Herndon, VA Immigration Attorney
Lawyer for Employment-Based Green Cards and Family-Based Visas in Herndon, Virginia
The U.S. immigration system can be intimidating, especially for those who speak English as a second language or who may face difficulties related to resettling in a new country. Taking steps to receive authorization to enter the United States, obtain the legal status of lawful permanent resident, and address other concerns related to immigration can be a very complex process that will involve multiple legal requirements. At The Estevez Group, PC, we work with people in Herndon, Virginia to assist with visa and Green Card applications, citizenship, and much more. Our goal is to help individual immigrants, families, and employers resolve their immigration concerns as efficiently as possible.
Family-Based and Employment-Based Immigration
Immigration to the United States frequently involves sponsorship by family members or employers. The Estevez Group, PC provides assistance for clients who are seeking to secure immigrant or non-immigrant visas through these pathways. Immigrant visas will allow someone to become a permanent resident of the U.S., while non-immigrant visas allow for temporary stays in the United States.
Visas: Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Options
Visas allow people from other countries to enter and stay in the United States for specific purposes. Family sponsorship allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for visas on behalf of their loved ones. Immigrant family-based visas generally fall into two categories: Immediate Relative visas, which have no numerical limits, and Family Preference visas, which have annual caps on availability. Fiancé visas are technically non-immigrant visas, since they allow the fiancé or fiancée of a U.S. citizen to remain in the United States for 90 days, but if the couple gets married during that time, the foreign spouse can receive a Green Card.
Employers can sponsor workers for employment-based immigration, ensuring that these employees will be able to come to the U.S. to work. Depending on an employee's qualifications and the type of employment offered, the employer may be able to provide sponsorship for a temporary work visa or an immigrant visa that will allow the employee to receive a Green Card.
Our firm helps clients determine the appropriate visa types for their situations, whether a person will be sponsoring a family member or an employer will be sponsoring an employee. We work with clients to prepare applications for visas and Green Cards while ensuring that they meet all of their legal requirements throughout the immigration process.
Obtaining a Green Card
A Green Card allows a person to live and work in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. The Estevez Group, PC helps clients navigate the two primary pathways to Green Card status:
- Adjustment of Status: For people who are already in the United States, this option will allow them to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. People who are in the U.S. on temporary visas will usually be able to obtain lawful permanent resident status if they have been approved for an immigrant visa.
- Consular Processing: For people who have not yet come to the United States, the process of applying for an immigrant visa and Green Card can be completed through a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. A person will usually need to have an approved immigrant petition, and they will attend a visa interview at the consulate. After receiving approval, they will be able to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
Our firm provides guidance to help clients determine the best pathway to a Green Card, and we make sure they complete all necessary steps to secure lawful permanent residency.
Addressing Other Immigration Issues
In addition to family and employment-based immigration, our attorney assists clients with a variety of other immigration concerns, including:
- Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status: Children who have been subject to abuse or who have been neglected or abandoned by a parent may qualify for SIJ status, which will allow them to maintain a legal immigration status, take steps to obtain a Green Card, and eventually apply for citizenship. To obtain SIJ status, an applicant must have a juvenile court order establishing that reunification with one or both of their parents would not be in their best interest. Our lawyer has experience helping minors apply for SIJ status and resolving any concerns that may affect their immigration status.
- VAWA Self-Petitions and U Visas: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides protection for victims of domestic abuse by allowing them to apply for immigration status, obtain Green Cards, and receive authorization to work. U Visas may be available to people who have been victimized by criminal activity, and they can gain a legal status in the U.S. by agreeing to help law enforcement officers address these crimes.
- Waivers of Inadmissibility: Immigration cases may be affected by grounds of inadmissibility, such as entering or living in the United States without authorization or being convicted of certain types of crimes. For those who qualify, waivers may allow them to enter the United States or obtain Green Cards. The Estevez Group, PC helps clients prepare applications for these waivers and overcome potential legal barriers to immigration.
- Naturalization and Citizenship: Lawful permanent residents can take steps to become citizens and fully integrate into American society. The Estevez Group, PC works with clients to prepare for the naturalization process, ensuring that they meet the proper eligibility criteria and making sure applications are filed correctly.
Contact Our Herndon Immigration Lawyer
If you need help with legal issues related to immigration the attorney at The Estevez Group, PC will stand by your side and provide effective guidance and representation. Call our firm at 703-829-5179 today or fill out an online contact form to set up a free consultation and get the legal support you are looking for.
