Immigration Lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA. Your Costa Mesa, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're seeking a work visa, ready to become a citizen, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or fighting in removal proceedings, expert legal help will maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Get legal help, no matter what immigration situation you're going through. You want to work with an experienced team of attorneys who will break down the process for you 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 send us a message online to set up a free case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA, Will Help You
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA, but doing so 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.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's important to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Additionally, if you're facing deportation, your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
Legal and Related Problems Immigrants Face in Costa Mesa, CA
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. 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.
On your own, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex forms and required documents
- Persecution in your home country
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Talking to your Costa Mesa, CA, immigration lawyer is a way to address these challenges and prepare yourself for the process.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA Can Help You Get Into the United States
United States immigration law can be unclear and confusing. Cases aren't as simple as walking through the border or filling out some simple paperwork. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: from the moment your first reach out until you've achieved your goals, your Costa Mesa, CA, immigration lawyer is available to help.
A common first step an immigration attorney can help with is when you apply for entry to the United States. You could take any of several routes to enter the United States, but some of the ones we most frequently assist with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA, helps people who are not safe in their home country immigrate to the United States. If you are under attack because of your association with a social group, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you find protection through asylum. 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 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 jobs for U.S. workers.
Waivers 601 & 601(a) (Family Hardship)
Waivers 601 and 601(a) exist to waive certain entry requirements for qualifying individuals. 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 designed for people who were told they cannot 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 who are already in the United States unlawfully 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 Costa Mesa, CA
Your Costa Mesa, 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 wants to support Costa Mesa 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. 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 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 inform you on what options are most likely to work for you.
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 can be a barrier for many, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated document requirements 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 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 Green Card holder 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.
Contact us today to get help with your U.S. citizenship application. Whatever your path to citizenship looks like, we are honored to be a part of it.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Costa Mesa, 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 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 Costa Mesa, 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 presently live 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 instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. additionally, 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
- United States resident for at least 7 continuous years
- No aggravated felony convictions on your record
Motion to Reopen/Motion to Reconsider
Even if your 42(a) or 42(b) process doesn't work, this isn't your final option. Your Costa Mesa, 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 is best used if there was an error in the court proceedings, 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
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 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 match the criteria below:
- Be a victim of severe human trafficking
- Currently live 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 is designed for a much wider type of 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 Costa Mesa, 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 provide information that helps the law enforcement investigation
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top Costa Mesa, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
When looking for the right Costa Mesa, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. If you want a leading immigration attorney, look for the following:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Respect for your customs
Your Costa Mesa, 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 create a unique plan that is designed for you. If you're facing an immigration issue in Costa Mesa, call us now at (800) 755-5174.
Costa Mesa, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
Immigrants in Costa Mesa face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you've been accused of a crime, you could be facing major immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA, needs to be someone who can fight for your freedom in criminal court as well.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is going to be dedicated to protecting your freedom and wellbeing. Our dedicated attorneys are here to help you with whatever criminal charge you're facing, including:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your situation is, our team is here to help.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Costa Mesa, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your Costa Mesa, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. The specifics can depend on your case, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. By acting now, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Costa Mesa, 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 Costa Mesa, CA. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, applying for a work visa, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any related services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
We also aid with the following legal services in Costa Mesa, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with an immigration lawyer in Costa Mesa, CA, today by calling (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help you online. Whatever challenge you're facing, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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