Citing a fusion of technology and terrain, two immigration firms on opposite sides of the country have announced plans to partner together.

Boston-based Chin & Curtis and Santa Monica-headquartered Wolfsdorf Rosenthal, which both help businesses bring in foreign talent, announced a merger this week, centered on one firm’s need for better case-management software and the other’s desire to gain a better foothold on the East Coast. Chin & Curtis said it will retain its own branding, but the firms will operate from the same balance sheet, consistent with a traditional merger.