Closure of Yakima Immigration Law Office Leaves Clients in Limbo
A crowd gathered outside the former Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law Office in Yakima on Wednesday afternoon, peering at a notice taped to the locked door. The sign simply stated that the law firm was permanently closed and would cease all services, directing clients to luzlegal.com for further information.
This dramatic turn of events follows the recent resignation of the prominent immigration attorney Alexandra Lozano, who voluntarily surrendered her law license following disciplinary action from the Washington State Bar Association. The closure has left clients both in Yakima and throughout Washington State with lingering questions and uncertainty.
Lozano’s firm was operated under Luz Legal, which expanded its reach across the country. At the time of its closure, the bar association reported that the firm had over 35,000 clients and Lozano had approximately 54,000 pending petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Despite a rebranding effort aimed at continuing service, the new name did not stave off the firm’s abrupt ending.
In an official statement posted on its website earlier that day, Luz Legal cited increasing challenges and scrutiny as reasons for shutting down. “After careful consideration, we have concluded that closing our office is the best option,” the statement read. The firm stressed that this decision was deeply considered, with a focus on client care, especially during what they described as one of the most difficult times in their history.
Concerns from the Yakima Community
Among those who converged outside the Yakima office was notary public Cristina Gonzalez Torres, who learned about the closure from a family friend. Arriving around 3:30 p.m., she found a crowded parking lot filled with anxious clients. “This is people’s lives, and some have invested thousands of dollars,” she shared. “To arrive at a place they trusted and find it closed is incomprehensible.”
Gonzalez-Torres took it upon herself to assemble a list of affected individuals to facilitate their connection with the attorney spearheading a class-action lawsuit against Lozano. While she clarified that she is not a lawyer and cannot offer legal counsel, she provides support by helping clients access case information and directing them to reputable attorneys.
Within just one hour of her arrival, Gonzalez-Torres spoke with at least 50 people, many of whom were engaged in cases under the Violence Against Women Act and asylum applications. “Everyone is in the same predicament,” she observed, adding that clients were distraught upon discovering the office empty. “There was no one in the office. The place had been cleared out.”
A female client, who requested anonymity due to ongoing immigration matters, disclosed that she received a text from the office around 2:30 p.m., linking to Luz Legal’s closure announcement. She had been reassured just weeks prior that there was no cause for concern regarding her case. Now, she faces uncertainty for herself and her husband, having already paid around $14,000 in legal fees. She expressed worry that other law firms might exploit their vulnerable situation, particularly those already demanding high fees.
Next Steps for Clients
Gonzalez-Torres mentioned the need to involve Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown in the matter, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of the closure beyond Yakima. “I would love to see him come to Yakima and talk to these people,” she said, highlighting that clients throughout the state are similarly affected.
Luz Legal also released information outlining expectations for clients following the closure. They have pledged to send out files to all customers within 60 days and are reviewing cases to evaluate potential refunds. Clients are urged to find new attorneys promptly, keep their contact information current with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services, and remain vigilant about deadlines and notices, as missing these could have severe immigration ramifications.
Developments surrounding this story continue to unfold.
