Immigration Lawyer in Carson, CA. Your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, ready to become a citizen, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or fighting in removal proceedings, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
It's important to have the right person by your side when you're going through these situations. 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 help you today. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free, confidential consultation.
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Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer in Carson, CA
Even though there are some immigration procedures you can technically do on your own, it's always a good idea to check with your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can have a significant impact on your case. Your immigration attorney will stop you from making common errors 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 Carson, CA, is because immigration law is often changing. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's essential to find a lawyer who understands the law and can explain the requirements to you.
Lastly, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
What Challenges Do Immigrants Face in Carson, CA?
Immigrants face a long road just to enter the United States. 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 start this process alone, you could be facing:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Restrictions on the number of visas available
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Working with your Carson, 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 Carson, 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, you don't have to handle these processes alone: Wherever you are on the immigration pathway, your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
For many people, the first step is to apply for entry to the United States. There are many paths to enter the U.S., but some of the most common ones we help with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Carson, CA, can help you avoid persecution in your home country through migration to the United States. If you have faced threats or violence because of your association with a social group, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. Later, after spending some time in the U.S., 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 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) 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 extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is designed for potential immigrants 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 Carson, CA
Your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer can help with more than just entry to the United States. 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 Carson immigrant residents chasing 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 change 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
After moving to the United States, many immigrants want to become U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, this can be a challenge for many people, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated documentation involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help give you insight in the process and verify your eligibility.
If you want to become a United States 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
- 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 Carson.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Carson, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
One of the most stressful things you can experience as an immigrant is a deportation order. Whatever the circumstances, you do have ways to fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can make a case before a judge to stop your deportation. 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 and let the proceedings pass by without a fight. Your Carson, 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 are in the United States but do not have a Green Card. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of these slots available, and they are very competitive. For this procedure, you must meet the following requirements:
- 10 years of continually residing in the United States
- 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 are unlimited 42(a) slots available, making it a less competitive process. 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
If your cancellation of removal application is rejected, don't give up hope. Your Carson, 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 the law has been updated. By contacting an attorney right away, 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 can help you with any of the below situations:
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 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
Getting a chance to stay in the U.S. can be life-changing for some people.
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 works similarly to a T Visa, but considers a wider range of potential crimes. 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 Carson, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
Below are the U Visa eligibility requirements:
- You must be a victim of a qualifying crime
- 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 Carson, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
When looking for the right Carson, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. Here are the essential qualities you should look for when picking someone to work with:
- Experience helping people in your situation
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Cultural sensitivity to your customs
Your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone that is prepared to handle your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you're facing an immigration issue in Carson, CA, call us now at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Carson, CA
For some people, immigration challenges don't stop when you earn your Green Card. If you're facing criminal accusations, there could be serious immigration consequences after a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Carson, CA, should also be ready to defend you in criminal court.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is isn't going to settle for a 'good enough' outcome – instead, they'll fight for the best deal possible for your situation. Our dedicated 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 situation is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Carson, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Carson, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. The specifics can depend on your case, but our attorneys help clients seal criminal records, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. If you get help right away, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
Get Help From Expert Carson, CA, Immigration Lawyers
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Carson, CA. Whether you need help reuniting with family, applying for a work visa, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any similar legal help, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
We also aid with the following legal services in Carson, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with an immigration lawyer in Carson, CA, today by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, you can call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
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