Tustin Immigration Lawyer

For non-U.S. citizens residing in Tustin and foreign nationals looking to come to the area, traversing the complexities of the U.S. immigration system can be overwhelming and discouraging. Thankfully, a skilled Tustin immigration lawyer from U.S. Law Center has the experience and knowledge to support individuals with their immigration cases. We can fight hard to represent their rights and interests.

At U.S. Law Center, our skilled immigration legal team has combined decades of experience in successfully representing our clients who face issues with immigration law. You might be facing a deportation or removal order. Perhaps you would like to explore which work-based visa options may optimally fit your situation. In any immigration situation, a skilled professional from our firm can guide you through the relevant processes.

New Immigration Laws and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) into law. The law makes major changes to federal immigration and benefits programs that will traumatize communities for years. OBBBA increases or creates many new fees for immigration applications, making them unaffordable for many:

• Asylum fees now include a non-waivable $100 fee plus $100 per year while pending.
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications carry a $250 fee.
• Border crossing without authorization adds a $5,000 minimum penalty.
• Fees for work authorization, parole, Temporary Protected Status, visa issuance, and immigration court proceedings have all increased.
• There is now a new $5,000 fee for deportation in absentia.

Waivers for these fees have been removed for many humanitarian cases.

A Breakdown of Services Offered by U.S. Law Center in Tustin

Our experienced legal team can support a variety of matters, ranging from citizenship and naturalization to green card applications. Whether you’re just getting started or far along in your immigration case, we can help you traverse the complex U.S. immigration system

If you or a loved one wants to obtain a green card, we can determine eligibility for family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian-based green cards, along with other options that may be available for you. For individuals looking to work, study, or visit the U.S. for a short time, a nonimmigrant visa may be ideal.

We can support both applicants and sponsors alike with pursuing visas, ranging from H-1B to F-1 to J-1. These types of cases are typically handled at the Santa Ana Immigration Court, located at 1241 East Dyer Road in Santa Ana.

While becoming a U.S. citizen is a highly exciting achievement for individuals, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety. A skilled attorney from our firm can break this process into actionable steps, giving you control over the situation as we work to optimize outcomes.

If you or a loved one has received a Notice to Appear or been obtained by ICE, the compassionate immigration team at U.S. Law Center understands just how intimidating this can be. We can develop a strong defense strategy on your behalf, pursuing options like asylum and other humanitarian relief protections.

ICE Raids and New Deportation Measures

OBBBA provides $45 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrant adults and families through September 30, 2029. This more than quadruples ICE’s annual detention budget.

The law allows family detention and even indefinite detention of children, violating the Flores Settlement Agreement, which limits how long migrant children can be held.

The law also gives $32 billion for immigration enforcement and deportations. This includes expedited removal processes, the 287(g) program allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, and processing asylum claims outside the U.S., such as through the Remain in Mexico program.

How OBBBA Affects Children

The law also targets children by:

• Allowing long-term or indefinite detention of children
• Authorizing intrusive physical exams to search for gang-related markings on children without limits on age
• Funding extreme vetting of potential child sponsors and household members
• Allowing children to be forced into rapid deportation without a court hearing or a lawyer.

Orange County Supervisors are now taking steps to protect children whose parents might face deportation. This comes as the federal government has promised to increase deportations and target sanctuary states like California. The sanctuary law prevents local law enforcement from acting on ICE detainer requests unless a person has been convicted of certain serious crimes.

A recent poll released by UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology found that 89% of Orange County residents want some change to current immigration policies. About 60% believe undocumented immigrants should be given a path to legal status.

How Healthcare and Nutrition Assistance for Immigrants Is Affected by OBBBA

OBBBA also restricts health care and nutrition benefits. Only green card holders, certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people from Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands remain eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, SNAP, and ACA premium tax credits.

Refugees, asylum recipients, survivors of trafficking or domestic violence, TPS holders, and valid visa holders lose access to these benefits.

These changes take effect at various stages:

• SNAP restrictions are effective immediately as of 2025.
• Medicaid and CHIP changes take effect October 1, 2026.
• Medicare changes are immediate, as of 2025, but current enrollees may remain covered for 18 months.
• ACA premium tax credit changes take effect December 31, 2025, or 2026, depending on income.
• Emergency Medicaid reimbursement rates for states are reduced.

With 31.4% of Tustin residents being foreign-born as of 2022, this bill will have widespread negative impacts.

Why Working With a Tustin Immigration Lawyer Is Key

While many individuals believe that managing their immigration challenges on their own can save money, this is often not the case. People who do not have a legal background in immigration law can find themselves stuck for hours trying to decipher complex legal jargon. Furthermore, this country’s complex processes are constantly in flux due to its ever-evolving immigration policy.

Even when individuals finally figure out how to submit their applications or initiate an immigration process, they can face significant ramifications from seemingly minor errors. Failing to accurately submit documentation with supporting evidence can lead to costly delays, rejections, and even negative criminal or immigration consequences.

It’s important to hire an immigration lawyer to help you with your case. They can leverage their up-to-date knowledge of immigration policy and law to handle your case in compliance with current rules and regulations.

They can also assist in filling out accurate and robust applications or making strong legal arguments. From fiercely advocating on your behalf in court to helping you avoid insufficient applications that can jeopardize your case, a Tustin immigration lawyer can address your challenges.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Visa and a Green Card?

A nonimmigrant visa is a type of legal immigration document. It gives a person permission to enter the United States temporarily for certain purposes, like study, tourism, or work. A green card is a type of immigrant visa that gives individuals permission to live and work on a permanent basis in the U.S. A skilled immigration lawyer in Tustin can determine which may be optimal for your case.

Can an Immigration Lawyer Help With an Expedited Visa or Green Card Process?

An immigration lawyer can help you expedite a visa or green card process in specific cases, which may involve the nation’s interests, cases of emergency, or humanitarian-based issues. They can evaluate your case to determine whether you are eligible for an expedited immigration process. If so, they can assist you with collecting, filling out, and filing all the required documentation with the relevant government agency to achieve this.

What Should I Do If I Receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) for Removal Proceedings?

If you receive a Notice to Appear for removal proceedings, it’s crucial to get in touch with an experienced California immigration lawyer as soon as possible. A Notice to Appear means that your case has gone to removal proceedings with the immigration courts, and you will be required to mount a strong defense to protect your right to stay. A skilled attorney can go over the details of your case and explore your legal options for relief.

Can I Work While My Immigration Application Is Pending?

Whether you can apply for an Employment Authorization Document while your immigration application is pending is dependent on the type of immigration status you’re applying for. A skilled immigration lawyer can determine whether you’re eligible to apply for work authorization, depending on your application type. If so, they can help you successfully navigate the application process. They can also advise you on strategies to maintain compliance.

How Do I Schedule a Consultation With a California Immigration Lawyer?

Scheduling a consultation with a California immigration lawyer can typically be done by contacting the attorney’s law firm through an online firm or directly by phone. During the consultation meeting, the attorney can go over the details of your case, address any pressing concerns you may have, and explain which legal options may be available.

A consultation is a great opportunity to learn whether that lawyer is right for your case.

Hire an Immigration Lawyer Today

Whether your loved one has been detained by ICE or you are looking to adjust your status in Tustin, a skilled Tustin immigration lawyer can provide you with the legal support required to advance your case. Our compassionate legal team employs a client-centered approach, working to deeply understand your needs, concerns, and challenges. Together, we can implement robust legal solutions. Contact us today to get started.