Immigration Lawyer in Ventura, CA. Your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced. Whether you're looking for assistance entering the United States, 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. Don't settle for less than an experienced team of attorneys who will treat you properly and fight for your goals. 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 now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a no obligation review of your case.
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Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer in Ventura, CA
There is not a legal requirement to work with an immigration lawyer in Ventura, CA, but doing so can have a significant impact on 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. As legal requirements change, it's essential to have an expert who can explain the current situation to you.
Lastly, if you're facing removal proceedings, your attorney will be someone to fight in your corner against deportation.
What Makes Immigration in Ventura, 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. For a variety of reasons, thousands of green card applications are rejected each year.
If you start this process alone, you could be up against:
- Difficult to understand eligibility requirements
- Complex and unintuitive paperwork
- An intense interview process
- Conflicting federal and state laws
- Months-long wait times while cases are pending
Talking to your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer gives you a guide who can help you navigate these challenges and maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
How Your Ventura, 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 through the border or filling out some simple paperwork. Fortunately, you don't have to handle these processes alone: for any legal guidance you need, your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer can offer you support.
For many people, the first step is to 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 Ventura, CA, can help you avoid persecution in your home country through migration to the United States. If you are under attack because of your race, political opinion, religion, or other protected characteristic, we can help you apply for asylum protection. 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 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 come from an investment of at least $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) give potential immigrants who are ineligible another chance at entry. Specifically, they are designed to help if you have a qualifying relative who is suffering extreme hardship.
Waiver 601 is relevant for 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. 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 could be deported. Working with your immigration attorney, you can present a case that demonstrates 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 Ventura, CA
Your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer can help with more than just entry to the United States. 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 offers help for Ventura immigrant residents chasing their goals, whatever they are.
Adjustment of Status/Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
It's common for United States immigrants to seek Adjustment of Status. If you qualify, you can be given lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). The qualifications you need to meet change 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 process can be difficult, due to the many steps, fees, and complicated registration involved. A U.S. citizenship lawyer can help understand the procedure and protect you from mistakes on your application.
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
- You can be under the age of 18 in this case, and the language requirements may be relaxed.
If you're not sure whether or not you're eligible, or need help determining how to qualify, contact our offices today. Whatever your path to citizenship looks like, we are honored to be a part of it.
How Your Immigration Lawyer in Ventura, CA, Can Fight Against Deportation
If you're facing a deportation order, it's natural to be scared and upset. 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 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, it's important to act fast. Your Ventura, 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 individuals who already live in the United States but are not lawful permanent residents. 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. For this procedure, 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 is for people who already have their Green Cards. 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
- 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 your final option. Your Ventura, 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 the law has been updated. By getting help immediately, you don't have to give up and accept the negative result.
Special Circumstances: How Your Immigration Attorney Can Help
There are times when the normal process for immigration doesn't apply. 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
For individuals who rely on the court or government for support, this can stabilize your life while you plan for the future.
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
- 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. It applies to anyone who has been a victim of abuse. If you are filing a U Visa, you should look for an immigration lawyer in Ventura, 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
How to Find the Right Ventura, CA Immigration Lawyer
When looking for the right Ventura, 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 working with clients just like you
- Knowledge of how to handle your needs
- A reputation of success
- Bilingual communication skills
- Sympathy for clients
- Reverence for your traditions
Your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is someone with the experience and knowledge needed to take on your case. We offer Spanish bilingual support and are respectful to our different clients' needs. If you need help with an immigration problem in Ventura, CA, call us today at (800) 755-5174.
Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants in Ventura, CA
Immigrants in Ventura 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 Ventura, CA, should be someone who can help you with more than just the immigration process.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm is isn't going to settle for a 'good enough' outcome – instead, they'll fight for the best deal possible for your situation. Our seasoned attorneys can help Ventura immigrants defend themselves against the following criminal accusations:
Whatever you've been accused of, and whatever your immigration background is, we want to be on your side.
Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants in Ventura, CA
If you're convicted of a crime, that doesn't have to be the end of your case. Your Ventura, CA, immigration lawyer can also help 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. By acting now, you can protect your immigration status from unnecessary side-effects.
Our Ventura, CA, Immigration Lawyers Will Stand By Your Side
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we want to serve the immigrant community in Ventura, CA. Whether you need help fighting a deportation order, becoming a lawful permanent resident, appealing a court decision, or any related services, our attorneys are ready to stand by your side.
We also aid with the following legal services in Ventura, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Connect with an immigration lawyer in Ventura, CA, today by calling (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online. Whatever challenge you're facing, we are ready to fight alongside you.
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