Immigration Lawyer in South San Diego, CA. Your South San Diego, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're trying to reunite with a family member, applying for citizenship, petitioning for a fiancé, spouse, or family member, or being threatened by deportation, you're facing life-changing circumstances.
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 stand by you and advocate for you. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
We cover a wide array of immigration matters, and are ready to help you today. Call us anytime at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a free, confidential consultation.
Hablamos español. Llame ahora al (800) 755-5174.
The Importance of Working With an Immigration Lawyer in South San Diego, CA
Working with an immigration lawyer in South San Diego, CA, is not required by law, but it can make a big difference in 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.
They can also help you navigate the ever-changing United States immigration law landscape. When trying to understand the current laws, it's essential to find a lawyer who understands the law and can explain the requirements to you.
Finally, if you're facing deportation, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in South San Diego, CA, Difficult?
Immigrants face a long road just to enter the United States. And afterward, it's hard to become a U.S. citizen. 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:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- Barriers to healthcare access
- Conflicting national and state laws
- A backlog of immigration cases on the docket
Contacting your South San Diego, CA, immigration lawyer is a way to address these challenges and prepare yourself for the process.
How Your South San Diego, CA, Immigration Lawyer Helps You Enter the U.S.
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 through the border 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 South San Diego, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
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 South San Diego, CA, is dedicated to helping people facing injustice in their home country gain entry to the U.S. If you have faced threats or violence because of your race, political opinion, 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 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 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 jobs for U.S. workers.
Waivers 601 & 601(a) (Family Hardship)
Waivers 601 and 601(a) give potential immigrants who are ineligible another chance at entry. For one to apply to your case, you must have a qualifying relative who is suffering from a serious medical condition, has serious financial difficulties, or is experiencing another extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for people who were told they are not allowed to immigrate to the U.S. because of factors like 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 are not lawfully in the U.S. and could be removed from the country. 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 South San Diego, 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 wants to support South San Diego immigrants pursuing their 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. It allows you to become a lawful permanent resident, also known as earning your Green Card. The qualifications you need to meet change 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 can inform you on what options are most likely to work for you.
Citizenship Applications
A common end goal for immigrants is to apply for U.S. citizenship. Unfortunately, this can be a challenge for many people, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated document requirements involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help guide you through the process and check your application for errors.
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. 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.
Contact us today to get help with your U.S. citizenship application. We are here to help you no matter where you are in the process.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in South San Diego, 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 don't get the result you want, 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 South San Diego, 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 currently live 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. 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 is for people who already have their Green Cards. Also, there is no limit on the number that the government can give out. 42(a) applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- 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 your cancellation of removal application is rejected, this isn't the end of the line. Your South San Diego, 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 is best used if there was an error in the court proceedings, or if the the law has been updated. 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 are given special treatment that can help with the immigration process. 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) as a form of immigration relief for children who were victims of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. 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 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 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 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, you will want an immigration lawyer in South San Diego, 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 provide information that helps the law enforcement investigation
- The crime violated a U.S. law
- You must meet typical admission requirements
Top South San Diego, CA, Immigration Lawyer Qualities
There are many South San Diego, 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 similar cases
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation for delivering for clients
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for your situation
- Respect for your heritage
Your South San Diego, CA, immigration lawyer from our firm is someone that is prepared to take on your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you're facing an immigration issue in South San Diego, CA, talk to one of our attorneys now at (800) 755-5174.
South San Diego, CA, Immigrant Criminal Defense Lawyer
For some people, immigration challenges don't stop when you earn your Green Card. If you're facing criminal accusations, there could be serious immigration consequences if you're convicted. Your immigration lawyer in South San Diego, CA, needs to be someone who can fight for your freedom in criminal court as well.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is going to be dedicated to protecting your freedom and wellbeing. Our skillful attorneys will help you fight for justice in all of the following case types:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration background is, our team is here to help.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in South San Diego, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your South San Diego, 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. When you act fast, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
Our South San Diego, CA, Immigration Lawyers Will Stand By Your Side
Immigrants in South San Diego have worked hard to build their lives, and deserve high-quality legal assistance. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, applying for a work visa, appealing a court decision, or any similar legal help, our attorneys have the experience and expertise needed to guide you.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in South San Diego, CA:
Connect with an immigration lawyer in South San Diego, CA, right away by calling us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever immigration legal situation you are in, you can call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
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