Falls Church, Virginia Immigration Attorney

Lawyer for Green Cards, Visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in Falls Church, VA

The laws related to immigration in the United States can seem complex and overwhelming. For people and families who are seeking to live, work, and build a future in the United States, knowledgeable guidance and skilled legal representation from an experienced immigration attorney can be crucial. At The Estevez Group, PC, we help our clients address a wide range of immigration concerns, from family-based petitions to employer sponsorship and humanitarian protections.

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status

There are some situations where a young person may be concerned about their future in the United States, especially if they are an undocumented immigrant or have not yet become a lawful permanent resident. If a minor has been abandoned by one or both of their parents, or if they have experienced neglect or abuse, they may be able to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.

A minor with SIJ status will receive significant benefits, including:

• The ability to apply for a Green Card, which will provide a path to become a U.S. citizen in the future.
• Protection from deportation and the ability to remain in the United States.
• Eligibility for certain federal benefits and opportunities.

To qualify for SIJ status, a person will need to be a minor who is under the age of 21, and they must not be married. They will need to show that a state court has separated them from one or both of their parents due to issues related to neglect, abuse, or abandonment. SIJ status will only be granted if immigration officials determine that returning to the child's home country would not be in their best interest.

Applicants for SIJ status must provide documentation including:

• A valid court order from a state-level court with the necessary findings.
• Proof of age, such as a birth certificate.
• Additional evidence supporting the claim of abandonment, neglect, or abuse.

Our firm helps clients meet these requirements while making sure applications for SIJ status and supporting documentation are filed correctly. We can provide guidance during the court process, help minors obtain employment authorization, and respond to SIJ denials while working to protect our client's rights and interests.

Family-Based Immigration

One of the primary goals of immigration laws is to allow immigrants to reunite with their loved ones in the United States. The family-based immigration process requires a sponsor to file a petition on behalf of their qualifying family members and meet specific eligibility criteria.

To sponsor a family member, the petitioner must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Provide evidence of the relationship with the relative being sponsored (e.g., through marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption records).
• Meet financial requirements to ensure the sponsored relative will not become a public charge.

Types of Family-Based Visas

• Fiancé Visas (K-1): A U.S. citizen can sponsor their foreign fiancé to enter the United States. The couple must marry within 90 days of the fiancé's arrival.
• Immediate Relative Visas: A citizen can sponsor their spouse, their minor children, or their parents for immigration. These visas are not subject to numerical limits, making them faster to process.
• Family Preference Visas: More distant relatives of citizens may qualify for visas, such as siblings or married children. Green Card holders may also provide sponsorship for certain family members, including their spouses or children. These visas are subject to annual caps, and because of the limited number of visas available, applications will usually involve longer wait times.

Our firm provides comprehensive support throughout the family-based immigration process. We help family members file petitions, compile supporting documentation, prepare for interviews, complete an adjustment of status, and address any complications that may arise.

Employment-Based Immigration

There are many opportunities available for people who want to work in the United States either temporarily or as permanent residents. Employers play a key role in employment-based immigration, and in most cases, workers will need to receive employer sponsorship for visas.

Temporary work visas will allow workers to enter the United States and work for a sponsoring employer for a specific period and purpose. These visas are available in limited quantities, and they usually only allow a person to remain in the country for a few years. Certain specialty workers who meet specific criteria may be able to receive H-1B visas, but other types of temporary visas may also be available for workers with exceptional abilities in certain fields or managers who will be transferring to a U.S. office from another branch of a company. Our lawyer can provide guidance on the best options for visas that will meet the needs of employers and employees.

For workers who plan to permanently live and work in the U.S., immigrant visas may be available that will allow them to receive an employment-based Green Card. These visas are divided into categories based on qualifications, such as advanced degrees, exceptional abilities, or specific job skills. Employers sponsoring workers for immigrant visas must complete the labor certification process to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect U.S. workers.

At The Estevez Group, PC, we assist employers and employees with visa and Green Card applications, making sure they demonstrate their eligibility and meet all of their legal requirements. We can address issues related to employer compliance, ensuring that they submit the correct documentation when sponsoring workers for immigration. We can also provide guidance on the options for appealing the denial of an employment-based application.

Contact Our Falls Church Immigration Lawyer

If you need help addressing immigration-related issues in Falls Church, Virginia, reach out to The Estevez Group, PC to learn about your options and the ways our skilled attorney can assist you. Call 703-829-5179 today to schedule your free consultation.