Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA. Your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone you can trust with your life – because, in reality, this is a life-changing event. Whether you're looking for assistance entering the United States, ready to become a citizen, 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 treat you with compassion and fight for your goals. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our offices can assist with all the most common immigration matters, and are ready to help you today. Call us anytime at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a free case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, Will Help You
Working with an immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, is not required by law, but it can have a significant impact on your case. Your immigration attorney will give you insights into common mistakes people make and give you time back to focus on the rest of your life, while they manage your case.
With diverse political ideologies in the United States, there are frequent updates and changes to immigration law. As legal requirements change, it's important to have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Additionally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in Canoga Park, CA, Difficult?
It's difficult for prospective immigrants to enter the country. And afterward, becoming a U.S. citizen can be its own challenge. Between paperwork, eligibility requirements, and other hurdles, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you start this process alone, you could be up against:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Contacting your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer puts you in a positive position and maximizes your chances of a successful outcome.
Lawful Entry to the United States With Your Canoga Park, CA Immigration Lawyer
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 walking into the country or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, professional help can make a major difference: Wherever you are on the immigration pathway, your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
Your journey begins when you first apply for entry to the United States. You could take any of several routes to enter the United States, but three paths that often benefit from legal assistance are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, helps people who are not safe in their home country immigrate to the United States. If you are under attack because of your race, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. After enough time has passed, we can also help you apply for your Green Card.
EB5 Visa Program (Commercial Investment)
The EB5 Visa Program was designed to introduce new jobs into the American economy through foreign investment. What that means is that many individuals can earn an immigration visa by creating a new business in the United States. In order to qualify, the business must come from an investment of at least $1,050,000 (or $800,000 if in a Targeted Employment Area) and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Waivers 601 & 601(a) (Family Hardship)
Waivers 601 and 601(a) allow individuals who would ordinarily be denied entry to the U.S. another chance to immigrate to the country. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering from harsh circumstances and extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for people who were told they do not qualify 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), meanwhile, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission and could be deported. An experienced immigration attorney will help you 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 Canoga Park, CA
Entering the U.S. likely isn't the end of your journey, and your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer is still here to help. For many people, the next steps are earning your Green Card, then your U.S. citizenship. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley offers help for Canoga Park immigrant residents chasing 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. If you qualify, you can be given lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). The requirements vary depending on your circumstances – 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 inform you on what options are most likely to work for you.
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 guide you through the process 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 lawful permanent resident 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're not sure whether or not you're eligible, or need help determining how to qualify, contact our offices today. We offer help for a variety of U.S. citizenship application circumstances in Canoga Park.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, Can Protect You From Deportation
It's hard to imagine something more difficult than having the government attempt to remove you from the country. But we're ready to help you fight for your place in the U.S. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can force the state to fight you in court, where we can defend you. And if you don't receive the outcome you were hoping for, 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 until it's too late. Your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer can file a cancellation of removal 42(b) or 42(a) procedure to stop the deportation and grant (or preserve) lawful permanent resident status.
42(b) applies to individuals who already live in the United States but are not lawful permanent residents. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of these slots available, and they are very competitive. For this procedure, 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. additionally, there is no limit on the number that the government can give out. To be eligible for this procedure, you must meet the following criteria:
- 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, this isn't your final option. Your Canoga Park, 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 acting fast, 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 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) to protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Our attorneys can help you navigate the process and represent you before the 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. The T Visa also provides a pathway for many immigrants to apply for a Green Card at the end of this time period.
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
- 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 considers a wider range of potential crimes. People who have suffered abuse (where the United States has jurisdiction) can apply for a U Visa. If you are filing a U Visa, you should look for an immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, 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
- During the crime, you must have suffered abuse
- You are working or will work with the police to help them catch the abuser
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top Canoga Park, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
There's a lot to consider when deciding on the right Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer for your case. Here are the essential qualities you should look for when picking someone to work with:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A reputation for providing high-quality service
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Reverence for your way of life
Your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone with the experience and knowledge needed to help you with your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and create a unique plan that is designed for you. If you need help with an immigration problem in Canoga Park, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Canoga Park, CA
For many people, it's not enough to work with an attorney who only focuses on immigration law. If you're up against criminal charges, there could be serious immigration consequences if you're convicted. Your immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, should also handle any criminal charges you're up against.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone dedicated to finding the best outcome possible for you. Our experienced attorneys can help Canoga Park immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your immigration status is, we are ready to fight for you.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Canoga Park, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your Canoga Park, 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. If you get help right away, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
Work With an Experienced Canoga Park, CA, Immigration Lawyer
Immigrants in Canoga Park have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help reuniting with family, earning your Green Card, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any other immigration services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
Our firm can also assist you with the following legal services in Canoga Park, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Talk to an immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, right away by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online. No matter what kind of immigration legal service you need, you can call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
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