Immigration Lawyer in Arcadia, CA. Your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, preparing for a citizenship application, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or defending against deportation, expert legal help will maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Get experienced help, no matter what immigration situation you're going through. You want to work with an experienced team of attorneys who will break down the process for you and advocate for you. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We cover a wide array of immigration matters, and are ready to talk to you. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to set up a no strings attached case review.
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What Your Arcadia, CA, Immigration Lawyer Will Do For You
Even though there are some immigration procedures you can technically do on your own, it's always a good idea to check with your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can have a significant impact on your case. Your immigration attorney will help you avoid mistakes and give you time back to focus on the rest of your life, while they manage your case.
Another reason to work with an immigration attorney in Arcadia, CA, is because immigration law is often changing. As legal requirements change, it's important to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Finally, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney can help you build a defense that guards your legal status against prosecution.
Common Immigration Challenges in Arcadia, 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 up against:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Language barriers when working on applications
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Overflowing courts and lengthy waits
Contacting your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
How Your Arcadia, CA, Immigration Lawyer Helps You Enter the U.S.
United States immigration law is complicated and varied. Cases aren't as simple as crossing the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: From the moment you first enter the country to filling out your citizenship application, your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer will be there to guide you.
For many people, the first step is to apply for entry to the United States. You could take any of several routes to enter the United States, but some of the most common ones we help with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Arcadia, CA, is dedicated to helping people facing injustice in their home country gain entry to the U.S. If you have faced threats or violence because of your race, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you find protection through asylum. After enough time has passed, you'll be able to apply for lawful permanent resident status.
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 new, full-time employment opportunities for U.S. workers.
Waivers 601 & 601(a) (Family Hardship)
Waivers 601 and 601(a) give potential immigrants who are ineligible another chance at entry. For one to apply to your case, you must have a qualifying relative who is suffering from a serious medical condition, has serious financial difficulties, or is experiencing another extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for individuals who were told they are not allowed to 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 are not lawfully in the U.S. and could be removed from the country. An experienced immigration attorney will help you present a case that shows your qualifying 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 Arcadia, CA
An immigration lawyer is here to advise you after you're in the United States, as well. 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 Arcadia immigrants pursuing their goals, whatever they are.
Adjustment of Status/Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
Adjustment of Status is a major step for many people who have immigrated to the U.S. If you qualify, you can be given lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). The qualifications you need to meet vary depending on your situation – for example, if you are applying through immediate family, you must be the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen, with certain age restrictions. 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 process can be difficult, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated registration involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help give you insight in the process and verify your eligibility.
Before becoming a U.S. citizen, you need to fulfill the following criteria:
- 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. armed forces
- Be a child of a U.S. citizen
- You can be under the age of 18 in this case, and the language requirements may be relaxed.
If you have any questions on these requirements, call our offices now. We offer help for a variety of U.S. citizenship application circumstances in Arcadia.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Arcadia, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
It's hard to imagine something more difficult than having the government attempt to remove you from the country. Whatever the circumstances, you do have ways to fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you'll get a chance to argue against your removal. And if you don't get the result you want, 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 Arcadia, 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 immigrants who presently live in the United States but are not lawful permanent residents. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of these slots available, 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 is for people who already have their Green Cards. Also, 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
If your cancellation of removal application is rejected, this isn't the end of the line. Your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer can file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider, which can still keep you in the country. A motion to reopen is applicable when you have new evidence that could change the result of a hearing. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider argues that an error was made in the previous decision, or that the the law has been updated. By getting help immediately, you don't have to give up and accept the negative result.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
There are times when the normal process for immigration doesn't apply. Notably, people who have been victimized by crime can take advantage of U.S. policies that aid in immigration. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help you with any of the below situations:
Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)
The United States offers Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) to protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. 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 gives victims of human trafficking lawful resident status for up to 4 years. Additionally, once this time period is up, many T Visa holders can apply to become lawful permanent residents.
To qualify for a T Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a victim of severe human trafficking
- Currently are in the United States
- Help the police investigate the trafficking operation
- Be subject to extreme hardship if you were removed from the U.S.
- Meet regular admission requirements
U Visas
A U Visa is a lot like 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, you should look for an immigration lawyer in Arcadia, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
The main criteria to apply for a U Visa are:
- You must be a victim of a qualifying crime
- During the crime, you must have suffered abuse
- You provide information that helps the law enforcement investigation
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
How to Find the Right Arcadia, CA Immigration Lawyer
There are many Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyers to choose from, but not all of them are right for your case. See our list of top immigration lawyer qualities below:
- Experience with similar cases
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A plan for how to help
- Bilingual communication skills
- A client-centered attitude
- Respect for your customs
Your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone who is ready to handle your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are aware of the cultural needs of our different clients. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in Arcadia, CA, talk to one of our attorneys today at (800) 755-5174.
Arcadia, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
For many people, it's not enough to work with an attorney who only focuses on immigration law. If you're facing criminal accusations, you could be facing serious immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Arcadia, CA, should also handle any criminal charges you're up against.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is someone dedicated to finding the best outcome possible for you. Our skillful attorneys are here to help you with whatever criminal charge you're facing, including:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your situation is, we are ready to fight for you.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Arcadia, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your Arcadia, CA, immigration lawyer can also aid you with post-conviction relief. Different cases require different types of support, but our attorneys help clients appeal decisions, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. When you act fast, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Arcadia, CA. You Need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
If you're an immigrant in Arcadia facing legal complications, you need help from experts. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, applying for a work visa, appealing a court decision, or any similar legal help, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Arcadia, CA:
Talk to an immigration lawyer in Arcadia, CA, right away by calling (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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