Services & Industries
Education
J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 2010
B.A., University of Oregon, 1992
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Melina represents regional and international companies in matters related to employment-based immigration. Melina has successfully handled immigration matters for multinational corporations and regional technology firms, health care providers, and universities on non-immigrant and immigrant visa options and procedures including Conrad 30 waivers, PERM Applications and Naturalization Applications, and Extraordinary Ability Petitions.
Melina was chair for the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association from 2016 to 2018 and Liaison to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for five years. She served for two years at Portland State University’s Immigration Clinic and currently mentors first year law students at Lewis & Clark. Melina is a frequent speaker on employment-related immigration.
Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Melina practiced immigration law at a boutique firm in Portland. Before she earned her law degree, Melina worked for more than eight years as an immigration paralegal in the Portland area, she lived in Tokyo for one year, and she had a brief career as an editor in New York City.
Before pursuing law, Melina worked as an editor at a science text book company in New York City. She has lived in Tokyo, Japan and Quito, Ecuador. A fluent Spanish speaker, she enjoys travel abroad with her family. Closer to home, Melina likes to hike and garden, and can often be found cheering on the sidelines of her children’s soccer games.
Community Involvement & Activities
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Oregon Chapter
2022-Present, 2011-2016, Department of Motor Vehicles Liaison
2016-2018, Chair Elect and Chapter Chair
Oregon Immigrant Foundation
2021-Present, Board Member
Professional Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Portland Human Resources Management Association
The Best Lawyers in America
2021, Ones to Watch – Immigration Law
Recent News
Melina LaMorticella Moderates USCIS Panel at AILA PNW Conference
Immigration attorney Melina LaMorticella moderated a panel of Officers representing the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) at the 2024 AILA PNW Regional Conference, hosted by the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Chambers USA 2024 Ranks 28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 28 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its 2024 Guide.
Melina LaMorticella Talks Merit-Based Visas at AILA NW Regional Conference
Immigration attorney Melina LaMorticella was a featured panelist at the 2023 AILA PNW Regional Conference hosted by the Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Melina and her co-panelists discussed best practices for merit-based visa petitions.
Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 26 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its Chambers USA 2023 Guide.
Tonkon Torp Immigration Attorneys Speak at AILA P.L.A.N. Conference
Tonkon Torp partners Melina LaMorticella and Melany Savitt were featured speakers at the 2023 P.L.A.N. Conference, hosted by AILA Oregon and designed for paralegals, law students, assistants, and new practitioners.
Recent Publications
All Noncitizens Must Report Change of Address to USCIS Within 10 Days of Moving Residence
By Alan Perkins – The Trump administration is focusing on fully enforcing existing immigration laws, including the requirement that noncitizens file Form AR-11 to notify USCIS of a change in residence within 10 days of moving. Because the penalties for failure to file are severe, including possible removal (deportation), it is critical that all non-U.S. citizens (including permanent residents) ensure they timely file Form AR-11 with each residential move. While the penalties discussed below are not new, they typically have not been enforced to their fullest extent.
FY2026 H-1B Cap Registration: What You Need to Know
H-1B registrations for the FY2026 cap season will open at noon ET on March 7, 2025, and run through noon ET on March 24, 2025. The USCIS filing fee is $215 per registration this year (a significant increase from $10).
Coming Soon: Travel Bans?
The Trump administration has not yet published an executive order banning visa issuance or inbound travel from specific countries, however, we anticipate travel bans as soon as late March.
The Return of Extreme Vetting: Impact on Cases Filed with USCIS and Visa Processing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
The slew of executive orders published by the Trump Administration in January included references to: (1) vetting and screening to the maximum degree; and (2) reestablishing a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards, consistent with those in place during the first Trump Administration.
Birthright Citizenship: Impact on Business Immigration?
The 14th Amendment provides: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” President Trump’s Executive Order, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” limits birthright citizenship to babies born in the United States after February 20, 2025, who had at least one parent who was a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen.
Publications & Presentations
Moderator, “Updates from USCIS,” Pacific Northwest Regional Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, October 2024
Panelist, “Merit-Based Petitions,” Pacific Northwest Regional Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, October 2023
“COVID-19 Temporary Flexibilities for Form I-9 Ending,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, May 2023
“Employment-Based Immigration Writing and Communication,” P.L.A.N. Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Oregon, March 2023
“Annual Immigration Update,” Jan. 2023
“FY2024 H-1B Cap Registration – What You Need to Know,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2023
“What You Need to Know About FY2023 H-1B Cap Registration,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2022
“Annual Immigration Update,” Nov. 2021
“Biden Administration Lifts COVID-19 Travel Bans, Adds Vaccine Requirement,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Oct. 2021
“2023 DV Lottery Registration Open Oct. 6 to Nov. 9,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Oct. 2021
“USCIS Suspends Biometrics Collection for I-539 Applications for H-4, L-2, E Nonimmigrants,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, May 2021
“Travel from India to the U.S. Restricted Starting May 4,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, May 2021
“H-1B Lottery Updates for Fiscal Year 2022,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Feb. 2021
“Biden Administration Executive Orders Impact International Travel,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2021
“DOL Publishes Final Rule Impacting Prevailing Wages,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2021
“New Regulation Creates Wage-Based Selection Process for H-1B Lottery,” Jan. 2021
“Business Immigration Update,” Sept. 2020
Panelist, “International Student Town Hall,” University of Oregon, July 2020
“The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Immigration,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, March 2020
“H-1B Cap Season 2020,” American Immigration Lawyers Association, Oregon Chapter, Feb. 2020
“H-1B Cap Season 2020,” Feb. 2020
“Worksite Enforcement Business Immigration Briefing,” Sept. 2019
“Visas – Who Can Come? Who Can Stay?” Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, May 2019
“Business Immigration Review and 2019 Forecast Briefing,” Dec. 2018
“Business Immigration for Startups,” Nov. 2018
“Worksite Enforcement, Compliance Best Practices & Forms I-9,” June 2017
“What Immigration Means to Healthcare Delivery in Oregon,” Oregon State Bar Health Law Section, June 2017
“H-1B Cap Season 2017 and Trump Administration Executive Orders,” Feb. 2017
“Business Immigration 2017,” Feb. 2017
“Employment-Based Immigration,” American Immigration Lawyers Association, Oregon Chapter, May 2016
“Recent Developments in L Visas,” Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 2016
“Getting Ready for H-1B Cap Season,” Jan. 2016
“INA 204(l) – Navigating the Law for Surviving Relatives and Others Measures of Extraordinary Relief,” Northwest Regional Immigration Law Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 2015
“The Role of the Human Resource Department in Facilitating International Assignments,” Global Special Interest Group of PHRMA, Feb. 2015