Immigration Lawyer in Linda Vista, CA. Your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone you can trust with your life – because, in a way, you're doing just that. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, preparing for a citizenship application, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or being threatened by deportation, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
Get expert help, no matter what immigration situation you're going through. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will defend you from injustice 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 help you today. Call us anytime at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a no obligation consultation.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
What Your Linda Vista, CA, Immigration Lawyer Will Do For You
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in Linda Vista, CA, but doing so can make a big difference in your case. Your immigration attorney will stop you from making common errors and save time in whatever type of case you're facing.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's essential to have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Additionally, if you're facing deportation, your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
Common Immigration Challenges in Linda Vista, CA
Immigrants face a long road just to enter the United States. 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 paperwork and forms
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting national and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Talking to your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer is a way to address these challenges and prepare yourself for the process.
Lawful Entry to the United States With Your Linda Vista, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law can be unclear and confusing. 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 you first enter the country to filling out your citizenship application, your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
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 most common ones we help with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Linda Vista, 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 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 helps foreign investors enter the U.S. by giving them a visa for investing enough money and creating enough jobs with that investment. 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. For one to apply to your case, you must have a qualifying relative who is suffering extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is designed for individuals 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. 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 Linda Vista 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 Linda Vista, CA
Entering the U.S. likely isn't the end of your journey, and your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer is still here to help. 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 is dedicated to helping Linda Vista residents reach their immigration goals, whatever they are.
Adjustment of Status/Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
Applying for Adjustment of Status is a big deal for many American immigrants. If you qualify, you can be given lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). 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 inform you on what options are most likely to work for you.
Citizenship Applications
After moving to the United States, many immigrants want to become U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, this can be a barrier for many, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated filings involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help understand the procedure 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. 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.
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 Linda Vista, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
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'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, don't wait and let the proceedings pass by without a fight. Your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer can file a cancellation of removal 42(b) or 42(a) procedure to keep you in the United States and grant (or preserve) lawful permanent resident status.
42(b) applies to immigrants who currently are 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:
- 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 is no limit on the number that the government can give out. 42(a) applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- 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 the end of the line. Your Linda Vista, 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 applicable law has changed. 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. In particular, 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) to protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. 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
Getting a chance to stay in the U.S. can be life-changing for some people.
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 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 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 should look for an immigration lawyer in Linda Vista, 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 violated a U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
What You Need in an Immigration Lawyer in Linda Vista, CA
When looking for the right Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. As you look for an immigration attorney to help with your case, keep the following in mind:
- Experience with similar cases
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Reverence for your heritage
Your Linda Vista, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone with the experience and knowledge needed 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 Linda Vista, CA, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
Linda Vista, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
Immigrants in Linda Vista face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you've been accused of a crime, there could be life-changing immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Linda Vista, CA, should be someone who can help you with more than just the immigration process.
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 experienced attorneys are prepared to protect immigrants against criminal charges for all of the following case types:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your immigration background is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Linda Vista, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your Linda Vista, 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, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. If you get help right away, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Linda Vista, CA. You Need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
Immigrants in Linda Vista have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help reuniting with family, 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 Linda Vista, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Linda Vista, CA, right away by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help you online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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