US-based Guyanese Attorney, Kinda Melissa Velloza is a ‘Special Person’

May 11, 2025 Features / Columnists, News, Special Person, Waterfalls Magazine

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More than a decade providing of legal advice/ advocacy for immigrants…

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News- If you are an immigrant living in the United States or planning to do so, you cannot ignore the numerous news stories surrounding immigration.

Thousands, if not millions of people, are seeking expert legal advice on how to successfully navigate the sensitive subject.

This is where the work of professionals like this week’s Special Person-Kinda Melissa Velloza comes in.

The Guyanese-born US-based attorney is among those championing the cause of immigrants, reuniting families, and passionately advocating for justice, whether in the courtroom, behind her desk or her digital device.

Velloza, who describes herself a Berbice girl “born and bred,” offers palpable, legal advice to clients and followers near and far. While she is based in Alanta, Georgia, USA, Velloza’s work stretches far beyond her US boundaries—as far as Africa.

And though her professional work comes at quite a cost, a quick scan of her Instagram handle, one can safely conclude that this lawyer is not stingy when it comes to providing legal advice to her followers. She told Kaieteur News that her firm provides services to clients in the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. This week’s Special Person carries with her the heart of her community, the strength of her immigrant journey, and the dreams of a young girl from New Amsterdam, Berbice.

‘BERBICE GIRL’ 

Born on October 1, 1985, in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Velloza’s early life was rooted from values of integrity, hard work, and respect from a young age. “My childhood shaped everything I am today,” she reflected. “I was encouraged to value education and contribute to my community.”

After completing her high school education, at just 16, she took an unconventional leap into the courtroom—not as a lawyer, but as a court reporter, where she provided coverage of the Berbice Assizes for the 6:00 pm News on Little Rock television in Berbice. As she immersed in criminal proceedings, she discovered her passion for justice. By age 18, she had already made history by launching BerbiceNews.com, the first online news platform in the ancient county. That early entrepreneurial spirit would later blossom into a global legal immigration enterprise.

 

FROM JOURNALISM TO LAW                                                

In 2009, Velloza made the life-changing move to the United States, pursuing higher education with the same determination that marked her early career. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration from John Jay College, followed by a Juris Doctor from Charlotte School of Law.

Her transition from journalism to law was anything but easy. “Life has taught me that hard work and perseverance often matter more than talent alone” she said. “Every success, from covering court cases in Guyana to earning my law degree in the U.S., required grit and sacrifice. I’ve learned that self-belief is crucial, especially when others doubt you. It’s about survival, not arrogance. The people you surround yourself with matter, and I’ve chosen to align myself with those who share my values of integrity and ambition.”

 

LEGAL ENTERPRISE  

After gaining experience at several law firms, she founded Velloza and Associates, LLC in 2018, specialising in immigration law. With offices now in Atlanta, Guyana, and Ghana, her firm provides critical services in family-based immigration, deportation defense, and asylum, serving communities worldwide.  Velloza describes her work as deeply personal.

“My Guyanese upbringing instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to others. As an immigrant, these lessons have stayed with me and shaped my legal career. They’ve made me committed to helping others navigate the justice system with hope and dignity. Today, I use the resilience, compassion, and sense of community I learned in Guyana to serve clients as an immigration attorney. My personal experience as an immigrant drives my passion to support others through this process,” Velloza noted.

Speaking of her journey starting her own law firm, Velloza stated, “starting my firm was a smooth process due to the well-structured business environment in the U.S. With help from local consultants, we expanded internationally into Ghana and Guyana with ease. My approach focused on ensuring everything was set up according to regulations, allowing for smooth growth,” she said.

AUTHOR                                                                

To further support immigrants, she authored a practical guide titled “10 Things Immigrants Should Know Before Coming to America.” Drawing from her own journey and professional expertise, the book offers real insights and helpful resources to guide newcomers through the U.S. immigration system.

“The idea came from my own experience—I didn’t have a clear roadmap when I arrived. I had to figure things out on my own, relying on scattered online resources,” she explained. “I wanted to make the transition smoother for others by offering what I wish I had: clear, honest guidance.”

Though she’s been recognised for her impact—including being named one of the Top 40 immigration influencers of 2025 by Feedspot, Velloza remains grounded. “The real reward is the gratitude of the clients we serve. That’s what matters most. The success of Velloza and Associates LLC and the positive feedback from clients are the greatest rewards of my work,”Velloza said.

BEYOND THE COURTROOM

Beyond the courtroom, Velloza is a mother and champion for community development. Through her charity foundation, she supports underserved communities, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. These efforts are a testament to her belief that “service is true leadership.”

Balancing her growing firm, philanthropic work, and motherhood requires careful discipline and the support of a reliable support team. “My family remains at the heart of everything I do. I am especially proud to be the mother of my son, Kiand, whose love brings a sense of joy, grounding, and purpose to each day,” she shares warmly.

Despite the challenges of immigration, entrepreneurship, and leadership, Velloza’s journey has been one of purpose.  “My greatest achievement is not a single moment, but the lives I’ve touched and the positive impact I’ve made, especially within the immigrant community. Founding ‘Velloza and Associates’ and creating a platform for change is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Velloza proudly said.

Another of Velloza’s greatest milestones is her charity foundation and the meaningful projects initiated in Africa. She also told this magazine, “The greatest achievement, however, is balancing my brain, strategic thinking and legal expertise, with my heart, compassion and service. This balance fuels everything I do.”

CARIBBEAN IMPACT

Looking back on her path from Guyana to being established as a global legal leadership, Velloza offers this advice to aspiring Caribbean entrepreneurs: “To fellow Caribbean entrepreneurs, I advise pursuing your passion wholeheartedly. The transition from journalism to law was challenging, but my passion made it worth it. Think globally and innovatively. My firm’s expansion into Africa and South America was driven by a vision to serve immigrant communities worldwide.  Build a strong team, take calculated risks, and embrace clear communication. Most importantly, give back to your community, it’s essential for long-term success. When you love what you do, it never feels like work.”

As such, a quote that captures her essence: “When you love what you do and love who you do it for, you never work a day in your life.” It perfectly reflects my approach to life, leadership, and the passion I feel for the people and communities I serve,” she shared.

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