By Richard Hanus

Published September 26, 2021

Twenty-six percent of the United States’ population is made up of immigrants from other countries, totaling approximately  85.7 million people .  Furthermore, based on recent trends – including world politics and economics – the popularity of the U.S. as an immigration destination will only increase in the immediate future.

For immigrants residing in the U.S., both in legal and undocumented status, there is only reason to believe such individuals will want to continue their residence here, due to politics, economic opportunities, social status, religion, or even gender, and the limitations their home countries place on their individual freedoms in these realms.

Continue reading to learn about the different legal services that U.S. immigration lawyers can provide to their clients.

Deportation Defense

A U.S. immigration lawyer can help an immigrant, here legally or illegally, to avoid deportation to their home country.

When an immigrant migrates to the U.S. because their life is in danger, they can seek Asylum to avoid deportation or orders of removal. The immigrant must be able to prove that they will be persecuted or harmed if they were to return to their homeland -and on account of certain, specified grounds such as race, religion, political belief or social group. An immigration lawyer can help you prepare your case and compile the information needed for review before U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Asylum Office or Executive Office of Immigration Review’s Immigration Court.

It’s possible that an immigrant lawfully in the U.S. on a green card can face deportation if they commit a crime or deportable offense. However, with Cancellation of Removal for Lawful Permanent Residents, qualifying immigrants have a potent legal avenue to lodge a defense and fight to remain in the U.S.

Undocumented immigrants can qualify for Cancellation of Removal for Unlawful Permanent Residents if they’ve been in the U.S. for a period of 10 or more years, are of good moral character and can document that their forced removal would cause a qualifying U.S. child, spouse or parent, exceptional and extremely unusual hardship.

Another option for relief from deportation might be Adjustment of Status, assuming the foreign national is the beneficiary of the right type of approved visa petition and other eligibility requirements are met. Through adjustment of status, a foreign national can obtain or maintain green card status, but subject to the review by a DHS/CIS immigration officer and an Immigration Judge.  Having a lawyer to back you, can help the entire process go smoothly.

Corporate Immigration Services

There are times where foreign nationals will seek to travel to the U.S. to engage in business or carry out duties relating to their job.  The Temporary Business Visa is ideal for those who will temporarily travel to the U.S. for business reasons, but not engage in employment for remuneration as a U.S.-based worker. The Permanent Business Visa is for those who are going to perform their job while based in the U.S. and on a permanent basis.

An immigration lawyer will be able to help you assist in every aspect of the application process and step in when there are bumps along the road.

Personal Immigration Services

Temporary Personal Visas are available for anyone who is planning to stay in the U.S. for a shorter period of time, whether to attend business meetings, visit family, or attend school. A Permanent Personal Visa is ideal for anyone who has a family member living in the U.S. who is petitioning for them to reside long term in the U.S.

If you plan on staying in the U.S. for the long run, you might consider applying for Citizenship. This applies to qualifying individuals, including those:

  • Born in the U.S. to a diplomat
  • Born outside to the U.S. to a U.S. citizen
  • Born to parents who’ve undergone naturalization
  • Who have held a “green card” for at least 3 or 5 years, depending on circumstances and a variety of eligibility factors (naturalization process)

An immigration services lawyer can help you address any issues that might arise when you are living in the U.S. as an immigrant and/or while undergoing the application process.

Legal Services for Immigrants

Tens of thousands of immigrants, or would be immigrants, are facing questions about the U.S. immigration process and visas, and sometimes even have to defend against deportation from the U.S.   An immigration lawyer will provide an extensive set of legal services to immigrants who need help with these issues.

Contact the Law Offices of Richard Hanus to get in touch with a dedicated Chicago immigration attorney.

 

PUBLISHED September 26, 2021– “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2021, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois