Immigration Lawyer in Cerritos, CA. Your Cerritos, 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, ready to become a citizen, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or defending against deportation, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
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 defend you from injustice and advocate for you. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our immigration attorneys are friendly, knowledgeable, and are ready to help you today. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a free case review.
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The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can make a big difference in 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.
With diverse political ideologies in the United States, there are frequent updates and changes to immigration law. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's essential to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Finally, 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 Cerritos, 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 try to handle this by yourself, you could be up against:
- Variable eligibility requirements
- Complex paperwork and forms
- Persecution in your home country
- Conflicting national and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Talking to your Cerritos, 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 Cerritos, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law can be unclear and confusing. Cases aren't as simple as walking through the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, you can have someone at your side to help: for any legal guidance you need, your Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer will be there to guide you.
A common first step an immigration attorney can help with is when you apply to enter the United States. There are many paths to enter the U.S., but three paths that often benefit from legal assistance are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Cerritos, CA, helps people who are not safe in their home country immigrate to the United States. If you have faced threats or violence because of your race, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. Later, after spending some time in the U.S., you'll be able to apply for lawful permanent resident status.
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 new, full-time jobs 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. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering from harsh circumstances and extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is designed for individuals who were told they do not qualify to immigrate to the U.S. because of factors like 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 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 Cerritos, CA
An immigration lawyer is here to advise you after you're in the United States, as well. For many people, the next steps are earning your Green Card, then your U.S. citizenship. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is dedicated to helping Cerritos residents reach their immigration 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. 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 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 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 process can be difficult, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated documentation involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help give you insight in the process and protect you from mistakes on your application.
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. 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.
If you have any questions on these requirements, call our offices now. We are here to help you no matter where you are in the process.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Cerritos, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
If you're facing a deportation order, it's natural to be scared and upset. While challenging and intimidating, you can fight back. 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 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, it's important to act fast. Your Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer can file a cancellation of removal 42(b) or 42(a) procedure to keep you in the United States and grant (or preserve) lawful permanent resident status.
42(b) applies to individuals who already reside in the United States but are not lawful permanent residents. Unfortunately, these cancellations are not unlimited, 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 instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. Also, there is no limit on the number that the government can give out. Below are the requirements you must meet for 42(a):
- 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 you're still facing removal after a 42(a) or 42(b) application, this isn't your final option. Your Cerritos, 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 makes sense when your circumstances have changed in a way that could change the court's decision. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider argues that an error was made in the previous decision, or that the applicable law has changed. By getting help immediately, you don't have to give up and accept the negative result.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. In particular, people who are crime victims are given special treatment that can help with the immigration process. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley can help applicants with any of the below procedures:
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
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 meet the following requirements:
- 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 is applicable for a broader range of people who have been victimized by crime. 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 Cerritos, 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
- 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
What to Look for in an Immigration Lawyer in Cerritos, CA
There's a lot to consider when deciding on the right Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer for your case. See our list of top immigration lawyer qualities below:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A plan that's tailored for you
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Cultural sensitivity to your traditions
Your Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone that is prepared to handle your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and create a unique plan that is designed for you. If you're facing an immigration issue in Cerritos, reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174.
Cerritos, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
Immigrants in Cerritos face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you've been accused of a crime, you could be facing serious immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Cerritos, CA, should be someone who can help you with more than just the immigration process.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. 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 immigration status is, we are ready to fight for you.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Cerritos, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Cerritos, CA, immigration lawyer can also help 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 minimize the impact of a conviction on your immigration status.
Work With an Experienced Cerritos, CA, Immigration Lawyer
If you're an immigrant in Cerritos facing legal complications, you need help from experts. Whether you need help reuniting with family, applying for asylum, appealing a court decision, or any similar legal help, our attorneys have the experience and expertise needed to guide you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Cerritos, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with an immigration lawyer in Cerritos, CA, today by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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