Immigration Lawyers Serving the Houston Area

Types of Cases The Firm Handles

When you are dealing with serious immigration matters, you can speak with Houston immigration attorneys to help you with any of the following immigration matters.

Criminal Immigration

When criminal law and immigration law overlap, the end result is one of the most complex areas of law imaginable. Criminal convictions are serious enough on their own, but immigrants who face criminal convictions could be punished with severe consequences, including deportation. Successful criminal immigration cases demand the attention of a lawyer who is well versed in both areas of criminal defense and immigration law.

Deportation Defense

Numerous actions such as criminal offenses, immigration violations, or homeland security crimes can trigger deportation proceedings. Committing any of these crimes and being convicted of them could lead to deportation, causing families to be separated forever. Speaking to our attorneys can help you build a strong defense and avoid deportation.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) protects certain immigrants who came to the United States as children. Individuals who meet the requirements of DACA can request deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, enabling these individuals to work lawfully. DACA does not guarantee citizenship but does protect individuals from removal or deportation due to their low level of threat to homeland security.

Immigration Reform

The Immigration Reform Bill of 2013, proposed by President Obama to the Senate, could potentially improve the broken and complex immigration system. The bill proposes that a reformed immigration system is needed, and one that is fair and effective can transform the United States' economy, nationalism, and cultural diversity. The plan requires anyone who is an undocumented worker to begin paying taxes, learning English, undergo background checks, and earn citizenship.

Naturalization

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can pursue U.S. citizenship after they have resided permanently in the U.S. for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. The naturalization process involves an interview, as well as several tests, including an English test and a civics test. Naturalization requires lots of paperwork and forms, so seeking help from our attorneys at the firm could greatly reduce the time it takes to complete the process.

Residency / Green Card

Lawful permanent residents are granted a green card, or a document that authorizes permanent residence and grants immigrants the right to work and live in the United States lawfully. The process of obtaining a green card could be extremely competitive, and the government has even tried to lessen the load of green card requests by issuing a green card lottery, through which 55,000 green cards are rewarded to immigrants across the nation at random.

Visas

Immigrants visiting the United States for an extended or permanent duration will often require a visa. Variations in the details of a requested visa - from duration to permitted territories - can make the entire procedure seem like an overly complicated headache to most people. Furthermore, interviews and multiple fees may be included in the process. Weeks of time may be saved if the individual hires an immigration law attorney before applying for a visa.

Waivers

There are many types of waivers involved in immigration law. If immigrants find themselves ineligible for a visa, they can apply for a waiver to attain a visa. Other waivers include provisional unlawful presence waivers, which allow individuals to wait in the U.S. while their application for permanent residence is being decided at the consulate. Individuals who have been in the U.S. for more than 180 days of unlawful presence must obtain a waiver of inadmissibility to avoid any legal repercussions.