- Brentwood, TN and Marina Del Rey, CA
Humanitarian immigration cases are different from many other immigration matters. The available categories are limited, the eligibility requirements can be demanding, and deciding whether to apply may carry risks of its own. We help people understand what options are available, what those options can provide, and the potential risks before deciding how to proceed.
We work with people who may qualify for humanitarian immigration relief, including victims of certain crimes who may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status and individuals who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We also evaluate whether someone may have another path to lawful immigration status that has not previously been explored.
We start by understanding your complete immigration and personal history and determining what forms of relief may be available. We explain the eligibility requirements, the evidence that will be needed, the limitations of the particular immigration benefit, and any risks associated with applying.
When there is more than one possible path, we look at how those options fit together rather than treating each application in isolation.
U nonimmigrant status may be available to certain victims of qualifying criminal activity who have been helpful to law enforcement or other qualifying authorities in the investigation or prosecution of that activity. These cases require careful documentation and require a certification from a qualifying agency.
For people who qualify, U nonimmigrant status can provide lawful protection in the United States and may ultimately provide a path to permanent residence. We evaluate eligibility, work through the certification process, prepare the application and supporting evidence, and help clients understand what to expect while the case is pending.
For most DACA recipients, the United States has been home for most of their lives. DACA can provide important protection and employment authorization, but it is not permanent immigration status.
We assist with DACA matters and look beyond DACA itself. We review a client’s family relationships, employment opportunities, immigration history, entries into the United States, and other circumstances to determine whether there may be a more permanent immigration option available.
The decision to file a humanitarian immigration application should not be made simply because someone appears to fit within a particular category. Immigration history, criminal history, prior encounters with immigration authorities, previous applications, and other circumstances can affect both eligibility and the risks of filing.
We look at those issues before pursuing an application and explain what they mean for the case. This allows our clients to make an informed decision about whether and how to proceed.
Not every difficult immigration situation has an available immigration remedy. We will not tell someone that a case is stronger than we believe it is simply because they want to file.
Sometimes our review identifies a viable option that a client did not know existed. Other times, the most valuable advice we can provide is that the available immigration benefit does not fit the circumstances or that the risks outweigh the potential benefit. If another attorney or organization is better suited for the matter, we will say so and, when possible, help identify an appropriate resource.
For someone who does not currently have lawful immigration status, providing information to the federal government can have consequences that should be considered before filing.
We discuss what information the application requires, what immigration history the government may review, and the potential consequences of filing so our clients can make the decision with a full understanding of both the potential benefits and the risks.
Conversations with our attorneys about your circumstances are confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege.
Honest answers about difficult cases.
It's protection available to victims of certain serious crimes committed in the United States who reported the crime and helped law enforcement. It requires a certification from the investigating agency, and current wait times are long.
Yes. What you tell us in a consultation is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege. That's separate from the question of whether to file anything with the government, which we'll talk through carefully before you make a decision.
DACA has been through repeated litigation and policy shifts, and the rules have changed more than once. Tell us where your case stands and we'll give you the current position rather than one from last year.
Sometimes. It depends on your family, your work history, how you entered, and how long you've been here. It's important to discuss all of these factors with a licensed attorney. In some instances, people are eligible for something else.
Get counsel immediately. Although we do not practice in the area of removal proceedings, we can refer attorneys who may be able to assist.
Some are. Approvals in several of these categories have become harder, and processing has slowed. We'd rather tell you that at the outset than have you plan around expectations that don't hold.
That depends on the facts. We'll be direct with you in the consultation about whether we think we can help, and if we're not the right firm we'll try to point you toward someone who is.
You'll get a clear read on your situation and your options. Reach out through the contact form and we'll tell you what the consultation involves before you commit to it.
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Share your full history with us, including the parts you’re unsure about, and we’ll advise on your options before you decide anything.
