Family-Based Immigration
Applying for immigration benefits for a family member is often an intimidating, confusing, and frustrating experience. We can help you. Our attorneys and staff are experienced and familiar with the complex procedures involved in obtaining immigration benefits. We can assist you with the following:
- Preparing and filing a relative visa petition.
- Preparing and filing of adjustment of status applications.
- Preparation and filing of Affidavits of support.
- Preparing for “Stokes” interviews (a proceeding where the government conducts intense interviews with a married couple in an attempt to determine whether or not their marriage is a legitimate one, and whether a spouse is entitled to be granted an immigrant visa.
- Preparation and filing of application to remove condition on residency.
- Preparation and filing of fiancé /fiancée petitions for K-1 visa.
Naturalization and Citizenship
After someone obtains permanent residency, the next step is usually applying for U.S. citizenship. Our attorneys and support staff are experienced in guiding our clients through the naturalization process. We can assist you with the following:
- Preparation and filing an application for naturalization (paying special attention to those clients with a criminal history).
- Naturalization interviews
- Naturalization Appeals
- Derivative Citizenship
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, or C.A.T. (Convention Against Torture)
The immigration laws provide protection for individuals fleeing political persecution and violence in their homelands. If an individual can establish he or she has suffered past persecution, or a well-founded fear of future persecution, in their country of origin based upon:
- Race
- Nationality
- Religion
- Membership in a social group
- Political Opinion
Then, they may be eligible for political asylum, or other related forms of relief known as withholding of removal or relief under the Convention against Torture. This relief may even be available for those with criminal convictions. A grant of this type of relief will enable a person to continue to reside in the United States, and if granted asylum, the person may later apply to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Individuals who face persecution based upon their political activities, their support for, or membership in, a particular political party; their race or membership in a particular ethnic group; their religious beliefs or faith; their membership in a particular social group – including sexual orientation, may be eligible for political asylum.
A grant of political asylum is based upon our belief, as a nation, that it is inherently inhumane to deport a person back to a country where it is extremely unlikely they will face persecution or death. It is extremely important to remember that in most instances, with a few exceptions, a person seeking political asylum must apply for this relief within a year of entering the United States, or they may be statutorily barred from consideration for asylum. It is also important to remember that many criminal convictions may serve to bar a person from consideration for this relief, although they may still be eligible to apply for withholding of removal or relief under the Convention against Torture. Our office has been successful in handling political asylum cases for our clients and our attorneys are well-versed in asylum law. In removal proceedings, the applications are carefully prepared and documented to be presented to the Immigration Judge, and Mr. Terezakis extensive trial experience will ensure that the case is properly presented before the Court.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced a policy where certain individuals who arrived as children and met certain eligibility requirements could avoid deportation and allowed to stay in the United States. After two years, this policy is still in effect and many of those individuals are ready for renewal. Our office can help you prepare and file for renewal of DACA. It is not too late to still apply for this relief and you are welcome to speak to our attorneys to guide you through the eligibility requirements.
Deferred Action
Can be filed with the District Director in rare circumstances, and is a form of discretionary relief. This means that a person is not entitled to this form of relief and there is no statutory basis for this relief.
Parole requests
Under certain circumstances, a detained alien can be paroled from custody. Parole requests are usually filed for aliens who are deemed “arriving aliens.” However, these requests are done on a case-by-case basis.