Immigration Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA. Your Chatsworth, 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 defending against deportation, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
Get legal 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 review your case. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free, confidential consultation.
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The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in Chatsworth, 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 Chatsworth, 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 save time in whatever type of case you're facing.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. When trying to understand the current laws, it's important 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.
Legal and Related Problems Immigrants Face in Chatsworth, CA
Immigrants face a long road just to enter the United States. 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 try to handle this by yourself, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex paperwork and forms
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Talking to your Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Chatsworth, 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, professional help can make a major difference: for any legal guidance you need, your Chatsworth, 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 Chatsworth, 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 aid you in your asylum application. 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 new, 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. 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 cannot 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), on the other hand, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission and are facing deportation. Your Chatsworth immigration attorney can 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 Chatsworth, CA
Your Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer can help with more than just entry to the United States. 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 Chatsworth immigrants pursuing 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. If you qualify, you can be given lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). The requirements 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 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 understand the procedure and protect you from mistakes on your application.
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 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 Chatsworth.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, Can Protect You From Deportation
One of the most stressful things you can experience as an immigrant is a deportation order. 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, don't wait until it's too late. Your Chatsworth, 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 currently reside in the United States but do not have a Green Card. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of these slots available, and many people apply for them. To qualify, 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 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
- United States resident for at least 7 continuous 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, don't give up hope. Your Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer can file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider, which can give you another chance to stay in the U.S. A motion to reopen is applicable if you have found new evidence that could persuade a judge to keep you in the United States. 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
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. 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) 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
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 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 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, you should look for an immigration lawyer in Chatsworth, 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
- You must have suffered abuse in the process
- 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 Chatsworth, CA Immigration Lawyer
There's a lot to consider when deciding on the right Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer for your case. As you look for an immigration attorney to help with your case, keep the following in mind:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A plan for how to help
- Bilingual communication skills
- A client-centered attitude
- Cultural sensitivity to your heritage
Your Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone who is ready 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 Chatsworth, reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174.
Chatsworth, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
For some people, immigration challenges don't stop when you earn your Green Card. If you've been accused of a crime, you could be facing life-changing immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, should be someone who can help you with more than just the immigration process.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone dedicated to finding the best outcome possible for you. Our seasoned attorneys can help Chatsworth immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration status is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Chatsworth, CA
Criminal accusations are difficult to handle. Criminal convictions can be even harder, but don't give up yet. Your Chatsworth, CA, immigration lawyer can also aid you with post-conviction relief. Different cases require different types of support, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. By acting now, you can minimize the impact of a conviction on your immigration status.
Get Help From Expert Chatsworth, CA, Immigration Lawyers
Immigrants in Chatsworth have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, earning your Green Card, appealing a court decision, or any similar legal help, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
Our firm can also assist you with the following legal services in Chatsworth, CA:
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, now by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help you online. Whatever challenge you're facing, our team is ready to advocate for you.
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