Riverside Immigration Lawyer

Immigrating to the U.S. can be an immensely difficult process, as can obtaining your desired immigration status. Whatever immigration-related issue you’re facing, a Riverside immigration lawyer can provide you with crucial clarity, guidance, and advocacy.

Riverside immigration attorneys at our Southern California immigration law firm, U.S. Law Center, practice globally, representing corporations, small businesses, families and individuals in immigrant and visitor visa applications, naturalization, deportation defense and other immigration issues. We attribute our attorneys’ successful practice to their thorough understanding of current and evolving U.S. immigration law and their commitment to our clients’ interests. Below are brief summaries of some of our immigration services.

If you would like to speak to one of our Riverside, CA, immigration law attorneys, please contact us to arrange a free consultation at our Riverside County office. We handle immigration matters in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Ana, San Jose and San Bernardino, throughout Southern California and nationwide.

Immigration Services For Employers

From offices in Corona, our attorneys travel throughout the United States, assisting employers and recruiters with a full range of immigration processing and placement services. Our lawyers have devised successful U.S. immigration strategies for employees ranging from CEOs to foreign national college graduates.

We handle nonimmigrant work visas and employment residency matters relating to:

• Canada and Mexico TN visas
• Educational and cultural exchange programs J-1 visas/Q visas
• Extraordinary ability O-1 visas
• Intracompany transferee L visas
• Professional H-1B and H-1B1 visas
• Religious worker R-1 visas
• Treaty trader E-1 visas
• Investor E-2 visas
• Agricultural worker H-2A visas
• Nonagricultural worker H-2B visas
• Artist and athlete P-1 visas
• Athletes and entertainers P-2, P-3 visas
• Trainee H-3 visas
• Entertainment support O-2 visas
• Employment-based residency

Immigration Services For Individuals And Families in Riverside, CA

Our Riverside immigration attorneys take great satisfaction in participating in family reunification. We assist U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in sponsoring family members through applications for fiancé/fiancée K-1 visas, nonimmigrant K-3 and immigrant spousal visas IR1/CR1, and visas for siblings, parents and children.

We also handle a wide range of other individual immigration matters, including those that involve:

• Green cards and visas
• Student visas (F-1, J-1, M-1)
• Asylum and refugee status
• Citizenship and naturalization
• Deferred entry for dreamers
• Visas for spouses and children of nonimmigrant work visa holders
• Appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
• Deportation and removal proceedings
• What to do if picked up by immigration
• Prosecutorial discretion
• The new waiver policy

How Do Criminal Charges Impact Immigration?

If you are not an active United States citizen but rather in the country with a green card, work permit, or other type of visa, a criminal conviction can impact your immigration status. The impact will vary based on the type of crime and its severity. Still, any criminal conviction can lead to consequences that could disrupt the quality of your time in the United States, even if you are a lawful permanent resident.

Some of the ways a criminal conviction can impact your immigration status include:

• Inadmissibility: A person convicted of a crime may be found inadmissible to the United States. This means they are not allowed to enter the country or receive a green card. This consequence is often reserved for more severe crimes, giving the country more reason to believe that the person may pose a permanent or temporary threat to public safety.
• Deportation: A conviction can lead to a person being deported from the United States. Deportation is a formal process in which an individual is removed from the country and may be barred from returning. The person will usually be given a hearing before an immigration judge to determine if they should be deported. If the judge finds that they should be deported, they will be given a specific amount of time to leave the country and may be barred from returning for a certain period.
• Loss of Status: A conviction can lead to a loss of legal status. This means that a person may no longer be able to maintain their status, such as a student visa or green card. A person may also be ineligible for certain benefits, such as welfare or food stamps, as a further deterrent to crime.
• Jail Time: A conviction can result in a person being sent to jail. This is especially true if the conviction is for a serious crime where the act was so egregious that it was not safe for them to have open access to society. Often, while they serve their jail sentence, they will also be facing deportation proceedings that will be completed after they are released.
• Probation: A conviction can lead to a person being placed on probation. This is a period of time during which a person is supervised by the government and must follow certain rules. The rules are typically designed to rehabilitate the person and help them avoid future criminal activity. If a person on probation violates any of the terms, they may be subject to additional penalties, such as jail time.
• Fines: A conviction can result in a person being required to pay fines. These can be significant, especially if the conviction is for a serious crime that warrants a high fine. Often, the fine amount is based on the severity of the crime and any damages that were caused.

As you can see, a criminal conviction can have a major impact on a person’s immigration status by making them inadmissible, deportable, or subject to other consequences. If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to speak with experienced immigration attorneys who can help you understand how the charges may impact your status and what you can do to protect your rights.

Understanding Family-Based Visas in the United States

Family-based visas are for foreign nationals who are attempting to relocate so that they can live in the United States with a family member who is a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. In order for a person to lawfully relocate to permanently live in the United States, they must submit an application for an immigrant visa from their country of origin.

In order to be eligible for a family-based immigration visa, the foreign applicant will need a sponsor. This sponsor must be of 21 years or older and have either a green card or U.S. citizenship. The rate at which an immigration visa is processed is dependent on the type of family-based immigrant visa that is applied for. There are two types of such visas:

• Immediate Relative Visas. These visas are for applicants who are close family members of U.S. citizens, including parents, children, or spouses. There is no cap on the number of people who can receive this kind of visa each year.
• Family Preference Visas. These types of visas are for applicants who are more distantly related to U.S. citizens or, in some cases, depending on the relationship, lawful permanent residents. There is a cap on the number of these visas that can be given out each year.

It is possible for U.S. citizens to submit a petition for an immigrant visa for a child, sibling, parent, or spouse. U.S. lawful permanent residents, on the other hand, can only file for their spouses and their children who are unmarried. It’s important to note that an immediate relative visa has a much shorter wait time of roughly five to 12 months, while a family preference visa can take years to finally be granted.

If you are unsure about your eligibility requirements when it comes to reuniting with your family in Riverside, California, an experienced immigration lawyer from U.S. Law Center can analyze the details of your case and inform you about your options. They can make sure that your application is properly submitted with adequate supporting evidence and actively communicate with USCIS in order to ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible.

What Is Family Reunification in Riverside, California?

Family reunification is an option that individuals who have been granted asylum status or refugee status in the United States can leverage to petition for their immediate relatives to join them. The family reunification process can be initiated through the I-730 Process or the Priority Direct Access Program.

Depending on the applicant’s legal status and the process they choose to initiate, they may be eligible to be reunited with their spouse, their unmarried children under the age of 21, and their parents. While not required, it is advised to have legal representation throughout these processes.

Qualities That Make the Best Riverside Immigration Attorney

When it comes to finding an immigration lawyer in California, the mixture of nerves and anxiety can sometimes make the process feel insurmountable. However, with the right knowledge and questions, the process can be much less daunting.

There are a few key qualities to look for when searching for an immigration lawyer in Riverside, CA. There are a few key traits that you should look for in the attorney at your Riverside immigration office:

Experience: Look for an immigration lawyer with experience with the type of case you have. While all immigration lawyers have experience with the basics of immigration law, every kind of case requires specific knowledge. For example, if you seek asylum, you will want to find a lawyer with experience with asylum cases. The same is true for other types of subjects, such as family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, or investment-based immigration.

Knowledge: In addition to experience, you will also want to find an immigration lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law and how it works with immigrants and citizens. There is a direct connection between how much a lawyer knows about the law and how successful they will be in their practice. A good way to gauge a lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them questions about your case and seeing how they respond. If they seem unsure of themselves or are unable to answer your questions, it may be a sign that they are not as knowledgeable as you would like them to be.

Communication: It is important to find an immigration lawyer who you feel comfortable communicating with. This means that they should be able to answer your questions in a way that you can understand and should be up to date on the latest changes in immigration law. They should also be responsive to your phone calls and emails. If you have to wait days or even weeks for a response, it may be a sign that the lawyer is not as responsive as you need them to be.

Reputation: You will want to find an immigration lawyer with a good reputation. This can be gauged by talking to other immigrants who have used their services, reading online reviews, or speaking with other lawyers who have worked with them. A lawyer’s reputation is important because it can give you an idea of what to expect from their services.

Empathy: Finally, you will want to find an immigration lawyer who is empathetic to your situation. This does not mean that they need to be a friend, but they should be someone who understands the emotional toll that the immigration process can take. They must be able to provide you with support and guidance throughout the process. They should also be someone you feel comfortable confiding in about difficult conversations that may arise as your case progresses.

FAQs About Riverside, CA Immigration Laws

Q: Can an Immigration Lawyer Speed Up the Process?

A: Riverside immigration lawyers can help ensure that your case is processed as quickly as possible. They can do this by ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is filed and by keeping in communication with all legal stakeholders. They will not be able to bypass any steps in the process, but they can advance your case faster than if you decided to self-represent.

Q: How Do I Prepare for an Immigration Lawyer Consultation?

A: The best way to prepare for an immigration lawyer consultation is to take a personal assessment of how complex your case is and what you hope to achieve with legal assistance. Then, make a list of questions that you want to ask the lawyer during your consultation so that you can get a sense of their experience and expertise. Finally, be prepared to discuss your budget for legal services so that the lawyer can provide you with an accurate estimate of their fees.

Q: What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?

A: Immigration lawyers help immigrants with the legal process of immigrating to the United States. This includes helping them with paperwork, preparing for interviews, and representing them in court. Immigration lawyers can also help with other legal matters, such as naturalization and citizenship. They are experts on immigration law and procedure and can offer invaluable guidance to immigrants who are seeking to navigate the complex legal system.

Q: What Do Immigration Lawyers Charge?

A: Immigration lawyers typically charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $100 to $400 per hour. Some may also charge a flat fee for specific services, such as preparing and filing an application for citizenship. It is important to ask about fees upfront so that there are no surprises later. If money is a concern, there may be options for pro bono or reduced-fee services that will help secure the support you need with budget-friendly options.

Q: What Are the Risks of Self-Representing My Immigration Case?

A: Self-representing in any legal matter, but especially in immigration law, can be risky. This is because the immigration system is complex and ever-changing, which can make it difficult for laypeople to understand the intricacies of the law and ensure that they operate under the most current procedures. Without the help of an immigration lawyer, you may miss key deadlines, fail to submit required documentation, or make other mistakes that could jeopardize your case.

Q: What Is the U.S. Resettlement Program?

A: The United States Resettlement Program is a critical benefit offered by the United States to refugees who are residing in another country. Through the resettlement program, individuals can apply from abroad to be resettled in the United States and granted lawful permanent residence. Historically, the United States tends to resettle more refugees than any other country. In contrast, those who apply for asylum do so at entry points to the U.S., or after already being inside of the country.

Q: Where Do the Majority of Refugees in the United States Come From?

A: The countries and geographic regions that refugees who are living in the United States come from vary depending on the year in question, the geopolitical situation, and the presiding government. For example, in the first eight months of 2023, most refugees came from the African region (43%), while in 2012, most admitted refugees came from the Middle East and South Asia (52%). In 2023, the majority of refugees were accepted from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Q: Are Immigration Consultants Legal in the State of California?

A: In California, the only people who are authorized to give legal advice are lawyers who are licensed to practice law in California state or federal court. Furthermore, the only lawyers who can represent clients in immigration court are those who have received accreditation from the immigration court.

It is unlawful for non-legal professionals, such as paralegals or notaries public, to give legal advice. An immigration consultant is only authorized to provide non-legal help, such as translating forms and submitting forms that you have filled out.

Q: How Much Does a U.S. Immigration Lawyer Cost?

A: The cost of a United States immigration lawyer depends on varying factors, including the location of the firm, the amount of experience that the lawyer has, the field the lawyer is working in, and the complexity of your situation. While assistance with filing basic paperwork and applications for a visa or green card can cost hundreds of dollars, a business that is hiring a law firm for assistance with hiring international employees may need to pay tens of thousands of dollars.

Q: Do Immigrants Have Rights in California?

A: It is critical to note that all citizens of the United States have the same rights, regardless of whether or not they have an immigrant background. In California, all immigrants, despite their immigration status or their papers, have certain rights related to non-discrimination, freedom of speech and expression, labor, access to housing and education, as well as certain benefits such as emergency healthcare.

If you suspect that you are being discriminated against based on your immigration status, it is important to contact an immigration lawyer.

Work With a Riverside Immigration Lawyer & Law Firm

Building your American dream in Riverside, California, is possible, but the road to get there can be complex and lengthy. Therefore, it can be helpful to work with a U.S. immigration lawyer who is knowledgeable about California and federal immigration policy. They can help you understand which immigration pathways would be optimal for you and your family.

If you would like to speak with a Riverside immigration attorney about our immigration law practice, please email or call our Corona office at 866-665-1696 to arrange a free consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. Our fees are competitive and we accept credit cards. Se habla español. Our Southern California immigration lawyers serve individuals in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Ana, San Jose and San Bernardino.