Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA. Your San Gabriel, 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.
It's important to have the right person by your side when you're going through these situations. You want to work with an experienced team of attorneys who will treat you with compassion and fight for your goals. 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 today at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free case review.
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The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in San Gabriel, 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.
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 find a lawyer who understands the law and can explain the requirements to you.
Additionally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney can help you build a defense that guards your legal status against prosecution.
What Makes Immigration in San Gabriel, CA, Difficult?
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. And afterward, it can be nearly as difficult to apply for citizenship. Despite applicants' best efforts, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you start this process alone, you'll be trying to overcome:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex forms and required documents
- An intense interview process
- Conflicting national and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Working with your San Gabriel, CA, immigration lawyer is a way to address these challenges and prepare yourself for the process.
How an Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA Can Help You Get Into the United States
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 walking into the country or filling out some simple paperwork. 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 San Gabriel, CA, immigration lawyer will be there to guide you.
A common first step an immigration attorney can help with is when you 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 San Gabriel, 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 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) exist to waive certain entry requirements for qualifying individuals. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering from harsh circumstances and extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for individuals who were told they cannot 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 who are already in the United States unlawfully and are facing deportation. 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 San Gabriel, 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 offers help for San Gabriel 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 circumstances – for example, if you are are a religious worker, you must be entering the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization. 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 process can be difficult, 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 Green Card holder 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 offer help for a variety of U.S. citizenship application circumstances in San Gabriel.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA, Can Protect You From Deportation
It's hard to imagine something more difficult than having the government attempt to remove you from the country. While challenging and intimidating, you can 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 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 San Gabriel, 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 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:
- 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 instead applies to people who already have lawful permanent residence status. Also, there is no limit on the number that the government can give out. To be eligible for this procedure, you must meet the following criteria:
- 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 you're still facing removal after a 42(a) or 42(b) application, this isn't your final option. Your San Gabriel, CA, immigration lawyer can file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider, to challenge the result of the proceedings. A motion to reopen makes sense when your circumstances have changed in a way that could change the court's decision. Meanwhile, a motion to reconsider argues that an error was made in the previous decision, or that the the law has been updated. 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
Sometimes, immigration cases take place in abnormal circumstances. Notably, 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) 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
T Visas
A T Visa effectively gives someone lawful resident status in the United States for up to 4 years, if they were a victim of human trafficking. 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 match the criteria below:
- 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 is a lot like 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, it's important to work with an immigration lawyer in San Gabriel, 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
- You must have suffered abuse in the process
- 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
What to Look for in an Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA
When looking for the right San Gabriel, CA, immigration lawyer, it's important to look for the right criteria. Here are the essential qualities you should look for when picking someone to work with:
- Experience with immigration law
- Knowledge of the relevant laws
- A plan for how to help
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Cultural sensitivity to your traditions
Your San Gabriel, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone who is ready to take on your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in San Gabriel, CA, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in San Gabriel, CA
For some people, immigration challenges don't stop when you earn your Green Card. If you're up against criminal charges, there could be major immigration consequences if you're convicted. Your immigration lawyer in San Gabriel, CA, should also handle any criminal charges you're up against.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone dedicated to finding the best outcome possible for you. Our dedicated attorneys can help San Gabriel immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration status is, our team is here to help.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in San Gabriel, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your San Gabriel, 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, earn certificates of rehabilitation, and more. When you act fast, you can defend yourself against far-reaching immigration consequences.
You Need a Leading Immigration Lawyer in San Gabriel, CA. You Need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
If you're an immigrant in San Gabriel facing legal complications, you need help from experts. Whether you need help navigating complicated paperwork, applying for a work visa, becoming a U.S. citizen, 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 San Gabriel, CA:
Speak with an immigration lawyer in San Gabriel, CA, now by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. No matter what kind of immigration legal service you need, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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