Immigration Lawyer in Culver City, CA. Your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're looking for assistance entering the United States, applying for citizenship, 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 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 send us a message online to set up a free case review.
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Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer in Culver City, CA
Working with an immigration lawyer in Culver City, CA, is not required by law, but it can make a big difference in your case. Your immigration attorney will give you insights into common mistakes people make and keep you informed on what to expect from your case.
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 have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Lastly, if you're facing deportation, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
Common Immigration Challenges in Culver City, CA
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. And afterward, it can be nearly as difficult to apply for citizenship. Between paperwork, eligibility requirements, and other hurdles, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you start this process alone, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex forms and required documents
- An intense interview process
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Contacting your Culver City, 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 Culver City, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law is complicated and varied. 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: from the moment your first reach out until you've achieved your goals, your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer is available to help.
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 Culver City, CA, is dedicated to helping people facing injustice in their home country gain entry to the U.S. If you have faced threats or violence 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, our attorneys can help you apply for adjustment of status and earn your green card.
EB5 Visa Program (Commercial Investment)
The EB5 Visa Program provides a path for foreign business owners and/or investors to enter the United States, through the creation of a new business in the U.S. 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 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 designed for potential immigrants 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. 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 deported. Your Culver City 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 Culver City, CA
Your Culver City, 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 is dedicated to helping Culver City residents reach their immigration goals, whatever they are.
Adjustment of Status/Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
It's common for United States immigrants to seek Adjustment of Status. When granted, you become a lawful permanent resident (AKA a Green Card holder). The requirements vary 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
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 process can be difficult, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated document requirements involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help guide you through 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 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
- 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. We offer help for a variety of U.S. citizenship application circumstances in Culver City.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Culver City, CA, Can Protect You From Deportation
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'll get a chance to argue against your removal. 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, you need to act quickly. Your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer can file a cancellation of removal 42(b) or 42(a) procedure to let you stay in the country and grant (or preserve) lawful permanent resident status.
42(b) applies to immigrants who presently 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. For this procedure, you must meet the following requirements:
- Live in the U.S. for 10 years, without major breaks
- 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. 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
Even if your 42(a) or 42(b) process doesn't work, don't give up hope. Your Culver City, 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 argues that an error was made in the previous decision, or that the applicable law has changed. By getting help immediately, you can get a second chance to fight against deportation.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. Notably, 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) to protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. We will advocate for you and present your case 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
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. 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 reside 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 applicable for a broader range of people who have been victimized by crime. 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 Culver City, 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
- 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 Culver City, CA Immigration Lawyer
When looking for the right Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. If you want a leading immigration attorney, look for the following:
- Experience helping people in your situation
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A plan that's tailored for you
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Reverence for your way of life
Your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone who is ready to help you with your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are aware of the cultural needs of our different clients. If you need help with an immigration problem in Culver City, CA, call us today at (800) 755-5174.
Culver City, 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, there could be life-changing immigration consequences after a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Culver City, CA, should also be ready to fight against criminal accusations.
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 will help you fight for justice in all of the following case types:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your immigration background is, our team is here to help.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Culver City, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Culver City, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. Different cases require different types of support, but our attorneys help clients seal criminal records, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. By acting now, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
Get Help From Expert Culver City, CA, Immigration Lawyers
If you're an immigrant in Culver City facing legal complications, you need help from experts. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, applying for asylum, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any similar legal help, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Culver City, CA:
Talk to an immigration lawyer in Culver City, CA, today by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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