Immigration is a touchy subject, even in a city like Houston. While there are numerous laws to facilitate the immigration process, understanding them is extremely difficult. A legal professional is very useful in situations like this.
These attorneys also handle deportation defense, residency issues, and naturalization processes, offering essential legal guidance through the complexities of U.S. immigration law for individuals seeking a better future.
Here’s a look at the different cases handled by a Houston immigration attorney.
Employment-Based Immigration Cases
Immigration attorneys frequently assist businesses and professionals with employment-based visas. These include H-1B visas for skilled workers, L-1 visas for intra-company transfers, and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary arts, science, or athletics abilities. Attorneys help employers sponsor foreign workers and ensure compliance with immigration regulations, mitigating potential legal risks.
They guide clients through the complex processes for obtaining green cards based on employment, including navigating labor certification requirements under the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) process.
Family-Based Immigration Cases
Family unity is a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy. A Houston immigration attorney assists U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in sponsoring relatives for immigration, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings. This process often involves filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and addressing legal hurdles, such as inadmissibility issues. For spouses of U.S. citizens, a Houston immigration attorney typically handles cases requiring adjustments of status, K-1 fiancé(e) visas, or conditional residency removal for couples married less than two years.
Asylum and Refugee Cases
People escaping persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or affiliation with a particular social group frequently apply for asylum or refugee status in the United States. Immigration attorneys are critical in preparing asylum applications, representing clients in interviews, and advocating before immigration judges.
These cases require meticulous documentation and a compelling narrative to demonstrate that the applicant meets the criteria for protection under U.S. and international law.
Deportation and Removal Defense
An immigration attorney defends clients in deportation or removal proceedings. These cases arise when individuals face removal due to visa overstays, criminal convictions, or failure to maintain lawful status. Attorneys represent clients in immigration court, presenting evidence, arguing legal points, and seeking relief options like cancellation of removal, asylum, or waivers of inadmissibility.
This area of practice demands extensive knowledge of immigration statutes and regulations and the ability to navigate procedural nuances.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Attorneys also guide immigrants through the process of becoming U.S. citizens. Naturalization cases involve ensuring that clients meet eligibility requirements, including residency duration, language proficiency, and knowledge of U.S. history and government. They assist with filing Form N-400 and address complications such as prior legal issues or discrepancies in documentation.
Attorneys handle derivative citizenship claims for individuals born outside the U.S. to American parents, ensuring their rightful recognition under the law.
Unique Immigration Programs and Humanitarian Relief
Houston immigration lawyers represent clients under specific programs such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and U visas for crime victims. These programs offer protection and legal pathways for vulnerable populations and often require careful legal argumentation to demonstrate eligibility.
Attorneys help clients secure Temporary Protected Status (TPS) during crises in their home countries and represent children in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.
Conclusion
Immigration attorneys in Houston tackle a broad spectrum of cases, each with their own unique challenges. Their work spans employment, family reunification, humanitarian relief, and deportation defense.
By understanding these areas, individuals seeking assistance can better navigate the complexities of their cases and protect their future.
