McLean Immigration Attorney
Lawyer for Naturalization, Green Cards, and Visas in McLean, VA
The immigration process in the United States is often complex. People who are planning to come to the U.S. and stay either temporarily or permanently must meet detailed requirements to secure visas and Green Cards. They may encounter a variety of legal concerns along the way. At The Estevez Group, PC, we assist clients in McLean, Virginia with a wide range of immigration concerns, from family and employer sponsorship to humanitarian protections and waivers of inadmissibility. Our goal is to provide the guidance and representation clients need to build a better future in the United States.
Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship is one of the most common ways to receive approval to resettle in the United States. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor family members for visas and Green Cards, but the process requires careful attention to specific requirements and procedures as detailed in the country's immigration laws.
To sponsor a relative for family-based immigration, the petitioner must:
- Establish Eligibility: U.S. citizens can provide sponsorship for Immediate Relative visas, which will allow their spouses, children, or parents to complete the immigration process. For relatives who are not immediate family members, U.S. citizens can provide sponsorship for Family Preference visas. Residents of the U.S. who have Green Cards may provide sponsorship for their immediate relatives through Family Preference visas.
- File a Petition: The sponsor will file a Petition for Alien Relative with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When a petition is approved, family members can move forward with the immigration process once a visa is available. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are prioritized and are not subject to visa caps, but other family members may face longer wait times due to numerical limits on the number of Family Preference visas that are available each year.
- Provide Financial Support: The sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support to demonstrate the ability to financially support the family member and ensure that they will not rely on public assistance.
- Apply for Adjustment of Status or Complete Consular Processing: Family members who are currently in the United States can apply to adjust their status as soon as a visa is available. People outside the U.S. can apply for visas through a local U.S. consulate or embassy, and they will be able to enter the United States once they receive authorization
The Estevez Group, PC helps clients understand the requirements for family-based petitions, and we make sure they follow the right steps during this process. In addition to the visa categories discussed above, our lawyer can help apply for fiancé visas in situations where a U.S. citizen is planning to marry a foreign citizen.
Employer Sponsorship
Employment-based immigration may be an option for people who have the skills and qualifications that meet the needs of employers in the United States. An employer who makes a job offer can sponsor a worker for a visa.
For qualifying employees, employers can provide sponsorship for temporary work visas under multiple types of categories, including H-1B (professionals in specialty occupations), L-1 (managers or certain other employees transferring to a U.S. branch within the same company), and O-1 (people with extraordinary ability in a field such as athletics, arts, science, or business). For employees who are seeking permanent residency, employers may be able to provide sponsorship for employment-based immigrant visas and Green Cards under categories such as EB-1 (priority workers), EB-2 (advanced degrees or exceptional ability), and EB-3 (skilled and unskilled workers).
Our firm assists employers and employees with completing all aspects of the employment-based immigration process, including labor certification, visa applications, and appeals following denials. With our attorney's understanding of immigration law, we can help ensure that all requirements are met correctly while protecting our clients' rights.
Waivers of Inadmissibility
Certain circumstances, such as criminal convictions, health issues, or alleged violations of U.S. immigration laws, may cause immigration officials to deem someone inadmissible to the United States. This may lead to the denial of a visa or Green Card. Waivers of inadmissibility may allow family members to address these concerns and receive approvals. Our firm assists clients in preparing strong waiver applications by gathering the necessary evidence, including proof that a person has met their legal requirements, and showing that family hardship is a factor that should be considered by immigration officials. Our lawyer will work to present a compelling case for why a waiver should be granted.
Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status
Minors who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused at home and have been legally separated from one or both parents by a state court may apply for protection through the status of Special Immigrant Juvenile. This can help ensure that a young person will have protections against harm and that they will be able to avoid deportation or other immigration issues.
SIJ status will also allow a minor to obtain a Green Card and provide them with a path to obtain U.S. citizenship in the future. The Estevez Group, PC guides young people through this process, ensuring they meet all requirements and addressing issues that could affect their future in the United States.
Protections for Victims of Crime or Domestic Abuse
Immigrants who have suffered harm because of criminal activity, including domestic violence at the hands of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder who would be sponsoring them for immigration, may qualify for humanitarian protections. U visas and VAWA self-petitions can help ensure that an immigrant will have a legal status allowing them to live and work in the U.S. Our firm provides compassionate and confidential support to victims, helping them secure the protections they need.
Contact Our McLean, Virginia Immigration Lawyer
If you need assistance with immigration issues in McLean, the attorney at The Estevez Group, PC can advise you about your options and the steps you can take to protect your rights. Contact us and set up a free consultation by calling 703-829-5179. Let us provide the support you need as you make sure you and your family can address your immigration concerns.
