Immigration Lawyer in Inglewood, CA. Your Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, 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.
Don't try to do this alone. 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.
Our offices can assist with all the most common immigration matters, and are ready to talk to you. Call us today at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online to set up a free, confidential consultation.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in Inglewood, CA
Working with an immigration lawyer in Inglewood, CA, is not required by law, but it 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. When trying to understand the current laws, it's important to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Finally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney can help you build a defense that guards your legal status against prosecution.
Common Immigration Challenges in Inglewood, CA
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. And afterward, it's hard to become a U.S. citizen. 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:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex paperwork and forms
- An intense interview process
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Talking to your Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law can be unclear and confusing. Cases aren't as simple as crossing the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, professional help can make a major difference: From the moment you first enter the country to filling out your citizenship application, your Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer will be there to guide you.
For many people, the first step is to apply to enter the United States. You could take any of several routes to enter the United States, but three paths that often benefit from legal assistance are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Inglewood, 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, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you find protection through asylum. Later, after spending some time in the U.S., our attorneys can help you apply for adjustment of status and earn your green card.
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 full-time employment opportunities 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. 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 are not allowed 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 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 Inglewood, CA
Your Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer can help with more than just entry to the United States. If you want to apply for lawful permanent resident status, or to become a U.S. citizen, you can get professional help with that, too. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley wants to support Inglewood immigrants pursuing 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 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 help you determine which path is most likely to work in your favor.
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 give you insight in the process and check your application for errors.
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
- You can be under the age of 18 in this case, and the language requirements may be relaxed.
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 Inglewood, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
If you're facing a deportation order, it's natural to be scared and upset. But we're ready to help you fight for your place in the U.S. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can force the state to fight you in court, where we can defend you. 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, you need to act quickly. Your Inglewood, 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 presently 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:
- 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. 42(a) applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- 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 Inglewood, 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 when you have new evidence that could change the result of a hearing. 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 get another opportunity to protect yourself from removal.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. Notably, people who are crime victims 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
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 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. It applies to anyone who has been a victim of abuse. If you are filing a U Visa, you will want an immigration lawyer in Inglewood, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
The main criteria to apply for a U Visa are:
- You must have been victimized by a crime from an applicable list
- You must have suffered abuse in the process
- You provide information that helps the law enforcement investigation
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top Inglewood, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
When looking for the right Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. See our list of top immigration lawyer qualities below:
- Experience helping people in your situation
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A reputation for delivering for clients
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Cultural sensitivity to your way of life
Your Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley 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 need help with an immigration problem in Inglewood, reach out to us now at (800) 755-5174.
Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, CA, should also be ready to defend you in criminal court.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Our skillful attorneys can help Inglewood immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your immigration status is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Inglewood, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Inglewood, 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 Inglewood, CA, Immigration Lawyers
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Inglewood, CA. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, becoming a lawful permanent resident, appealing a court decision, or any related services, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
We also aid with the following legal services in Inglewood, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Start working with an immigration lawyer in Inglewood, CA, today by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, our team is ready to advocate for you.
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