Knowledgeable Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles
Securing a green card is an essential part of the U.S. immigration process. This is because it grants you the legal status and right to live and work in the United States permanently. There are several benefits attached to green card ownership or lawful permanent residency.
For instance, being a green card holder makes you eligible for government educational aid and other social benefits. You can also travel internationally freely and without restrictions. More importantly, becoming a green card holder sets you on the path to U.S. citizenship, which you can achieve within a few years.
Green cards are issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to those who are eligible and who have satisfied the necessary immigration law requirements. However, prospective green card applicants who may otherwise be eligible are often discouraged from applying due to the complex application procedure and constantly changing immigration regulations.
If you’re struggling to begin the green card application process, or you’ve applied before and faced several denials, it is time to change your approach. Getting professional help from an experienced immigration attorney might be the factor that could swing the odds of success in your favor.
Immigration lawyers are familiar with the relevant immigration law matters. They can assist you in the green card application process and help you find legal solutions when your application has been denied.
It is usually better to work with an immigration attorney close to you or your desired location if you’re outside the U.S. So, if you’re in Los Angeles, CA, or want to move there when your application is successful, a Los Angeles green card attorney or immigration law firm would likely serve your immigration needs better.
Learn more about the green card application process and specific ways L.A. green card lawyers can help you reach your immigration goals.
Who Is Eligible for a US Green Card?
U.S. green cards are only available to those within one of the designated eligibility green card categories. They include the following:
Family-Based Green Cards
Under U.S. immigration law, you are eligible for a green card if you’re an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, underage child, or parent (if the U.S. citizen is over 21). You also qualify for a family-based green card if you are related to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and you fall within one of the family-based preference categories.
Employment-Based Green Cards
Foreign nationals can become green card holders through employment in the U.S. if they have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer or otherwise qualify under the designated employee-based preference categories. The preference categories include:
- First preference (EB-1) – Priority Workers: This category includes non-citizens with extraordinary abilities in science, art, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; or certain multinational managers and executives.
- Second Preference (EB-2): This category includes foreign nationals with exceptional ability who are members of professions that require advanced degrees.
- Third Preference (EB-3): This category includes skilled workers and professionals.
- Fourth Preference (EB-4): This category includes special immigrants such as religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, members of the U.S. armed forces, and broadcasters.
- Fifth Preference (EB-5): This category consists of those who have invested or are in the process of investing $1,050,000 in a new business or $800,000 in a targeted employment sector or infrastructural project.
Other Green Card Eligibility Categories
Although the above green card eligibility categories are the most common, there are other pathways through which immigrants can obtain permanent resident status. You are eligible for green cards under these categories if you qualify as;
- An asylee or refugee
- A human trafficking and crime victim
- Victim of domestic abuse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- A lottery winner under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.
Determining your eligibility under any green card category is the first step toward obtaining a green card. If you’re unsure of your status, you can consult an experienced attorney to assess your qualifications.
The Green Card Application Process
The procedure for obtaining a green card varies depending on several factors, including the applicant’s location, whether they are applying from within or outside the U.S., and their green card category.
For example, green card applicants who gained entry into the U.S. via a temporary or non-immigrant visa would need to go through a process called adjustment of status before they can get their green cards. In contrast, those applying from outside the U.S. must go through consular processing at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.
Other variables could influence the green card application process, the documents you must submit during the application process, and the time it takes for your application to be processed. You can contact your immigration lawyer to clarify your case’s application procedure and requirements.
What Green Card Attorneys Do
Green card attorneys are immigration attorneys who can help you throughout the green card application process. The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney provide the following services:
- We can help you determine your eligibility for a green card under any of the green card eligibility categories. If you’re not eligible, our attorneys will advise you on other immigration options to help you enter, live, work, or study in the United States.
- We can guide you through the complicated green card application process, help complete immigration forms, and ensure your documents are in order. This could help you avoid application delays and denials due to incomplete documentation.
- With our knowledge of the USCIS and consular requirements, we can help you prepare for your immigrant visa interview to increase your chances of success.
- If your application is denied, your green card attorney might be able to get the immigration authorities to review your application and revise the previous decision.
Even though the outcome of U.S. immigration processes is uncertain, working with a skilled green card lawyer might be all you need to tip the scales in your favor.
How to Find a Green Card Attorney in L.A.
To find a Green Card attorney in Los Angeles, you can follow these steps:
1. Research Online
Start by conducting an online search for Green Card attorneys in Los Angeles. Use search engines like Google and include relevant keywords such as “Green Card attorney,” “immigration lawyer,” and “Los Angeles” in your search query. This will help you find law firms and individual attorneys specializing in immigration law.
2. Check for Reviews and Testimonials
When searching online for an immigration lawyer, look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients. This will give you an idea of the attorney’s level of expertise and success rate with green card cases.
3. Contact the Attorney
After you’ve narrowed down your list of potential attorneys, contact them for a consultation. This will allow you to discuss your situation, ask questions about the attorney’s services and fees, and decide if they fit your situation.
Contact an Experienced Immigration Lawyer Los Angeles
At the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we understand the importance of having a successful green card application process. That’s why our immigration attorneys are well-versed in U.S. immigration laws and are committed to providing personalized service in immigration matters such as family visas, employment-based visas, asylum and refugee applications, and green card applications.
We represent clients throughout the Los Angeles area with commitment and compassion. If you’d like to learn more about the green card application process or would like legal representation, contact us today for a free consultation. Our attorneys are available to answer your questions and help you navigate the U.S. immigration court system with ease. Let our Los Angeles immigration lawyer guide you through the complicated process of obtaining a green card.
