Costa Mesa Immigration Lawyer

Whether it’s for work, school, or the opportunity to give their family a new life, thousands of people make the decision to immigrate to the United States every year. However, anyone that is not a citizen of the U.S. must follow strict procedures in order to enter the country legally. There are both federal and state immigration laws in California that detail the rights of immigrants and how they can enter the country. To avoid any potential problems and help your immigration process as smoothly as possible in Costa Mesa, CA, discuss your goals with U.S. Law Center.

An Immigration Firm Devoted to You

Founded on the goal of helping anyone achieve their immigration goals, our team at U.S. Law Center focuses on providing assistance, representation, and guidance for those dealing with immigration law. Our firm offers legal services in a collection of areas, ranging from green card application assistance to criminal defense for immigrants. With years of practice in the field, our staff at U.S. Law Center works together to help immigrants live their lives comfortably. If you or a family member are searching for legal assistance regarding immigration law, reach out to U.S. Law Center for help.

Understanding Immigration Law

Whether you currently live in the U.S. and are using a visa or are considering moving your family here, it’s critical that you educate yourself on the different immigration laws in place. Unlike other states, California is one of the few states that has some of its own immigration laws. These laws give immigrants more rights than they may have in other states, especially when it comes to legal proceedings. In addition to California’s own laws, federal immigration law is filled with meticulous rules and regulations that must be followed closely. These rules apply to individuals who are looking to permanently move to the U.S. or temporarily reside here for work or school.

How Can Our Immigration Firm Help You?

Immigration law deals with all legal cases that involve immigrants or issues with their residency. At U.S. Law Center, we offer representation and guidance in an extensive range of immigration areas. The following are just some of the immigration services that we provide:

• Green Cards and Visas. Visas and green cards are important documents that allow immigrants to travel between countries and remain there for extended periods of time. A visa is most commonly used by individuals who are staying in the country temporarily, whereas green cards give a foreign citizen the right to remain in the country permanently. Our firm can assist you with applying for visas and green cards and assist you when issues come up.
• Adjustment of Status. If you are a visa holder and decide you want to live in the United States permanently, you can use the adjustment of status process to apply for a green card while still being able to stay in the country. To be eligible for the adjustment of status, you must already be present in the United States. To learn more about if you are able to adjust your current residential status, talk to our team for assistance.
• Asylum and Refugee Status. At U.S. Law Center, we provide empathetic support for individuals looking to apply for asylum in the United States. To be eligible for refugee status in the U.S., an individual must not be able to return to their home country due to persecution or a fear of persecution because of one or more of their characteristics. Every refugee begins as an asylum seeker but must apply for refugee status in the country they are seeking protection from.
• Deferred Entry of Dreamers. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, otherwise known as DACA, is a piece of legislation that allows certain people who were brought to the country unlawfully as children to be able to work in the United States and postpone specific deportation laws. DACA gives “dreamers” a renewable two-year period where they cannot be deported. The goal of DACA was to give individuals who have already spent most of their lives in the U.S. similar opportunities to citizens.
• Deportation and Removal. As an immigrant, deportation is one of the most frightening situations that you can experience. There are a variety of reasons that an individual or even an entire family can be deported, which is why it’s important to follow immigration law. If you or a loved one are facing deportation in Costa Mesa, reach out to U.S. Law Center for help as soon as possible.
• Criminal Immigration Defense. Immigrants are subject to the same punishments as American citizens when they commit crimes. However, they also face additional consequences when their offenses are severe. For example, when an immigrant commits an aggravated felony, they can face deportation and lose their right to return to the country. Certain drug crimes, firearm offenses, and domestic violence charges can also result in deportation. U.S. Law Center also offers criminal defense services for immigrants who need representation in Costa Mesa.
• Family Separation. Families from around the world frequently make the journey to start a new life in the United States. Unfortunately, the complexity of U.S. immigration law can present obstacles that make entering the country more challenging than a family may expect. In some situations, not all family members have the proper documents or are eligible to enter the country. When this happens, families can be separated at the border. It is essential that you hire legal representation when you can if family separation occurs during the immigration process.
• Illegal Entry After Deportation. When an individual is deported from the United States, they are legally not allowed to move back or even return to the country unless they receive explicit permission to do so. If a deported individual is found attempting to reenter the country or entered unlawfully, they can face extensive consequences. If you are being charged with unlawful presence in the U.S., you’ll need representation to defend yourself.

FAQs:

Q: What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?

A: Immigration attorneys are able to assist their clients in a wide range of situations. Your immigration lawyer can educate you on immigration law, represent you in court, help you understand your rights, and work for a solution that is helpful to your situation. At U.S. Law Center, we are able to use our knowledge and experience to help immigrants across California with their legal concerns.

Q: How Do You Apply To Become a Citizen?

A: All foreign citizens must go through the naturalization process in order to become a citizen of the United States. In order to become a citizen, you must meet multiple important requirements, including:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a lawful permanent resident
• Lived in the U.S. for at least five years continuously
• Have the basic skills to read, write, and speak in English
• Have a general understanding of United States government structures and history
• Have continuous residence after applying for naturalization

Q: Do You Have To Get a Green Card Renewed?

A: Green cards give foreign citizens the right to stay in the U.S. permanently to work and live. Generally, a green card is valid for a period of 10 years before the holder has to renew it. Keeping your green card updated is important in order for you to be able to prove that you are a legal resident in the U.S. If you are considered a conditional resident, however, your green card is only valid for two years and cannot be renewed. Instead, you’ll most likely have to apply for the 10-year version of the card.

Q: What Is a Student Visa?

A: A student visa is one type of visa that grants foreign citizens the right to live in the United States and attend school. Without a student visa, an individual cannot simply come into the country and apply for school. Generally, student visas last around five years but are most often valid for the duration of a student’s education. It’s crucial that all students keep their visas up-to-date to ensure they can lawfully live in the U.S. and continue their schooling.

Q: What Do You Do if You’re an Immigrant Who Was Arrested in California?

A: Being arrested is frightening and overwhelming. If you are an immigrant who has found yourself in trouble with the law, do not panic. Not every criminal offense results in deportation. Regardless of the offense that you were accused of, you need to make sure that you hire a criminal defense attorney who is familiar with immigration law. We can protect your rights and form a defense that suits your case.

Orange County Immigration Firm

Our staff at U.S. Law Center has aided countless immigrants in achieving their dreams and fighting potential legal problems. We work nonstop to ensure that immigrants are treated with respect and that their rights are recognized by the law. Whether you’d like to become a United States citizen or you received a deportation notice, you should always reach out to U.S. Law Center for your legal immigration needs. Contact our staff today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our Costa Mesa immigration services can assist you.