Olney Immigration Lawyers

Attorneys for Visas, Green Cards, Deportation Defense, and Other Immigration Issues in Olney, MD

Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be a complex process. The issues addressed in immigration cases can affect a person's legal status in the United States, their ability to work, and many other aspects of their life. Whether someone is seeking to reunite with loved ones, build a career in the United States, or defend against deportation, it is important to have legal guidance from an attorney who can help them address legal concerns related to immigration correctly.

At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we work with people in Olney, Maryland to provide support in a wide range of immigration-related legal matters. With our help, clients can ensure that applications are filed correctly, meet deadlines, and obtain legal protections that will allow them to maintain safety and stability.

Each immigration case is unique, and the legal strategies used will depend on a person's background, their current immigration status, and their goals. We work to ensure that our clients understand their legal options, and we help them take the right steps to achieve legal status in the United States.

Family-Based Immigration Options

People in the U.S. may be able to file petitions on behalf of their family members, seeking approvals for visas that will allow their loved ones to immigrate to the United States. There are different categories of family-based immigration that will have different eligibility requirements and wait times.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have special priority, and they will not be restricted by annual visa limits. This category of visa includes:

• Spouses married to U.S. citizens
• Unmarried minor children (under the age of 21) of U.S. citizens
• Parents of adult U.S. citizens (over the age of 21)

Other family members may fall into the family preference categories, which are subject to numerical limits and may involve waiting periods before visas become available. These categories include:

• Spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents
• Unmarried adult children (over the age of 21) of U.S. citizens
• Married children (of any age) of U.S. citizens
• Brothers or sisters of U.S. citizens

In addition, a U.S. citizen may file a petition for a fiancé living abroad using the K-1 visa process. After a K-1 visa is granted, the couple must get married within 90 days after the fiancé arrives in the U.S.A.

Our immigration attorney can assist with preparing and filing visa petitions, gathering necessary documentation, and responding to any requests for evidence issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Employment-Based Immigration and Work Visas

For those who are seeking to immigrate to the United States based on professional skills or employment opportunities, there are several types of visas and immigration pathways that may be available. These include both temporary work visas and employment-based immigrant visas.

Temporary employment visas include:

• H-1B visas for professionals in specialty occupations
• O-1 visas for people who have extraordinary abilities in their fields
• L-1 visas for intracompany transferees

Employment-based Green Cards are available in several preference categories, such as:

• EB-1 for people who have extraordinary abilities, as well as multinational executives and outstanding professors or researchers
• EB-2 for professionals who have advanced degrees or exceptional abilities
• EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers

Our attorney can work with both employers and employees to determine the most appropriate visa type, prepare labor certification applications, and handle filings with USCIS or the U.S. Department of Labor.

Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing

Immigrants who are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence and receive a Green Card may do so through one of two methods. Adjustment of status allows a person to apply for a Green Card from within the United States. This option is available to those who entered the country lawfully and are eligible based on family, employment, or other categories. Consular processing involves applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country. This path may be used when an applicant is outside the United States or is not eligible for adjustment of status.

Both options require careful attention to eligibility requirements, background checks, and inadmissibility issues. Our lawyer can assist with preparing applications, submitting supporting documents, and addressing any legal complications that arise during the process.

Applying for U.S. Citizenship

Lawful permanent residents may apply for naturalization after meeting certain residency and eligibility requirements. To qualify for U.S. citizenship, an applicant must generally be at least 18 years old, and they must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years (or three years for a person who is married to a U.S. citizen). They will also need to meet requirements for physical presence in the United States, which generally include living in the country for at least half of the required residence period.

Our attorney can help prepare naturalization applications and identify potential concerns that may arise. We can also help ensure that a person is prepared for a naturalization interview and will be ready to take the required English and civics tests.

Defense Against Deportation and Applications for Asylum

Immigrants who are placed in removal proceedings face the threat of deportation and separation from their families. Our deportation defense attorney can help clients determine the legal avenues that may allow them to remain in the United States. These may include applying for asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or other forms of relief.

Asylum may be granted to someone who fears persecution in their home country on the basis of race, nationality, political opinions, religion, or their membership in a social group that has been targeted for oppression. A well-documented case for asylum will typically need to be supported by personal testimony and country condition reports.

Our lawyer can represent clients in immigration court to help defend against deportation. We can file motions to reopen or appeal decisions, and we can help with bond hearings and requests for prosecutorial discretion.

Additional Immigration Matters

There are several other forms of immigration relief that our attorney can assist with, especially for vulnerable populations or those who are facing humanitarian crises. These include:

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for minors who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by a parent and who cannot be safely reunited with them
• U visas for victims of certain crimes who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement investigations
• VAWA self-petitions for spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who have experienced domestic abuse
• Waivers of inadmissibility for those who would otherwise be barred from obtaining lawful status due to past immigration violations, criminal history, fraud, or other issues

Contact Our Olney, Maryland Immigration Lawyer

Immigration law is complex, and the rules and policies change regularly. Legal representation can be crucial for anyone who needs to address immigration issues. At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, our lawyer can provide guidance on the requirements that immigrants will need to meet and the protections that may be available. To arrange a consultation and learn how we can assist you, contact our Olney immigration law attorney at 571-441-2233.