Immigration Lawyer in Commerce, CA. Your Commerce, 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 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. You want to work with an experienced team of attorneys who will treat you with compassion 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 review your case. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Commerce, 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 Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can have a significant impact on your case. Your immigration attorney will help you avoid mistakes 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 pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Additionally, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in Commerce, 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 try to handle this by yourself, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Hundreds of dollars in fees
- Conflicting national and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Contacting your Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Lawful Entry to the United States With Your Commerce, 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 through the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, professional help can make a major difference: Wherever you are on the immigration pathway, your Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer can explain and guide you through the process.
Your journey begins when you first apply to enter the United States. There are many paths to enter the U.S., but some of the ones we most frequently assist with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Commerce, CA, can help you avoid persecution in your home country through migration to the United States. If you are under attack because of your race, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can aid you in your asylum application. After enough time has passed, 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 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) give potential immigrants who are ineligible another chance at entry. They can apply in situations where you 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 people 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. Normally, this waiver is filed by someone currently outside the country. Waiver 601(a), on the other hand, is specifically for people who are already in the United States unlawfully and could be deported. 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 Commerce, CA
Your Commerce, 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 Commerce 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. It allows you to become a lawful permanent resident, also known as earning your 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 help you determine which path is most likely to work in your favor.
Citizenship Applications
A common end goal for immigrants is to apply for U.S. citizenship. Unfortunately, this can be a challenge for many people, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated registration involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help understand the procedure and protect you from mistakes on your application.
If you want to become a United States 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 servicemember in the United States 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'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 Commerce.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Commerce, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
It's hard to imagine something more difficult than having the government attempt to remove you from the country. 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, it's important to act fast. Your Commerce, 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 immigrants who currently are in the United States but are not lawful permanent residents. Unfortunately, these cancellations are not unlimited, and they are very competitive. 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 instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. additionally, there are unlimited 42(a) slots available, making it a less competitive process. 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 your cancellation of removal application is rejected, don't give up hope. Your Commerce, 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 if you have found new evidence that could persuade a judge to keep you in the United States. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider can be filed if the previous judgement was legally incorrect, or if 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 are crime victims 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) 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. At the end of this time, qualifying T Visa holders can apply for lawful permanent resident status.
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
- Aid in law enforcement's investigation of the trafficking
- 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 Commerce, 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 violated a U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
What You Need in an Immigration Lawyer in Commerce, CA
Your Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be someone who will put you first. Here are the essential qualities you should look for when picking someone to work with:
- Experience with similar cases
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Cultural sensitivity to your lifestyle
Your Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone that is prepared to help you with your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are aware of the cultural needs of our different clients. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in Commerce, CA, reach out to us today at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Commerce, CA
For some people, immigration challenges don't stop when you earn your Green Card. If you've been accused of a crime, there could be major immigration consequences after a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Commerce, 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 dedicated attorneys will help you fight for justice in all of the following case types:
Whatever criminal charge you're up against, and whatever your situation is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Commerce, CA
Criminal accusations are difficult to handle. Criminal convictions can be even harder, but don't give up yet. Your Commerce, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. Each case's options are unique, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. When you act fast, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
Our Commerce, CA, Immigration Lawyers Will Stand By Your Side
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Commerce, CA. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, becoming a lawful permanent resident, appealing a court decision, 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 Commerce, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Commerce, CA, right away by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online. Whatever challenge you're facing, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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