Riverside Family Immigration Lawyer

In 2025, the Trump administration made immigration extremely challenging. Trying to navigate the United States immigration laws by yourself can be nearly impossible. It’s important to work with a compassionate Riverside family immigration lawyer to help you understand your rights.

Hire a Family Immigration Lawyer

In a country born from stolen land, no human should be considered illegal. Unfortunately, the United States has complex and confusing laws regarding immigration. These laws have been made more complex by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025. Getting the right legal support is essential as you navigate U.S. immigration laws.

At U.S. Law Center, our immigration team understands that empathic lawyers are needed now more than ever before. Founding attorney Sanjay Sobti has dedicated his professional life to helping those facing harsh immigration laws. Our team has decades of experience in immigration cases and can help you protect yourself and your family.

The Negative Effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4, 2025, Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. This law gives $45 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrant adults and families through 2029. This is more than four times the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention budget. It allows family detention, including indefinite detention of children. This violates the current law that limits how long children can be held in detention.

The law also increases fees for immigration processes:

• Asylum seekers must pay at least $100 upfront and $100 per year while their application is pending.
• Crossing the border without authorization now has a minimum $5,000 fee.
• Visa issuance fees are $250.
• Immigration court processing fees range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the type of application or appeal.

This law was explained to prevent criminal activity, but if this were truly the case, these laws would not be affecting children or requiring exorbitant prices for immigrants. It’s also very telling that this bill only targets “immigrant criminals” instead of targeting all crime within the United States, even by U.S. citizens.

As of 2022, California was the top state with children under 18 years old living with immigrant parents, with 3.7 million children. When a parent’s immigration status is threatened, it can have devastating effects on the entire family. If you or your family has been affected by this bill, it’s important to hire a family immigration lawyer to help you understand what options are available to you. Put our knowledge and experience on your side.

Adjustment of Status

Adjustment of status is the process of applying for a green card without leaving the United States. If you are already in the country, you can apply through this process instead of returning to your home country for processing. Immigration cases in Riverside are typically overseen by the Imperial Immigration Court, located at 2409 La Brucherie Road in Imperial.

You’ll need to look over what categories you may be eligible for. Some individuals can qualify through an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. This can include a citizen who is a:

• Spouse
• Unmarried child under 21 years old
• Unmarried adult children
• Married children
• Siblings of a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older.
• Lawful permanent resident
• Fiancé of a U.S. citizen
• Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen

There were 473,464 applications in fiscal year 2024 for adjustment of status through family visas.

After filing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an appointment will be scheduled to get your fingerprints, a photo, and a signature. Some applicants must also attend an interview with USCIS to answer questions under oath. You’ll also have to provide original documents of passports and official travel documents.

USCIS then sends you a written decision on your application. If approved, you’ll get an approval notice followed by your green card. If denied, the notice will explain why and whether you can file a motion to reconsider.

Consular Processing

Consular processing happens when you apply for a green card while you are beyond the U.S. You can apply for your immigrant visa at a U.S. Department of State consulate. Family visas are one of the more common methods for becoming a legal permanent resident through consular processing.

The USCIS received 981,202 filings of Form I-130, petition for alien relative, in fiscal year 2024. After someone else files a family-based immigration petition for you, the USCIS will determine whether to allow or deny the petition. If it is approved, then the petition is sent to the National Visa Center. If your petition is denied, you may be able to appeal the decision.

Unlike other visa types, there is no limit on family-based visas. Eventually, an appointment is made with the consular office. This interview determines whether your visa will be granted.

Choosing Between Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing

Often, families do not choose how they are able to navigate the family-based visa petition, as it depends on whether they are present in the U.S. or not, and whether that presence is legal. However, if your family does have the option to choose, there are several things to consider.

It’s important to evaluate the following when determining if consular processing or adjustment of status is the right option for your family:

• Whether you lawfully entered the U.S., and/or whether you overstayed a lawful entry
• You and your family’s prior immigration history
• Any prior immigration court order or USCIS denials
• The risks you and your family could face if you leave the U.S., including potentially being barred from reentry

There are several concerns for families during this process, including traveling between countries, getting the timing of immigrant petitions and travel right, where the interview takes place, and the separation of families. It is hard to determine the right option for your family and your unique circumstances.

When you work with a skilled family immigration attorney, they assess you and your family’s unique circumstances to determine the ideal strategy. Each family’s situation is unique, so your immigration strategy needs to be tailored to your life.

Hire a Family Immigration Lawyer

About 27.3% of California residents are foreign-born. Despite immigration being a backbone of the U.S. and its history, the current legislature makes it incredibly difficult for immigrants to continue their lives here.

Families that immigrate have a lot to worry about, and it’s important that you don’t do it alone. The team at U.S. Law Center is ready to take on your unique case. We don’t treat our clients as just another case number. Immigration cases affect every aspect of your and your loved ones’ lives. They deserve to be treated with the care and severity they require.

FAQs

Q: How Does the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affect Health Care and Nutrition Assistance for Immigrants?

A: OBBBA removes health and nutrition assistance for many. Only green card holders and certain other residents remain eligible for Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Affordable Care Act tax credits. Asylum seekers, violence/trafficking survivors, Temporary Protected Status holders, and most valid visa holders lose eligibility. Medicare and SNAP changes took effect immediately in 2025. Medicaid and CHIP changes begin late 2026.

Q: What Is the Immigration Process Like for Asylum-Seekers?

A: The immigration process for asylum-seekers can be complex. To apply, you must file Form I-589 within one year of arriving in the United States. If you are granted asylum, you can file a petition for your spouse and children to come to the United States within two years. After one year of being granted asylum, you may apply for a green card.

Q: What Is Self-Deportation?

A: Self-deportation is a process to avoid being deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. They arrest, detain, and remove people who are in the country undocumented. You do not have to wait for ICE to arrest you. You can leave the country on your own. Doing so allows you to organize your affairs and say goodbye to loved ones. Unfortunately, this option often isn’t available to noncitizens, especially when immigrating was a person’s last option.

Q: What Is the Deportation Process Like?

A: If ICE arrests you instead of self-deporting, you could be detained for months while waiting for removal proceedings. Arrested individuals are usually removed from the United States. Because families and children can be detained indefinitely, this option can have traumatic effects. Removal can also bar reentry for three years, ten years, or permanently. If you are detained or are facing removal proceedings, you need to get the help of a skilled immigration attorney.

Riverside Family Immigration Lawyer

The team at U.S. Law Center understands how traumatic immigration cases can be for families. The government has made it clear that they’re not on your side. Having a lawyer ready to protect your rights could be key to your case.

U.S. Law Center serves those in Riverside and the surrounding areas who need help making informed choices about their futures. We bring you compassionate and thorough legal guidance to help your family through your immigration journey. Contact our team today to schedule your first appointment.