FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION

We represent clients who would like to sponsor their relative to become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.  U.S. citizens may apply for their spouses, parents, and children, including married sons and daughters. Lawful permanent residents may apply for their spouses and unmarried children. 

 We are proud to represent people who are seeking asylum in the U.S. because they are afraid to return to their country. We represent those applying for asylum with the CIS as well as those who are applying for asylum in Immigration Court.  

We represent clients who are in removal or deportation proceedings both in Immigration Court and, for appeals, with the Board of Immigration Appeals as well as matters in the U.S. District Court of Oregon and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

 We help individuals realize the American dream of U.S. citizenship.  You might already be a U.S. citizen and not even know it!  

 We represent clients, both employers and prospective employees, applying for permanent residence status through their employment. There are several categories of persons who qualify for employment-based applications.

• EB1: Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. 

• EB2: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees, or Persons of Exceptional Ability in the Arts, Sciences, or Business 

• EB3: Skilled Workers, Professionals Holding Baccalaureate Degrees and Other Workers

• EB4: Special Immigrants Applicants must be the beneficiary of an approved I-360, Petition for Special Immigrant, except overseas employees of the U.S. Government. 

• EB5: Employment Creation Investors

There are many types of non-immigrant visas available. Visas may be available to come to the U.S. to work, attend a university, or just to visit.

• H-1B: H-1B Visas are for those who wish to come to the U.S. temporarily to work in a specialty occupations or as a fashion model. 

• Student Visas : There are several types of non-immigrant student visas including the F, J, and M Visas.

• F-1: Students may apply to come to study in the U.S. under the F-1 Visa category. 

• J-1 Waiver Applications: Some students who come to the U.S. on J-1 Visas are subject to a two-year home residency requirement after they complete their program. Some students may be able to apply for a waiver of that requirement if they wish to change or adjust their status in the U.S.

• Artists and Athletes: The O Visa is available to those who wish to come to the U.S. temporarily who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. 

The K-1 Visa is available to fiancées of U.S. citizens who are coming to the United States to get married within 90 days of arrival. The K-2 Visa is available to the children under 21 of the fiancée..

One section of this law allows for certain citizens/nationals of Guatemala, El Salvador, and some eastern European countries who entered the U.S. and filed asylum applications by a certain date and who have been continuously residing in the U.S. for at least seven years to apply for permanent residence in the U.S. 

Each year the Department of State holds a lottery and randomly selects applicants from the qualified entries who are then eligible to apply for permanent residence status in the U.S. The Diversity Visa Lottery Program is open to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. The Department of State usually accepts entries for the lottery during the month of October each year. 

 There are various waivers that applicants for permanent residence may need to apply for with the CIS or the Immigration Court.  Waivers may be needed for criminal convictions, unlawful presence or for previous immigration violations. 

 Parents may apply for adopted children to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. The process differs depending on whether the child adopted is classified as an orphan or not. 

 Under the Violence Against Women Act, abused spouses and children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may be able to petition for themselves to become legal in the U.S. and not have to rely on the abusive spouse or parent to apply for them. 

Temporary Protected Status is available to citizens and nationals of countries that the U.S. government lists as countries whose residents may be temporarily unable to return to because of armed conflict, environmental disasters, or some other extraordinary condition. If granted TPS, the person will be allowed to live and work in the U.S. for the period designated by the U.S. government.