Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

EB1 – Abdiel – Chemical Engineer – Panama

EB1 - Abdiel, Oil and Gas Consultant

EB1 – Abdiel – Chemical Engineer – Panama

Oil & Gas Industry Success: As a Chemical Engineer Abdiel has amassed 20+ years of experience in the oil and gas industry. His journey led him from Panama to the USA and eventually he turned his attention to pursuing an EB1 visa. His advice to others, “Be realistic, but also be passionate.” The Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram were able to work with Abdiel to help him achieve his dreams.

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Tell me about where you are from and a little bit about what you do?

My name is Abdiel. I am a native of Panama, where I live right now. I am a Chemical Engineer with an MBA and I have spent over 20 years working for multi-national companies with most of my experience in the oil & gas industry. During this time, I have held managerial positions with regional and global scope in different areas of the business. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places and live in two countries. I have developed a great appreciation for the value of exposure to multicultural environments and that has been a complement to the success in my professional and personal life. I have lived in the United States for a total of more than 10 years and during two different periods. I moved to the US right after graduating from high school.   

Global Leader in Oil and Gas

Global Leader in Oil and Gas

What was your visa choice and how did you come to that decision?

I lived in the state of Oklahoma, where I obtained my degree in Chemical Engineering. Because of my early interest in oil & gas, I always saw the US as the perfect place to develop a career. I decided to go back home, where I had some interesting offers with American companies. After more than 10 years working in Panama,  I was sent to Texas on a 7-year expatriate assignment with my employer at the time. The experience was wonderful and I was able to reach a high level of satisfaction with my professional career and my personal and family life. Unfortunately, I reach a point where I could no longer renew my work visa and my company had a very strict policy in terms of green card sponsorships. I ended up being sent back to Panama with my family, where shortly thereafter we realized we could not reach many of the goals we had set for our lives.

I could see with great frustration the hard time my older daughter, who had lived most of her life in the US, was having in adjusting to the culture. I could feel how my younger son, who was born in the US, would have a much easier time, still he would have been much happier with the things he got used to in his home country.  I myself experienced the anticipation of a potential freeze in my career development and so did my wife.  During a vacation trip in Texas, I ran into a friend who had recently gotten her EB1 green card and she put me in contact with the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram.

How would you describe your experience in working with us?

I felt very comfortable with the whole process. There was always a sense of optimism and I never considered giving up.  In fact, this was a decision that I knew I would never regret regardless of the outcome of my petition. I just felt I had found the right path and the right people to take me through the process. I am not a superstitious person, but I thought there was something about the fate that took me to Chris and his team and there could be no other outcome than the approval of my petition.

Honored and Celebrated for Contributions to the Oil and Gas Industry

Honored and Celebrated for Contributions to the Oil and Gas Industry

My relationship with Chris, Lindsey and the rest of the team was great.  We did not speak too often, just because I felt they were so much in control that I did not feel we had to.  I knew that if I needed to know something, they were there to help me…and in fact they were the few times that I needed it.  I was updated almost daily on the progress of my case through the firm portal.  When I talked to them, I really had that feeling you get when you talk to a friend who is the only person that can help you with something that is the most important for you.  The case also progressed at the right pace. I did have some urgency to file as quickly as we could, but at the same time, I wanted it to be a winner when we did. Lindsey was not only understanding, but also helpful in balancing the two objectives.

What were you doing when you found out you were approved? What was your immediate reaction? How did/will you celebrate?

I was in an all-day work meeting at a hotel in Panama City. As soon as I saw the area code, I knew I was getting news on my case. I picked up so quickly that I started the conversation before I could even step out of the meeting room. Lindsey may have spoken for about 10 seconds, before telling me the petition had been approved…it felt like 10 minutes. I was not surprised, but still shocked. I sent my wife a pic of the US flag on the phone and she called right away. After giving her the news, I went back to my meeting with so much relief that I went on during the day as if nothing had happened. That day, I left earlier than usual and met my wife at church to thank God for such a wonderful blessing.

Why do you want to live in America? What’s so special about America?

Flying Flag on the Race Track

Chemical Engineer Abdiel taking a photo on the Race Track

I want to get back to my professional career. I want to be part of the growth in the US oil & gas industry and all the benefits that it will bring to the country and society. Most of all, I want to see my family in a place where they can experience happiness to the fullest, because they can have the life that they enjoy.

A great thing about this move is that we are not going too far. I will miss my parents, my brother, the rest of my family and my very good friends. I know that I will get the chance to see them often when they come to visit us or we go back to visit them.

Would you recommend your family and friends and why?

Once you decide that this is what you want, go for it and never hesitate. Be realistic, but also be passionate…the pursuit of happiness is your goal and it deserves every effort. Your legal advisor must be someone you can trust fully and you will find this with Chris and his team. I want to share a quote from Paul J. Meyer that was always present in my mind during the process and proved to be right: “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon… must inevitably come to pass!

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Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
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Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292

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Specializing in the E2 Visa, EB1 Green Card, L-1A Visa and O1 Visa and K1 Visa Marriage-Based Immigration. Attorney Chris M. Ingram is dedicated to providing the very best in US Immigration legal representation. Enjoy our website.

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