Immigration Lawyer in La Jolla, CA. Your La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone you can trust with your life – because, in a way, you're doing just that. Whether you're seeking a work visa, applying for citizenship, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or defending against deportation, 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 stand by you and fight for your goals. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We cover a wide array of immigration matters, and are ready to help you today. Call us now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to set up a free case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in La Jolla, CA
Working with an immigration lawyer in La Jolla, 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 save time in whatever type of case you're facing.
Another reason to work with an immigration attorney in La Jolla, CA, is because immigration law is often changing. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's essential to pick an experienced attorney who can make the situation easier to understand.
Additionally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
Legal and Related Problems Immigrants Face in La Jolla, CA
It's difficult for prospective immigrants to enter the country. And afterward, becoming a U.S. citizen can be its own challenge. Despite applicants' best efforts, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you try to handle this by yourself, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Variable eligibility requirements
- Complex paperwork and forms
- Language barriers when working on applications
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Overflowing courts and lengthy waits
Working with your La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
How Your La Jolla, CA, Immigration Lawyer Helps You Enter the U.S.
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 crossing the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: From the moment you first enter the country to filling out your citizenship application, your La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyer can explain and guide you through the process.
Your journey begins when you first apply for entry to the United States. There are many paths to enter the U.S., but some of the most common ones we help with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in La Jolla, 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, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can aid you in your asylum application. 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 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 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 relevant for individuals who were told they do not qualify to immigrate to the U.S. for reasons such as 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 who are already in the United States unlawfully and could be deported. Your La Jolla immigration attorney can help you present a case that demonstrates 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 La Jolla, CA
An immigration lawyer is here to advise you after you're in the United States, as well. 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 La Jolla 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 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 registration involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help navigate the challenges 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
- 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 La Jolla.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in La Jolla, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
If you're facing a deportation order, it's natural to be scared and upset. Whatever the circumstances, you do have ways to fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can force the state to fight you in court, where we can defend you. And if you don't get the result you want, 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 La Jolla, 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 already reside in the United States but do not have a Green Card. Unfortunately, the United States government puts a cap on how many 42(b) allowances can be granted each year, and many people apply for them. 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 is for people who already have their Green Cards. Also, 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
- 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, this isn't the end of the line. Your La Jolla, 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 when you have new evidence that could change the result of a hearing. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider is best used if there was an error in the court proceedings, or if the applicable law has changed. By contacting an attorney right away, 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 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 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 gives victims of human trafficking lawful resident status 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 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, you will want an immigration lawyer in La Jolla, 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
- 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
What to Look for in an Immigration Lawyer in La Jolla, CA
There are many La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyers to choose from, but not all of them are right for your case. As you look for an immigration attorney to help with your case, keep the following in mind:
- Experience with immigration law
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation for providing high-quality service
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Respect for your heritage
Your La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone that is prepared to help you with your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and create a unique plan that is designed for you. If you need help with an immigration problem in La Jolla, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in La Jolla, CA
Immigrants in La Jolla face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you're facing criminal accusations, there could be serious immigration consequences after a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in La Jolla, CA, should be someone who can help you with more than just the immigration process.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Our dedicated attorneys can help La Jolla immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your situation is, our team is here to help.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in La Jolla, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your La Jolla, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. Different cases require different types of support, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. When you act fast, you can minimize the impact of a conviction on your immigration status.
Get Help From Expert La Jolla, CA, Immigration Lawyers
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in La Jolla, CA. Whether you need help reuniting with family, earning your Green Card, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any related services, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in La Jolla, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Talk to an immigration lawyer in La Jolla, CA, today by calling (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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