Immigration Lawyer in Long Beach, CA. Your Long Beach, 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 being threatened by deportation, working with the right attorney is essential.
Don't try to do this alone. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will protect your rights and advocate for you. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
Our immigration attorneys are friendly, knowledgeable, and are ready to talk to you. Call us anytime at (800) 755-5174 or send us a message online to set up a no strings attached case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
What Your Long Beach, CA, Immigration Lawyer Will Do For You
Even though there are some immigration procedures you can technically do on your own, it's always a good idea to check with your Long Beach, CA, immigration lawyer before you start. They can have a significant impact on 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 Long Beach, CA, is because immigration law is often changing. As legal requirements change, it's essential to find a lawyer who understands the law and can explain the requirements to you.
Additionally, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney will help you explore avenues to keep you in the country.
Common Immigration Challenges in Long Beach, 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. For a variety of reasons, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
On your own, you could be facing:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Overflowing courts and lengthy waits
Talking to your Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law is complicated and varied. Cases aren't as simple as walking into the country or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: for any legal guidance you need, your Long Beach, CA, immigration lawyer can explain and guide you through the process.
Your journey begins when you first apply for entry to 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 Long Beach, CA, can help you avoid persecution in your home country through migration to the United States. If you have faced threats or violence because of your association with a social group, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. Later, after spending some time in the U.S., we can also help you apply for 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 come from an investment of at least $1,050,000 (or $800,000 if in a Targeted Employment Area) and create at least 10 new, 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. Specifically, they are designed to help if 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 applies to people who were told they are not allowed 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), meanwhile, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission 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 Long Beach, CA
An immigration lawyer is here to advise you after you're in the United States, as well. Applying for lawful permanent resident status or citizenship is a major goal for many American immigrants. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is dedicated to helping Long Beach 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 qualifications you need to meet vary 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
A common end goal for immigrants is to apply for U.S. citizenship. Unfortunately, this can be a barrier for many, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated form processes 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 three requirements:
- 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
- For children of U.S. citizens, you don't need to be over 18, and the English language requirements may be scaled down.
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 Long Beach.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Long Beach, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
One of the most stressful things you can experience as an immigrant is a deportation order. Whatever the circumstances, you do have ways to fight back. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can make a case before a judge to stop your deportation. 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 Long Beach, 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 individuals 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 they are very competitive. 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 instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. additionally, there are unlimited 42(a) slots available, making it a less competitive process. 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
If your cancellation of removal application is rejected, don't give up hope. Your Long Beach, 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 can be filed if the previous judgement was legally incorrect, or if the applicable law has changed. By getting help immediately, you get another opportunity to protect yourself from removal.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
There are times when the normal process for immigration doesn't apply. In particular, 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 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
People who've faced abuse or neglect have endured more than enough. Getting help to stay in the country is important.
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. 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
- Help the police investigate the trafficking operation
- 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 considers a wider range of potential crimes. 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 Long Beach, 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
- 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 Long Beach, CA
There's a lot to consider when deciding on the right Long Beach, CA, immigration lawyer for your case. The list below goes over some of the most important factors to look for in your attorney:
- Experience working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A plan for how to help
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Reverence for your lifestyle
Your Long Beach, 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 respectful to our different clients' needs. If you need help with an immigration problem in Long Beach, call us today at (800) 755-5174.
Long Beach, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
For many people, it's not enough to work with an attorney who only focuses on immigration law. If you've been accused of a crime, there could be life-changing immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Long Beach, CA, should also be ready to defend you in criminal court.
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 Long Beach, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Long Beach, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. The specifics can depend on your case, but our attorneys help clients seal criminal records, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. By acting now, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, CA. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, becoming a lawful permanent resident, reopening your case, 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 Long Beach, CA:
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Long Beach, CA, right away by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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