Fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, Pamela Rioles Saeed, an immigration lawyer at
Goldman Immigration, PC, is making an impressive impact on immigrant communities.
Originally from Boston, she moved to Tucson in 2018 and committed herself to helping
these communities navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. Although
she didn’t always plan on becoming a lawyer, her passion for supporting immigrant
communities led her to law, where she saw immigration lawyers making the biggest
impact. The close relationships she builds with her clients motivate her to push
through the many challenges she faces in this complicated work.
One of Pamela’s proudest achievements is winning an asylum case that took 10
years to resolve. The case went through multiple losses before immigration judges
and appeals courts but, this year, she finally succeeded, helping a family of four stay
together in the U.S. She often reflects on how difficult it would be for her clients to
manage their cases without legal representation and how the immigration system can
feel like a setup for failure. Committed to Tucson’s immigrant community, Pamela is
deeply concerned about the misrepresentation of immigrants in the media and wishes
she could amplify her clients’ stories to combat misconceptions and fear surrounding
immigration.
A graduate of the James E. Rogers College of Law, Pamela is inspired by her mentor,
Gloria Goldman, and has taken on numerous pro bono cases, including representing
Afghan asylum seekers after the Taliban takeover. She continues to support Tucson’s
immigrant community by offering legal services to those in need, embodying the same
dedication and commitment that her mentor instilled in her. She says Gloria is her hero
and inspiration.
Pamela enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading. Her favorite meal is spaghetti with clams,
and she loves listening to “Se Telefonando” by Mina, a popular Italian singer and
actress from the 1960s-70s. Pamela never tires of visiting London, where her mother
grew up, and still finds new experiences each time.
