Coral Gables Immigration Lawyers

Immigration Law Firm in Coral Gables

Immigration attorneys in the U.S. are professionals who focus on the complex and changing field of immigration law. These laws are set by the federal government, rather than individual states. Most immigration regulations are put in place due to concerns such as the security of the country and fulfilling economic needs with certain types of workers. However, immigration laws also tend to change regularly based on the current politicians in power. Because of these concerns, people who want to apply to stay in the United States need to be careful to follow immigration procedures carefully with the help of their immigration attorney in Coral Gables.

This page will cover immigration lawyers, citizenship applications, obtaining permanent residency, and the purpose of family petitions. A brief overview of each area will be discussed.

Immigration attorneys in Coral provide several different services

At Sardina Law, our Immigration lawyers in Coral Gables can provide services in a number of specific categories depending on the needs of the client. Immigration is a broad term for people entering the country, and these legal services include applying for U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, family petitions, and other matters that are within the expertise of an immigration attorney.

Applying for and obtaining a visa is one of the most common reasons that a person will want to speak with an immigration lawyer in Coral Gables. This is because the visa allows the person to accept lawful employment within the United States and remain in the country for the entire duration granted by their visa documentation. Visa holders may also want to try to apply for their permanent residency at a later time. Whether a person is just applying for a visa for the first time, or if they are already present in the U.S. and working on a visa, it is likely that they will need to speak with an immigration attorney in Coral Gables for help at some point. Legal advice should be obtained before the applicant plans on starting to work. Other common visa issues include renewing an expired visa or appealing a denial of a visa application. 

Our Coral Gables immigration lawyers help individuals and businesses prepare and submit accurate and complete immigration applications, minimizing the risk of delays or denials. Many immigration documents will also need to be filed with an affidavit that certifies the information filed is true under penalty of perjury. It is crucial that immigration attorneys in Coral Gables assist with these documents, as misstatements, mistakes, or false information can compromise a person’s ability to remain in the country at a later time. After this documentation is filed, they represent clients in immigration court proceedings, asylum interviews, and deportation defense cases, advocating for their rights and interests. Immigration attorneys can develop plans to address their clients' immigration goals and concerns, whether it involves family reunification, employment-based immigration, or humanitarian relief.

How does a person obtain their U.S. citizenship with the help of attorneys if they are from another country?

The process to become a full U.S. citizen is the ultimate goal for many people who come from other countries. However, becoming a citizen can also be a challenging process with many steps along the way. Citizenship lawyers in Coral Gables can assist with this process, especially considering it may take years from start to finish for some applicants to gain their citizenship. The process can include steps such as gathering the proper documentation, filing an application, attending in person interviews or court hearings, and attending a final ceremony to take an oath. There are also fees that need to be paid with various documentation filings. Most individuals who want to become citizens will enter the country on a work visa or through other immigration programs that grant temporary privileges to remain in the country. However, full citizenship is required for things like voting and obtaining a U.S. passport.

As a general rule, those who want to get their citizenship should be able to prove residency through holding a green card for five years, although this period can be reduced to three years if married to a person who is already a U.S. citizen. The applicant also needs to establish that they were physically present in the U.S. for at least half of this time period. The applicant should have lived within the jurisdiction of the USCIS district where they apply for at least three months prior to filing the application. For security reasons, the government will want to see good moral character during this time, which means no criminal offenses or other issues that may reflect poorly on the person. If there are incidents that need to be explained, citizenship attorneys can help prepare any relevant documentation or other items. In situations where the government discovers a serious criminal background, or additional crimes are committed in the United States, the applicant can be denied citizenship or deported.

The person applying must be able to read, write, and speak the English language. There are exceptions and accommodations for elderly applicants and those with disabilities, but English proficiency should be expected as a general rule. There is also a citizenship test that covers basics of American History and civics, and the test is given in English. Each applicant will need to receive a passing score on this test.

The final step in the citizenship process is for the applicant to take a formal oath of allegiance to the United States, which means any allegiance to a foreign country is no longer valid. If a person is already involved in this process and they are having problems, they should contact a Coral Gables citizenship attorney as soon as possible for assistance.

Who needs the services of a Coral Gables permanent residency attorney?

Those who plan on staying in the United States long term, but may not need their full citizenship, can apply for their permanent residency and receive a green card. Once the government issues a green card to the applicant, this means that they have obtained their permanent residency to stay in the United States as long as they want to. There are a number of services that permanent residency attorneys in Coral Gables can provide to those who are going through this process.

A person can either apply through the consulate if they are outside of the country, or they can have their immigration status adjusted to a permanent resident if they are already in the United States on a work visa or other type of authorization. Anyone who is applying should check their eligibility status first with their Coral Gables permanent residency lawyer. These categories include a person’s employment, family members who are already U.S. citizens, special categories such as religious workers, nationals who worked with the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, as well as refugees and asylum seekers. For applicants residing outside the U.S., permanent residency attorneys in Coral Gables assist with consular processing, preparing them for visa interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries before they arrive in the country.

Once a person is eligible under one of these categories, they need to work with their permanent residency attorney in Coral Gables to file their immigration petition with the proper supporting documentation. After the application is filed, it is common for the government to ask for additional evidence or an in person interview. All of these requests from the government can be handled with assistance from Coral Gables permanent residency attorneys.

Who needs to file a family petition?

Family petitions are a way for those who want to come to the United States to remain legally if they have certain other family members already in the country legally. Once a person has their green card or citizenship, they can work with family petition attorneys in Coral Gables to help certain family members enter and remain in the United States legally. There are a few different categories of people who can sponsor others through family petitions. Immediate relatives are eligible, and this includes those who want to receive sponsorship from an immediate family member who is already in the U.S. as a citizen and is at least 21 years old. There are also family petition categories for those who are the children or siblings of lawful permanent residents, although unmarried children of U.S. citizens receive first preference.

To start the family petition process, the sponsoring family member will file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once the petition is approved, the sponsored family member can then proceed with the application process for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident. These filings need to be completed carefully with help from Coral Gables family petition lawyers.

Family petitions to receive legal status may not always be immediately available. Family members who fall into the family preference categories may have to wait for a visa number to become available before they can apply and go through the immigration process. The wait times can vary depending on factors such as the relationship to the person in the United States and the country of origin of the sponsored family member. Family petition attorneys in Coral Gables can inform an applicant whether there will be wait times and other important pieces of information.

More info about immigration issues is available

Sardina Law is a trusted firm that handles all of these immigration matters. Their immigration attorneys in Coral Gables FL can provide specific advice to anyone who contacts the firm with additional questions.