Legal immigration help from caring immigration lawyers.
The immigration process is a complex web of law and fact, regularly used as a tool for earning coveted headlines and political points.
But the immigration lawyers at Consumer Justice Law Firm know that somewhere between politics and policy is a human being- driven by a desire for safety, connection or opportunity.
This is why we do everything we can to support your ability to live, work, and study where you belong. We help secure the right visas, assess the relevant facts, identify potential legal traps, and prepare you for every step.
The immigration process is a puzzle, and our immigration lawyers build your plan one logical, legal piece at a time.
In This Guide…
What is Immigration Law
Immigration law is an area of civil law that sets out the pathways for foreign nationals to live, work, reside, and study in the United States. A foreign national is anyone who is a citizen of another nation and not a citizen of the United States.
The key issues in Immigration law are set out in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), first passed in 1952 and amended over subsequent decades. While there is overlap among the types of issues covered under immigration law, it generally involves entry, visas, residency, citizenship, asylum and refugee status, and enforcement and removal proceedings.
Entry & Visas
Entry is the legal process by which a person is granted entry into the United States. Visas are a legal document that must be obtained before entry, which shows that the person has an authorized and approved reason to enter (a job offer, a student program, etc.)
- Entry applies to everyone who wants to enter the U.S. from another country, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, visa holders, travelers, etc.
- For non-U.S. citizens, entry does not always require a visa. Certain visitors are allowed to travel to the U.S. for short trips without obtaining a visa.
- Entry typically involves an inspection process carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
Pathways to Residency & Citizenship
This area of immigration law specifically addresses the process and steps necessary to obtain legal permission to remain in the U.S. long-term. It includes identifying the best channels, applying for visas, establishing residency, and attaining citizenship (a process called Naturalization).
Asylum & Refugee Status
This area of immigration law covers the process and steps necessary to obtain legal permission to remain in the U.S. long-term specifically related to an invididual or group fleeing persecution in their home country.
There are strict criteria required, including being able to support a well-founded fear and demonstrate persecution on one of several protected grounds.
Though there are some procedural and legal distinctions between these two labels, they are substantially similar. The main difference is that refugees apply for this special status from outside of the U.S. (from their home country or a safe third country) and asylum seekers apply from within the U.S.
Enforcement & Removal
This area of immigration law involves the process and procedures for removing people from the United States who are here in violation of immigration laws. This includes people who never obtained authorization to be present in the first place and people who have lost prior authorization for a variety of reasons.
The Significance of Immigration Law
Each of these areas of immigration law can impact travelers, families, employers, and workers in significant ways. Working with an immigration lawyer is incredibly helpful in understanding the law, setting expectations, navigating challenges, and reducing lengthy delays and unfair rejections.
Limited official insights into the immigration process are provided by the U.S. government through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Citizenship Resource Center. We suggest consulting an immigration lawyer for context, nuance, and further clarification on these resources prior to drawing conclusions about your situation.
What an Immigration Lawyer Helps With
Each piece of the immigration puzzle comes together in a unique way for everyone. Your story- the specific facts and circumstances behind your interest in entering or staying in the U.S.- must be assessed in the context of the law.
An immigration lawyer is an attorney with a deep understanding of the issues, hazards, case law, strategies, and rights that form the legal frawework for bringing your immigration story to life.
An immigration lawyer skillfully builds a complete picture of who you are within the eyes of the legal system and guides you toward the best possible outcome.
Some key issues an immigration lawyer helps with are:
- Permanent Residency
- Green Cards | Conditional Green Card
- Lawful Permanent Resident | Conditional Permanent Resident
- Naturalization | Citizenship
- Employment-Based Visas
- H-1B specialized/skilled
- H-2A agricultrual
- H-2B non-agricultural seasonal
- L-1A executives & managers
- L-1B specialized knowledge
- E-2 investor
- E-1 treaty trader
- O-1 extraordinary ability
- EB-5 immigrant investor program
- Family-Based Visas
- CR-1 & IR-1 Marriage Visas for spouses of U.S. citizens, conditional residents (CR) and immediate relatives (IR)
- K-1 Fiance Visas
- Humanitarian Protections
- Asylum | Refugee Status
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Humanitarian Parole
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Primary Student Visas
- F-1 academic students
- M-1 vocational/nonacademic
- J-1 exchange programs
An Immigration Lawyer By Any Other Name…
Because of the broad scope of issues that immigration lawyers help with, some people search by specific topic: marriage immigration lawyer, K1 visa attorney, EB5 visa lawyer, green card lawyer, asylum attorney, VAWA lawyer, etc.
These terms are just different ways of referring to an immigration lawyer. No matter what your needs are or what you call us, you can feel confident that you’re in the right place.
Who an Immigration Lawyer Helps
Notably, where many legal practice areas within civil law address the divide between companies and individuals- typically representing one or the other- immigration lawyers are uniquely situated to represent either.
And whether we’re working with an employer who needs to source the right talent for a niche or scaling business, a family who needs to relocate to find security and hope, or an aspiring innovator who needs a world-class education to grow big dreams, we know that immigration law is always deeply personal.
Employers
Across all industries and sectors in the U.S. economy, from large corporations to small businesses, employers are looking to attract, secure, and keep skilled workers and laborers from outside the U.S. as integral pieces of their vision. This includes industries like:
- Colleges and universities
- Hospitals and healthcare
- Technology, communications, and IT
- Agriculture, energy, and resource management
- Accommodations and food services
- Construction and engineering
- Media, creative and performing arts
An employment based immigration lawyer guides employers through the process, one step at a time.
Talent
Ideas and skills don’t have boundaries, neither should you. We help you harness your knowledge, craftsmanship, dedication and drive, and put it to work in the United States. This includes professionals like:
- Physicians, therapists, and nurses
- Professors, researchers, and scientists
- Talented artists and actors
- Executives, analysts, and managers
- Developers, engineers, and architects
An immigration attorney helps make sure people worldwide can grow their skills, talent, and expertise in the U.S. when the need fits and opportunities align.
Students
Future and current students, thought leaders, and innovators can access world-class education on campuses across the United States. This includes things like:
- high school exchange programs
- college and university undergraduate programs
- doctoral and profressional programs
- vocational and specialty programs
An immigration lawyer for student visas understands how to navigate in a shifting legal landscape, and how to get you where you need to be.
Families
Whether you’re building your family or protecting your family, we help you create a home, a refuge, and a new life- in the United States. This includes things like:
- Fiances and spouses
- Children, parents, and siblings
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Victims of domestic abuse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
This is only a selection of the immigration matters we help with. Don’t see your specific issue? Give us a call.
What an Immigration Lawyer Does
While the big picture overview is great, you may be left wondering what an immigration lawyer does for you on a practical level.
Things an immigration lawyer does for clients-
- Assess eligibility through factual and legal analysis to identify the best routes, options, and strategies to meet your specific circumstances and goals
- Mange, prepare, and file visa applications and associated documents
- Understand and navigate hiring rules for employers and talent
- Gather evidence, prepare affidavits, and build the strongest case possible
- Anticipate and counter red flags like timing issues, overstays, and criminal concerns
- Advocate for clients facing deportation or fighting to keep families together
- Lessen the likelihood of delays and denials through advanced preparation and experience
- Correct prior records and procedural errors by refiling applications and appealing decisions
- Help avoid common pitfalls like missed deadlines and unintended visa violations
- Represent clients in immigration court
- Prepare clients for immigration interviews and identify strategies for addressing potential vulnerabilities
(Learn about other legal matters our attorneys help with by visiting our practice page.)
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost
Unlike other areas of civil law, immigration lawyers typically get paid upfront through flat fees or retainers with a deposit.
Once your immgration attorney has a clear idea of what you need and which facts, laws, and concerns might shape your path for getting there, you’ll sign an agreement for services. This agreement will state very clearly:
- What legal services are covered
- What expectations and obligations both you and your immigration lawyer will have to each other
- What the total cost is
- Whether a flat fee or deposit is required
- What types of payment are accepted
- What happens if additional services are required
At Consumer Justice Law Firm, before an agreement is ever put into writing and before you sign anything, we provide you with a FREE consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer.
Our immigration lawyers use experience and strategy to build your legal pathway to a future in the United States. We help ease long delays, overcome needless obstacles, and avoid unexpected denials.
We make sure you’re confident that your future is in the right hands, then we get you there.
Live, work, and study where you belong. We’ll handle the paperwork.
FREE Consultations. Reach out to get started on your immigration journey now.