Immigration Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA. Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer should be someone that has intimate knowledge of U.S. immigration law, not someone without experience. Whether you're looking for assistance entering the United States, ready to become a citizen, 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. You want to work with an experienced team of attorneys who will treat you properly 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 now at (800) 755-5174 or reach out 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 Sherman Oaks, CA
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, but doing so can make a big difference in your case. Your immigration attorney will give you insights into common mistakes people make and give you time back to focus on the rest of your life, while they manage your case.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. With the ever-changing legal landscape, it's important to have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Additionally, if you're facing removal from the U.S., your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
Legal and Related Problems Immigrants Face in Sherman Oaks, CA
Getting into the United States requires immigrants to overcome several legal challenges. And afterward, it's hard to become a U.S. citizen. Despite applicants' best efforts, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
On your own, you could be up against:
- Complicated, overlapping eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Persecution in your home country
- Conflicting national and state laws
- Overflowing courts and lengthy waits
Contacting your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Lawful Entry to the United States With Your Sherman Oaks, CA Immigration Lawyer
United States immigration law is complicated and varied. Cases aren't as simple as crossing the border or filling out a citizenship form. Fortunately, you can have someone at your side to help: for any legal guidance you need, your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
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 some of the most common ones we help with are through asylum, family hardship, or commercial investment.
Asylum
An asylum immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, helps people who are not safe in their home country immigrate to the United States. If you are under attack because of your race, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you find protection through asylum. After enough time has passed, you'll be able to apply for lawful permanent resident status.
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 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. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 applies to potential immigrants 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. Normally, this waiver is filed by someone currently outside the country. Waiver 601(a), on the other hand, is specifically for people have entered the U.S. without permission and are facing deportation. Your Sherman Oaks 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 Sherman Oaks, CA
Entering the U.S. likely isn't the end of your journey, and your Sherman Oaks, 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 Sherman Oaks residents reach their immigration 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. 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 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
Lawful permanent resident status may be enough for some people, but others want to become United States citizens. A Green Card is the end goal for some people, but many also want to earn their United States citizenship. 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 verify your eligibility.
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 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
- You can be under the age of 18 in this case, and the language requirements may be relaxed.
If you have any questions on these requirements, call our offices now. Whatever your path to citizenship looks like, we are honored to be a part of it.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
If you're facing a deportation order, it's natural to be scared and upset. But we're ready to help you fight for your place in the U.S. By filing a cancellation of removal, you can make a case before a judge to stop your deportation. 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, you need to act quickly. Your Sherman Oaks, 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 presently reside in the United States but do not have a Green Card. Unfortunately, these cancellations are not unlimited, and many people apply for them. To qualify, 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. 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
If you're still facing removal after a 42(a) or 42(b) application, this isn't your final option. Your Sherman Oaks, 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 makes sense when your circumstances have changed in a way that could change the court's decision. 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 acting fast, you don't have to give up and accept the negative result.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
Not every immigration case follows the ordinary rules. In particular, people who are crime victims 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) 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 effectively gives someone lawful resident status in the United States for up to 4 years, if they were a victim of human trafficking. 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 live 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 is applicable for a broader range of people who have been victimized by crime. People who have suffered abuse (where the United States has jurisdiction) can apply for a U Visa. If you are filing a U Visa, it's important to work with an immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, 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 are working or will work with the police to help them catch the abuser
- The crime violated a U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
What You Need in an Immigration Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA
There are many Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyers to choose from, but not all of them are right for your case. See our list of top immigration lawyer qualities below:
- Experience with immigration law
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Cultural sensitivity to your customs
Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone who is ready to handle your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are aware of the cultural needs of our different clients. If you're an immigrant in a difficult legal situation in Sherman Oaks, CA, reach out to us today at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Sherman Oaks, CA
Immigrants in Sherman Oaks face challenges outside of the immigration and naturalization process. If you've been accused of a crime, you could be facing major immigration consequences after a conviction. Your immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, should also be ready to fight against criminal accusations.
A criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is going to be dedicated to protecting your freedom and wellbeing. Our seasoned attorneys will help you fight for justice in all of the following case types:
Whatever crime accusation you're facing, and whatever your immigration background is, we are ready to fight for you.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Sherman Oaks, CA
Criminal accusations are difficult to handle. Criminal convictions can be even harder, but don't give up yet. Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer can also help you with post-conviction relief. Each case's options are unique, but our attorneys help clients file appeals, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. When you act fast, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
Our Sherman Oaks, CA, Immigration Lawyers Will Stand By Your Side
Immigrants in Sherman Oaks have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help reuniting with family, applying for a work visa, becoming a U.S. citizen, or any other immigration services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Sherman Oaks, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with an immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, now by calling (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, you can call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
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