Immigration Lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA. Your Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone that has intimate knowledge of U.S. immigration law, not someone without experience. Whether you're seeking a work visa, applying for citizenship, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or fighting in removal proceedings, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
Don't try to do this alone. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will defend you from injustice and fight for your goals. 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 tell us about your case online to set up a no strings attached case review.
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What Your Manhattan Beach, CA, Immigration Lawyer Will Do For You
Working with an immigration lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA, is not required by law, but it can make a big difference in your case. Your immigration attorney will help you avoid mistakes 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.
Additionally, if you're facing deportation, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in Manhattan Beach, CA, Difficult?
Immigrants face a long road just to enter the United States. 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
- Persecution in your home country
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Contacting your Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyer is a way to address these challenges and prepare yourself for the process.
How Your Manhattan Beach, CA, Immigration Lawyer Helps You Enter the U.S.
United States immigration law can be unclear and confusing. Cases aren't as simple as walking into the country or filling out some simple paperwork. Fortunately, professional help can make a major difference: from the moment your first reach out until you've achieved your goals, your Manhattan Beach, 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 Manhattan Beach, 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, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. 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. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 applies to 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 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 Manhattan Beach, CA
An immigration lawyer is here to advise you after you're in the United States, as well. For many people, the next steps are earning your Green Card, then your U.S. citizenship. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley offers help for Manhattan Beach immigrant residents chasing 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. 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 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 challenge for many people, 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.
Before you can apply, 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
- 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 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
One of the most stressful things you can experience as an immigrant is a deportation order. But we're ready to help you fight for your place in the U.S. By filing a cancellation of removal, you'll get a chance to argue against your removal. 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, there isn't any time to waste. Your Manhattan Beach, 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 already are 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:
- 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 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
- 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, this isn't the end of the line. Your Manhattan 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 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
There are times when the normal process for immigration doesn't apply. In particular, people who have been victimized by crime are given special treatment that can help with the immigration process. 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 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 gives victims of human trafficking lawful resident status 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 are 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 Manhattan Beach, CA, who can also help you file a criminal protective order.
Below are the U Visa eligibility requirements:
- You must be a victim of a qualifying crime
- During the crime, you must have suffered abuse
- You are working or will work with the police to help them catch the abuser
- The crime broke U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top Manhattan Beach, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
When looking for the right Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. The list below goes over some of the most important factors to look for in your attorney:
- Experience with similar cases
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A plan that is centered around your needs
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Reverence for your lifestyle
Your Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone with the experience and knowledge needed to handle your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and create a unique plan that is designed for you. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in Manhattan Beach, reach out to us today at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Manhattan Beach, CA
Immigrants in Manhattan Beach face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you're up against criminal charges, you could be facing serious immigration consequences with a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA, should also handle any criminal charges you're up against.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Our seasoned attorneys are here to help you with whatever criminal charge you're facing, including:
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 Manhattan Beach, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Manhattan Beach, CA, immigration lawyer can also aid you with post-conviction relief. The specifics can depend on your case, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. If you get help right away, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
Get Help From Expert Manhattan Beach, CA, Immigration Lawyers
If you're an immigrant in Manhattan Beach facing legal complications, you need help from experts. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, earning your Green Card, appealing a court decision, or any other immigration services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
Our firm can also assist you with the following legal services in Manhattan Beach, CA:
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Manhattan Beach, CA, today by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help you online. Whatever challenge you're facing, you can find an attorney at our firm to represent you.
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