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Why You Need an Immigration Attorney

nospam@example.com (Richard M. Wilner) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:10:57 -0500

To be perfectly clear: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not require you to have an attorney, and will not provide you with an attorney if you do not have one. But that in no way means that it is a good idea to go it alone and try to cope with immigration issues by yourself. Here are some of the many reasons you should take advantage of the expertise and experience of a seasoned Los Angeles immigration attorney.

USCIS will not make things easy or simple for youUSCIS and the two other federal agencies that deal with immigration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are primarily enforcement agencies. They want to make sure that everyone follows every rule, and generally have a mindset of keeping as many people out as possible. Missed deadlines, incomplete or inaccurate forms, and even mildly atypical behavior or appearance will suffice to put USCIS and your Immigration Officer in a suspicious, hostile mood, making it more difficult for you to achieve your immigration goals. Working with an immigration attorney in Los Angeles from the get go can end up saving you time, money, and aggravation.

Immigration law changes all the timeAs you surely know, immigration law is a hotly contested issue in American politics. Legislators routinely attach minor and sometimes major changes to immigration law to other seemingly-unrelated bills. The courts create new precedent and rules of interpretation every week. Skilled immigration lawyers make it their business to track and monitor all of these changes in the law, and to know how each change will affect their clients.

Denied applications create bigger problemsIf USCIS denies your application because of a technicality, they will subject future applications to much greater scrutiny. Rather than deal with the uncertainty, expense, and delay of resubmitting a denied application, work with an experienced immigration attorney. He or she will help ensure that you answer USCIS form questions completely and in a way likely to satisfy USCIS; that you pay all required fees promptly; and that you deal with any anomolies or difficulties up front, at the beginning, making it less likely that USCIS will deny your application. The last thing you want is to go through all the time and hassle of filing on your own and then end up paying an attorney more to clean up the mess if USCIS denies your application.

Dedicated Los Angeles immigation attorneys working for youThe skilled attorneys at Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC have dedicated their professional lives to helping immigrants of all stripes fulfill their goals, whether that means a brief stay as a working professional or permanent immigration and naturalization. With conveniently-located offices in Cerritos, Santa Ana, and Riverside as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, they are available to help you address any immigration issue you may face.

Contact us today by phone at 888.862.5905 or through our website to arrange an initial consultation about your case with a focused, caring Los Angeles immigration attorney.

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Citizenship Law--An Overview

nospam@example.com (Richard M. Wilner) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:47:12 -0500

U.S. citizenship law offers a number of pathways to become a U.S. citizen. Individuals may acquire citizenship at birth if born on U.S. soil or born to, or adopted by, U.S. citizen parents. Citizenship and immigration law also grants U.S. citizenship to individuals through the process of naturalization. A qualified citizenship attorney in Orange County can help identify and pursue the best path to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Citizenship through permanent residency

For those unable to obtain U.S. citizenship at birth several options exist. All require an individual to first become a U.S. permanent resident. However, the process to become a U.S. permanent resident can be complicated and is best left in the hands of a professional Orange County citizenship attorney.

To qualify for permanent residency status, a person must be eligible for one of the immigrant categories stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The most common methods of obtaining permanent resident status include sponsorship through a family or employer, or being granted refugee or Asylee status. U.S. citizenship law also offers a number of other programs targeting individuals who meet certain qualifications including those in special job categories, originate from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S., or qualify under special family categories.

The naturalization process

To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, permanent residents must then meet eligibility requirements and complete a detailed application process. Permanent residents must be of good moral character and able to prove continuous residency in the U.S. for a period of 5 years (3 years if applying through marriage to a U.S. citizen) with no absence longer than 6 months. Applicants are fingerprinted, interviewed, and required to submit a written application with supporting documentation.

If approved, applicants must pass a citizenship test to assess knowledge of U.S. government and society as well as a test to determine knowledge of the English language. An experienced citizenship lawyer in Orange County can guide applicants through the naturalization process and ensure they are prepared to take the test.

Skilled and knowledgeable citizenship representation

The top-rated Orange County citizenship attorneys at Wilner & O'Reilly offer specialized knowledge and years of experience. Our skilled legal team ensures accurate, efficient handling of citizenship and immigration matters. Contact us today.

Wilner & O'Reilly, APLC
17777 Center Court Drive #200
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 207-6789

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Is Marriage Really a Path to Citizenship?

nospam@example.com (Richard M. Wilner) — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:06:46 -0400

Marriage can be a legitimate way to obtain U.S. citizenship, but it is not guaranteed or immediate. Spouses must complete a multi- step application process similar to that of any other foreigner seeking to become a U.S. citizen. The entire process takes a number of years to complete, and applications may be denied at any point during this time. Because of the complicated nature of sponsoring a spouse to become a permanent resident or citizen, most couples secure help from an experienced Orange County immigration law firm to ensure their application is handled correctly from the start.

Starting the process

A number of details determine which path a couple takes to obtain citizenship, including whether a couple is engaged or already married and whether the immigrant spouse is living within or outside the United States. The procedures and forms required in each situation are different, so it is best to speak with a qualified immigration lawyer in Orange County to understand what is required.

Obtaining permanent resident status

The first step for all couples is to seek permanent resident status (a green card) for the non-U.S. citizen. Certain conditions may bar an applicant from receiving a green card. It is important to consult with an experienced immigration law firm in Orange County if an immigrant fianc¿r spouse entered the United States illegally, overstayed a visa, or has a criminal record either in the United States or overseas.

Seeking U.S. citizenship

After permanent residency is granted, immigration law firms in Orange County can assist with the process to obtain U.S. citizenship. Immigrants are eligible to apply for citizenship three years after receiving permanent resident status, provided that the following criteria are also met:

The spouses have remained married and lived together continuously for the past three years.
The sponsoring spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past three years.
For at least half of those three years, the green card holder was physically present in the United States with no absence longer than six months and has been living in the state where the application was filed for at least three months.

The right path for the right reasons

Although the process can be lengthy and complicated, marriage is a popular path to citizenship for millions of people each year. For a genuine marriage borne from love, it is the best way to preserve the right of a couple to stay together. Among Orange County immigration law firms, Wilner & O'Reilly has the experience and knowledge to help guide you through the process. Contact us today.

Wilner & O'Reilly, APLC
17777 Center Court Drive #200
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 207-6789

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Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer in Los Angeles?

nospam@example.com (Richard M. Wilner) — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:55:22 -0400

Although applicants for permanent residency or citizenship are not required to hire an immigration lawyer in Los Angeles, doing so is highly recommended. The reality is that most applications require a tremendous amount of time, energy, and attention to detail, not to mention knowledge of the immigration law and regulations that the average person often does not possess. Choosing to apply without a lawyer often results in extra work, delays, or denied claims.

Ensure your application is handled correctly

A trusted Los Angeles immigration lawyer knows the ins and outs of the procedures for filing applications. An immigration attorney ensures that all the necessary paperwork is filed properly, on time, and submitted to the appropriate government agency. As with any legal document, applications for permanent residency or citizenship run the risk of being denied or dismissed with one small error or missing detail. Retaining an immigration attorney ensures couples file correctly the first time and avoids unnecessary denials and delays.

Immigration policy has changed considerably since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Immigration lawyers in Los Angeles have extensive knowledge of the immigration laws and stay on top of recent changes. Such knowledge is invaluable when your fate—or that of your family or business—is in the balance.

Help for complicated situations

Complicated immigration matters are best left in the hands of capable Los Angeles immigration attorneys. If you are facing deportation orders or your application is denied, it is important to seek guidance from an attorney as soon as possible. Applicants may also face unexpected hurdles if you initially entered the United States illegally, overstayed the duration of a visa, or have a prior criminal conviction. A skilled lawyer knows how to best position your case, file necessary appeals, and pursue all possible solutions to keep you in the country.

Leave it to the professionals

Hiring an immigration lawyer ultimately saves you time, energy, and stress. Most applicants do not have the ability, attention to detail, or time available to complete the necessary piles of paperwork, gather numerous supporting documents, and adhere to the intricate rules and regulations of U.S. immigration law. Trusting the process to a professional such as the lawyers of Wilner & O'Reilly gives you a better chance at success and peace of mind that your best interests are protected. Contact us today.

Wilner & O'Reilly, APLC
17777 Center Court Drive #200
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 207-6789

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