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, preparing for a citizenship application, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or fighting in removal proceedings, expert legal help will maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Get legal help, no matter what immigration situation you're going through. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will treat you with compassion 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 send us a message online to set up a free case review.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
Why You Need 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 help you avoid mistakes 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 have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Finally, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in Sherman Oaks, CA, Difficult?
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 start this process alone, you could be facing:
- Variable eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Language barriers when working on applications
- Conflicting national and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Talking to your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer puts you in a positive position and maximizes your chances of a successful outcome.
How an Immigration Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, 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, professional help can make a major difference: From the moment you first enter the country to filling out your citizenship application, your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer can explain and guide you through the process.
Your journey begins when you first apply for entry to the United States. There are many paths to enter the U.S., but three paths that often benefit from legal assistance 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 association with a social group, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. After enough time has passed, we can also help you apply for 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) exist to waive certain entry requirements for qualifying individuals. They can apply in situations where you have a qualifying relative who is suffering extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for potential immigrants 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. Normally, this waiver is filed by someone currently outside the country. Waiver 601(a), meanwhile, 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
Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer can help with more than just entry to the United States. For many people, the next steps are earning your Green Card, then your U.S. citizenship. 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)
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 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 can help you determine which path is best for your circumstances.
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.
Before becoming a U.S. 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. armed forces
- 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 Sherman Oaks.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, Can Fight Against Removal
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 until it's too late. Your Sherman Oaks, 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 already reside 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. 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 are unlimited 42(a) slots available, making it a less competitive process. 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 the end of the line. Your Sherman Oaks, 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 acting fast, 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. Notably, 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 can help you with any of the below situations:
Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)
The United States offers Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) to protect children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. We will advocate for you and present your case 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 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 is a lot like a T Visa, but is designed for a much wider type of crimes. 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 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 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
Top Sherman Oaks, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be someone who will put you first. If you want a leading immigration attorney, look for the following:
- Experience helping people in your situation
- Knowledge of the process you're involved in
- A plan that's tailored for you
- Bilingual communication skills
- A client-centered attitude
- Respect for your customs
Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone that is prepared to take on your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are aware of the cultural needs of our different clients. If you're facing an immigration issue in Sherman Oaks, CA, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Sherman Oaks, 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 life-changing immigration consequences if you're convicted. Your immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, should also be ready to defend you in criminal court.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is prepared to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. Our skillful attorneys can help Sherman Oaks immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your situation is, we are ready to fight for you.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Sherman Oaks, CA
Many people feel defeated after a criminal conviction, but you don't have to give up yet. Your Sherman Oaks, CA, immigration lawyer can also aid you with post-conviction relief. Different cases require different types of support, but our attorneys help clients seal criminal records, file motions to vacate previous convictions, and more. If you get help right away, you can minimize the impact of a conviction on your immigration status.
Our Sherman Oaks, CA, Immigration Lawyers Will Stand By Your Side
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Sherman Oaks, CA. Whether you need help reuniting with family, earning your Green Card, appealing a court decision, or any other immigration services, our attorneys will guide you and fight for you.
We also aid with the following legal services in Sherman Oaks, CA:
Talk to an immigration lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA, right away by calling our team at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help you online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, our team is ready to advocate for you.
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