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, preparing for a citizenship application, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or being threatened by deportation, expert legal help will maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
It's important to have the right person by your side when you're going through these situations. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will stand by you 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 talk to you. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a no obligation review of your case.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, Will Help 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 Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can have a significant impact on 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.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. 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 deportation, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
Common Immigration Challenges in Canoga Park, CA
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. And afterward, it's hard to become a U.S. citizen. Between paperwork, eligibility requirements, and other hurdles, 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
- Hundreds of dollars in fees
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Contacting your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer puts you in a positive position and maximizes your chances of a successful outcome.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA Can Help You Get Into the United States
United States immigration law is complicated and varied. Cases aren't as simple as crossing the border or filling out some simple paperwork. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: for any legal guidance you need, your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer can explain and guide you through the process.
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 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, can help you avoid persecution in your home country through migration to the United States. If you are under attack because of your association with a social group, political opinion, 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 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 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 employment opportunities 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. 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 do not qualify to immigrate to the U.S. for reasons such as health conditions, criminal record, and prior immigration fraud. Normally, this waiver is filed by someone currently outside the country. Waiver 601(a), meanwhile, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission and are facing deportation. 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 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. Applying for lawful permanent resident status or citizenship is a major goal for many American immigrants. 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)
It's common for United States immigrants to seek Adjustment of Status. It allows you to become a lawful permanent resident, also known as earning your Green Card. The qualifications you need to meet change depending on your situation – 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 help you determine which path is most likely to work in your favor.
Citizenship Applications
Lawful permanent resident status may be enough for some people, but others want to become United States citizens. A Green Card is the end goal for some people, but many also want to earn their United States citizenship. Unfortunately, this process can be difficult, 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 becoming a U.S. citizen, 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
- 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 Canoga Park.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
It's hard to imagine something more difficult than having the government attempt to remove you from the country. While challenging and intimidating, you can fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you'll get a chance to argue against your removal. 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, there isn't any time to waste. Your Canoga Park, 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 currently reside 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 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
- Live in the U.S. for 7 straight years
- No aggravated felony convictions on your record
Motion to Reopen/Motion to Reconsider
If your cancellation of removal application is rejected, don't give up hope. 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 is best used if there was an error in the court proceedings, or if the applicable law has changed. By acting fast, you get another opportunity to protect yourself from removal.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. In particular, 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 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
T Visas
A T Visa effectively gives someone lawful resident status in the United States for up to 4 years, if they were a victim of human trafficking. 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 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 works similarly to 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 will want an immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
The main criteria to apply for a U Visa are:
- 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 violated a U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
How to Find the Right Canoga Park, CA Immigration Lawyer
When looking for the right Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. If you want a leading immigration attorney, look for the following:
- Experience with similar cases
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A reputation for providing high-quality service
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Cultural sensitivity to your customs
Your Canoga Park, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone who is ready to take on your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in Canoga Park, talk to one of our attorneys today at (800) 755-5174.
Canoga Park, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
Immigrants in Canoga Park face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you've been accused of a crime, there could be life-changing 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 prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Our skillful attorneys will help you fight for justice in all of the following case types:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration background 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, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. When you act fast, you can minimize the impact of a conviction on your immigration status.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Canoga Park, CA. You Need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Canoga Park, CA. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, applying for a work visa, reopening your case, or any related services, our attorneys have the experience and expertise needed to guide you.
Our firm can also assist you with the following legal services in Canoga Park, CA:
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Canoga Park, CA, now by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. No matter what kind of immigration legal service you need, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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