Covid

Covid-19 has changed the way we are providing legal services to our diverse client base. We have all developed a “new normal,” in our business practices and our personal lives. We want you to know that we remain committed to providing you with the zealous representation you have come to expect. However, we do request that you continue to wear face coverings if you are being seen in person. Please contact each office directly to inform yourself of the up to date, sometimes changing weekly, processes in place to better serve you while keeping everyone safe.

Our

Services

Consultation

Consultations are the first step in evaluating an immigration case. We offer regular consultations usually scheduled a few weeks or (with Covid delays) months in advance. We also offer emergency consultations which can be scheduled within 3 business days. See our consultation information page for more details.

Citizenship

Citizenship may be obtained at birth or after birth through naturalization process. Qualifying legal immigrants can apply for citizenship through naturalization. We have experience with complications in Naturalization cases like:

• N-648 Medical Waivers

• N-336 Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)

• N-600 Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship

• I-912 or I-942 Fee Waivers and Fee Reduction

• Complications because of criminal charges or convictions

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA

The immigration relief granted through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) includes work authorization and protection against deportation for two years. However, DACA does not lead directly to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status or Citizenship (USC). In certain cases, using a combination of programs and benefits, it is possible to obtain LPR status for certain DACA status holders. Even though the current administration has attempted to terminate this program, Courts have ordered injunctions and have even required continued renewal of certain applicants’ DACA benefits. We have experience with complications in DACA cases like:

• Previous deportations

• Criminal charges or convictions

Temporary Protected Status TPS

The Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Countries that have already received this designation include: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen. Even though the current administration has attempted to terminate TPS for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador, the legal battle continues in Court similar to DACA, the court has prohibited the termination of this TPS designation without further judicial review. We have experience with complications in TPS cases like:

• Late renewals

• Criminal charges or convictions

Deportation Proceedings

Individuals are placed in deportation proceedings for various reasons, criminal convictions that draw the attention of ICE, denial of applications for immigration benefits, seeking admission at a port of entry. The defenses when in these deportation proceedings vary and depend on the individual’s history but can include:

• Bond Requests

• Cancellation of Deportation for non Residents

• Cancellation of Deportation for LPRs

• VAWA Cancellation

• Political Asylum, Withholding, and CAT

• Voluntary Departure

Removal of Conditional Status (RCS)

For those married for less than two years when their status was granted, the immigrant spouse receives a conditional permanent resident green card valid for 2 years. In order to remain a permanent resident, a conditional permanent resident must file a petition to remove the condition during the 90 days before the card expires. The conditional card cannot be renewed. The conditions must be removed, or permanent resident status can be lost. We have experience with complications in RCS cases like:

• Waivers to joint filings for battered or abused spouses, divorced spouses, and those who would suffer extreme hardship

• Late filings of RCS

• Motions to Reopen or Reconsider Denied cases

• Refiling of denied cases

Family Based Petition

Family Based Petitions are based on the family relationship between either the US Citizen (USC) or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and a qualifying family member like a parent or spouse. These are affirmative petitions that the USC or LPR files on behalf of the qualifying relative; therefore it is not an automatic process. We have experience with complications in Family Based cases like:

• I-601/ I-601A, I-212, I-212(h) Waivers

• Motions to Reopen (MTR)

• Recapturing Priority Dates

• Quilantan entries

• CSPA Protections

• 245i Protections and complications

• Complications because of criminal charges or convictions

U Non Immigrant Status “U Visa”

If you have been the victim of a crime- you might qualify for a lawful immigration status in the United States known as the “U Visa” (U Non Immigrant Status). We have experience with complications in U Visa cases like:

• Previous I-918B Certification denials

• Criminal charges or convictions

• Complicated I-192 Waivers

• Previous Deportations

• Motions to Reopen (MTR)

Violence Against Women Act VAWA

Certain spouses, children, and parents abused by certain US Citizen (USC) or Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs), can present a petition for an immigrant visa under the INA VAWA protections without the knowledge or participation of the abuser. VAWA is not limited to women and is equally available to men. We have experience with complications in VAWA cases like:

• Minimal or no evidence of physical abuse (no police report).

• Waivers for multiple exits and entries into the United States

• Criminal charges or convictions

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status SIJS

Juveniles under the ages of 18 or 21, depending on their circumstances, who are present in the United States and need the protection of a juvenile court because they have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, may possibly qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). If they receive SIJS classifications they may be able to qualify for LPR status. We have experience requesting the Juvenile Court Orders in California which is a requirement for the application process with USCIS.

Criminal Defense and Post Conviction Relief

We have experience representing clients both in front of immigration judges and adjudicators, but also in criminal court, as criminal convictions, like DUIs, drug charges, domestic violence, petty theft, and many others, can have serious consequences for immigration benefits.

Similarly, we have experience with post conviction relief options that are available for already existing convictions including: Expungements (PC 1203.4), Plea Withdrawal After DEJ (PC1203.43), Motion to Vacate a Conviction or Sentence (PC 1473.7).