Immigration Lawyer in Alhambra, CA. Your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone you can trust with your life – because, in reality, this is a life-changing event. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, preparing for a citizenship application, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or fighting in removal proceedings, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
Don't try to do this alone. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will guide you through the process and fight for your goals. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We cover a wide array of immigration matters, and are ready to help you today. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to set up a no obligation review of your case.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in Alhambra, CA
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in Alhambra, CA, but doing so can make a big difference in your case. Your immigration attorney will give you insights into common mistakes people make and keep you informed on what to expect from your case.
Another reason to work with an immigration attorney in Alhambra, CA, is because immigration law is often changing. When trying to understand the current laws, it's essential to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Additionally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
Common Immigration Challenges in Alhambra, CA
It's difficult for prospective immigrants to enter the country. And afterward, becoming a U.S. citizen can be its own challenge. For a variety of reasons, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you try to handle this by yourself, you could be facing:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting national and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Working with your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Alhambra, CA Can Help You Get Into the United States
United States immigration law is difficult on its own, and can be even harder for non-native English speakers. Cases aren't as simple as crossing the border or filling out some simple paperwork. Fortunately, professional help can make a major difference: Wherever you are on the immigration pathway, your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer will be there to guide you.
Your journey begins when you first apply to enter the United States. You could take any of several routes to enter the United States, but some of the ones we most frequently assist with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Alhambra, CA, helps people who are not safe in their home country immigrate to the United States. If you are under attack because of your association with a social group, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. After enough time has passed, our attorneys can help you apply for adjustment of status and earn your green card.
EB5 Visa Program (Commercial Investment)
The EB5 Visa Program helps foreign investors enter the U.S. by giving them a visa for investing enough money and creating enough jobs with that investment. In order to qualify, the business must meet the minimum investment requirement of $1,050,000 (or $800,000 if in a Targeted Employment Area) and create at least 10 full-time employment opportunities for U.S. workers.
Waivers 601 & 601(a) (Family Hardship)
Waivers 601 and 601(a) exist to waive certain entry requirements for qualifying individuals. They can apply in situations where you have a qualifying relative who is suffering from harsh circumstances and extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for potential immigrants who were told they cannot immigrate to the U.S. for reasons such as health conditions, criminal record, and prior immigration fraud. It is typically filed from outside the U.S. Waiver 601(a), on the other hand, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission and could be removed from the country. Working with your immigration attorney, you can present a case that demonstrates hardship and maximizes your chances of getting into, or staying in, the U.S.
Becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen With Help From an Immigration Attorney in Alhambra, CA
Entering the U.S. likely isn't the end of your journey, and your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer is still here to help. Applying for lawful permanent resident status or citizenship is a major goal for many American immigrants. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley wants to support Alhambra immigrants pursuing their goals, whatever they are.
Adjustment of Status/Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
Applying for Adjustment of Status is a big deal for many American immigrants. When granted, you become a lawful permanent resident (AKA a Green Card holder). The qualifications you need to meet change depending on your circumstances – for example, if you are are a religious worker, you must be entering the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization. A local immigration attorney can help you determine which path is best for your circumstances.
Citizenship Applications
A common end goal for immigrants is to apply for U.S. citizenship. Unfortunately, this can be a barrier for many, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated form processes involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help navigate the challenges and protect you from mistakes on your application.
Before you can apply, you need to fulfill the following three requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English
- Be of good moral character
In addition, you must fall into one of the following four categories:
- Be a Green Card holder for five years
- Be married to a U.S. citizen and while being a Green Card holder for three years
- Be a current or former member of the U.S. military
- Be a child of a U.S. citizen
- For children of U.S. citizens, you don't need to be over 18, and the English language requirements may be scaled down.
Contact us today to get help with your U.S. citizenship application. We offer help for a variety of U.S. citizenship application circumstances in Alhambra.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Alhambra, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
One of the most stressful things you can experience as an immigrant is a deportation order. While challenging and intimidating, you can fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can make a case before a judge to stop your deportation. And if you are given a negative ruling, we can file a motion to reopen/reconsider.
Cancellation of Removal 42(b) or 42(a)
If you're facing removal (or deportation) proceedings, don't wait and let the proceedings pass by without a fight. Your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer can file a cancellation of removal 42(b) or 42(a) procedure to let you stay in the country and grant (or preserve) lawful permanent resident status.
42(b) applies to individuals who presently live in the United States but do not have a Green Card. Unfortunately, these cancellations are not unlimited, and many people apply for them. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Live in the U.S. for 10 years, without major breaks
- Possess good moral character
- No disqualifying criminal convictions on your record
- Removal would cause extreme hardship to a qualifying family member
42(a) is similar, but instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. additionally, there are unlimited 42(a) slots available, making it a less competitive process. Below are the requirements you must meet for 42(a):
- Green card for at least 5 years
- United States resident for at least 7 continuous years
- No aggravated felony convictions on your record
Motion to Reopen/Motion to Reconsider
Even if your 42(a) or 42(b) process doesn't work, don't give up hope. Your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer can file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider, to challenge the result of the proceedings. A motion to reopen is applicable if you have found new evidence that could persuade a judge to keep you in the United States. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider can be filed if the previous judgement was legally incorrect, or if the the law has been updated. By acting fast, you can get a second chance to fight against deportation.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. Notably, people who are crime victims are given special treatment that can help with the immigration process. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has experience helping with each of the following circumstances:
Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)
The United States offers Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) as a form of immigration relief for children who were victims of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Our immigration attorneys are prepared to argue for your special immigration status in court.
To qualify, you must:
- Be in the United States
- Be unmarried
- Be under 21
- Have an applicable juvenile court order
- Receive permission from the Department of Homeland Security
- Receive permission from the Department of Health and Human Services, if applicable
For individuals who rely on the court or government for support, this can stabilize your life while you plan for the future.
T Visas
A T Visa helps immigrants who are victims of human trafficking by giving them lawful status in the country for up to 4 years. At the end of this time, qualifying T Visa holders can apply for lawful permanent resident status.
To qualify for a T Visa, you must match the criteria below:
- Be a victim of severe human trafficking
- Currently reside in the United States
- Aid in law enforcement's investigation of the trafficking
- Be subject to extreme hardship if you were removed from the U.S.
- Meet regular admission requirements
U Visas
A U Visa works similarly to a T Visa, but is applicable for a broader range of people who have been victimized by crime. It applies to anyone who has been a victim of abuse. If you are filing a U Visa, it's important to work with an immigration lawyer in Alhambra, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
Below are the U Visa eligibility requirements:
- You must have been victimized by a crime from an applicable list
- You must have suffered abuse in the process
- You provide information that helps the law enforcement investigation
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top Alhambra, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
There's a lot to consider when deciding on the right Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer for your case. See our list of top immigration lawyer qualities below:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation for providing high-quality service
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Respect for your customs
Your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone that is prepared to help you with your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you're facing an immigration issue in Alhambra, CA, call us today at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Alhambra, CA
For many people, it's not enough to work with an attorney who only focuses on immigration law. If you've been accused of a crime, you could be facing life-changing immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Alhambra, CA, should also be ready to fight against criminal accusations.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is going to be dedicated to protecting your freedom and wellbeing. Our experienced attorneys are prepared to protect immigrants against criminal charges for all of the following case types:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration background is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Alhambra, CA
Criminal accusations are difficult to handle. Criminal convictions can be even harder, but don't give up yet. Your Alhambra, CA, immigration lawyer can also aid you with post-conviction relief. The specifics can depend on your case, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. When you act fast, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Alhambra, CA. You Need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
Immigrants in Alhambra have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, earning your Green Card, appealing a court decision, or any other immigration services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
We also aid with the following legal services in Alhambra, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Alhambra, CA, right away by calling (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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