the New York Attorney General’s Office, there he was part of a team working to ensure employers followed the law and did not short change their employees or forced them to work beyond what is legal under New York law. Mr. Vargas has also been working in the immigration field since 2004, first as a legal assistant and for eight years now as an attorney. He has represented clients in immigration court seeking and obtained forms of relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, withholding and more. In his representation of clients with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services he has obtained approval for waivers, family petitions, citizenship and other applications on behalf of his clients. Mr. Vargas is fluent in Spanish and English.
Mangelin Rivera Quinones
Attorney at Law
Mangelin Rivera Quinones, Esq. joined SNL in 2017. She is a graduate from Roger Williams University School of Law (“RWU Law”). While in law school, she had the prestigious opportunity to extern with the Honorable O. Rogeriee Thompson from the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The externship developed Ms. Rivera’s legal research and analysis skills which gave her insight into the appeal processes. In addition, she interned in the immigration non-profit arena with the International Rescue Committee, the American Friends Service Committee and the Northeast New Jersey Legal Services. The non-profit experience allowed her to represent clients in New Jersey and New York. She also partook in the RWU Law Immigration Clinic where she represented clients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prior to law school, Ms. Rivera’s work experience included working with NJ Assemblyman Gary Schaer, the NJ State Council Director for the Service Employees International Union, as well as interning for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, and U.S. Congressman Albio Sires. When not at work she dedicates time to her family, friends, and her church. She also enjoys traveling to her birth country of Puerto Rico and dancing salsa.
Ana Maria Rey
Senior Office Manager and Paralegal
Ana Maria Rey was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where she eventually obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Universidad Central Del Este. Ana is a Systems Engineer by trade, yet found another untapped passion once she started working at an immigration law firm years later. Ana’s expertise in accounting has allowed her to gain vast experience in various managerial roles such as: Computer Department Manager, Office Manager, Account Department Manager, and Personnel Manager. In 2000, Ana joined a not-for-profit immigration agency heading the accounting department where she started to explore the legal immigration field. In 2003, Ana joined the family reunification department of the organization, and interestingly learned all aspects of processing Family-based cases. Simultaneously, Ana worked alongside attorneys in the Legal Department as she served as an Administrative Manager and Immigration Paralegal. Ana joined Salmen Navarro Law in July 2010 and has then been a valuable asset to Salmen Navarro Law due to her dynamic and hybrid experiences in the business and immigration fields. Ana is a confident professional who brings a brilliant combination of intellect, business savviness, and compassion to SNL’s Family-based practice. Currently, Ana is the Senior Administrative Manager in Salmen Navarro Law.
Lucy Caraballo
Office Manager/Paralegal
Lucy Caraballo joined SNL’s family as a Client Relations Specialist in 2011. She is extremely passionate about working with people. Ms. Caraballo is dedicated to creating a friendly and comfortable environment at Salmen Navarro Law, P.C.. She understands the importance of communicating with clients and addressing all their needs and concerns. Ms. Caraballo is compassionate and accessible to all our clients. She has developed a strong interest in Immigration Law. Today, Ms. Caraballo is the Manager of SNL’s New York Office, as well as a Paralegal in the firm.
Luisella Mordan Hidalgo
Client Relation Specialist/Legal Assistant
Luisella Mordan Hidalgo’s family immigrated to the United States when she was young. Her family moved to the States to pursue a better life for their children. Although it was hard at first for Luisella, it opened many interests and passions for her, including traveling. Her love for travel and learning about other cultures solidified my plans for pursuing a career in law. For as long as she can remember, Luisella has always wanted to become an attorney in order to be able to help people in her community. Ms. Mordan Hidalgo currently works at Salmen Navarro Law as a client relations specialist. Her first priority is making clients feel comfortable when they get in contact with the firm. An interesting fact about Ms. Mordan Hidalgo is she loves to memorize fun facts about anything and everything and loves starting conversations.
Raja Mansour
Legal Assistant
Raja Mansour joined the SNL Family in 2011. He has more than 20 years of experience in the Immigration Law Field. Mr. Mansour is a family-oriented person who is compassionate to the challenges of the immigrant community.