FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General
While some immigration processes can be completed without legal representation, having an experienced attorney significantly increases your chances of success. Immigration law is complex and constantly changing. Small mistakes on applications can lead to denials, delays, or even deportation proceedings. An attorney ensures your case is properly prepared, helps you avoid costly errors, and advocates for you if complications arise.
Our fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the services required. We offer transparent pricing and will provide a clear fee agreement during your consultation. Many cases are handled on a flat-fee basis, while others may require hourly billing. We're committed to making quality legal representation accessible and will discuss payment options during your consultation.
Yes, we understand that immigration legal fees can be a significant investment. We offer flexible payment arrangements for many types of cases. Contact us to discuss options that work for your budget.
Attorney Armand Ketchiozo is fluent in English and French. We can conduct consultations, prepare documents, and communicate with clients in both languages.
Yes! We serve immigration clients nationwide. Immigration law is federal, which means we can represent clients anywhere in the United States. We handle cases remotely through phone, video conferencing, and secure electronic communication. We also represent clients before Immigration Courts, USCIS offices, and consular posts across the country and around the world.
Processing times vary widely depending on the type of case, the USCIS service center handling it, and current backlogs. Some cases are processed in a few months, while others can take several years. During your consultation, we'll provide realistic timeframes based on current processing trends for your specific case type. We also monitor your case closely and can pursue expedited processing when appropriate.
Family-Based Immigration
If you're a U.S. citizen, you can petition for your spouse through an immediate relative petition (I-130). Your spouse can then apply for a green card either through adjustment of status (if already in the U.S.) or consular processing (if abroad). If you're a lawful permanent resident, you can also petition for your spouse, though processing times are typically longer. We guide you through every step of this process.
U.S. citizens can sponsor their parents (immediate relatives) and siblings (family preference category). Lawful permanent residents cannot sponsor parents or siblings. Sibling cases typically have very long waiting periods due to visa availability limits. We'll assess your specific situation and explain the timeline and requirements.
Adjustment of status allows someone already in the United States to apply for a green card without leaving the country. Consular processing requires the applicant to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The appropriate path depends on your circumstances, immigration history, and how you entered the United States.
USCIS looks for evidence that your marriage is based on a genuine relationship, not just for immigration benefits. Strong evidence includes joint financial accounts, joint lease or mortgage, joint utility bills, insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries, photos together over time, travel records, affidavits from friends and family, and communication records. We help you compile compelling evidence to support your petition.
If you receive a green card based on a marriage that is less than two years old at the time of approval, you'll receive a conditional two-year green card. Within the 90-day period before the card expires, you must file Form I-751 to remove conditions and obtain a permanent 10-year green card. This requires proving your marriage was and remains genuine.
If your green card has already been approved, your spouse cannot revoke it—your status is secure. However, if you're still in the application process, withdrawal of the petition could impact your case. If you're facing this situation, contact us immediately for guidance on protecting your immigration status.
Employment-Based Immigration
Many U.S. employers can sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency through employment-based green card categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3). The process typically involves labor certification (PERM), an I-140 immigrant petition, and adjustment of status or consular processing. Eligibility depends on your qualifications, job requirements, and your employer's willingness to sponsor you.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. Due to high demand, USCIS conducts an annual lottery for H-1B cap-subject positions. Your employer must submit a petition during the registration period (typically March), and if selected in the lottery, file a full H-1B application. We guide employers and employees through this competitive process.
It depends on your visa type. Some visas like the E-2 (treaty investor) or L-1A (intracompany transfer for executives) can support business ownership or management. H-1B visa holders have limited ability to work for their own company. EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions can sometimes support entrepreneurs. We'll evaluate your situation and recommend the best path for your business goals.
If you're on an H-1B or other employer-sponsored work visa and lose your job, you may have a grace period (typically 60 days for H-1B holders) to find new employment, change status, or depart the United States. Acting quickly is essential to avoid falling out of status. Contact us immediately if you face job loss while on a work visa.
Green card holders have permanent resident status and can work for any employer in any position without restrictions. Work visa holders (such as H-1B) are typically tied to a specific employer and position, and changing jobs requires filing new petitions and obtaining approval.
Humanitarian Relief & Asylum
Both provide protection for people fleeing persecution, but the key difference is location. Refugees apply for protection from outside the United States (typically while in another country or refugee camp), while asylum seekers apply after arriving in the U.S. or at a port of entry. Both can eventually lead to permanent residency.
You must file Form I-589 within one year of arriving in the United States (with some exceptions). You must demonstrate that you've suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Asylum cases require detailed documentation and testimony. We help you build the strongest possible case.
You can apply for employment authorization 150 days after filing your asylum application. If USCIS doesn't make a decision within 180 days (through no fault of your own), you may receive work authorization while your case is pending.
U visas are available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. U visa holders can eventually apply for permanent residency. We assist crime victims in understanding their eligibility and navigating this complex process.
TPS is temporary immigration status granted to nationals of certain countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS holders can live and work in the United States during the designated period and are protected from deportation. Eligibility depends on your country of nationality and when you arrived in the U.S.
Deportation & Removal Defense
A Notice to Appear (NTA) is a charging document that initiates removal (deportation) proceedings in Immigration Court. This is extremely serious. Do not ignore it. Contact an immigration attorney immediately. You have the right to be represented by an attorney at your own expense. We provide aggressive defense in removal proceedings and will explore all available forms of relief.
In many cases, yes. You may be eligible for an immigration bond, which allows you to be released from detention while your case proceeds. Bond eligibility depends on several factors, including your immigration history, criminal record (if any), family ties in the U.S., and flight risk. We represent clients in bond hearings and work to secure release whenever possible.
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain individuals in removal proceedings to obtain lawful permanent residence. Eligibility requirements are strict and differ for permanent residents and non-permanent residents. Generally, you must demonstrate continuous physical presence in the U.S. for a specific period, good moral character, and that removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to qualifying family members.
It depends on the nature of the conviction. Some criminal convictions make you inadmissible or deportable, while others may not affect your immigration status. Immigration consequences of criminal convictions are highly complex. We analyze your criminal history in detail and identify any available waivers, relief, or defenses. If you're facing criminal charges, consult with us before pleading guilty.
Missing an Immigration Court hearing can result in an in absentia removal order (deportation order issued in your absence). If you have a valid reason for missing the hearing, we can file a motion to reopen to reschedule. Never miss a court hearing without immediately contacting your attorney.
Citizenship & Naturalization
Most lawful permanent residents can apply for naturalization after five years of permanent residence (three years if married to a U.S. citizen). You must meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements, demonstrate good moral character, pass English and civics tests (with some exceptions), and take an oath of allegiance to the United States.
The naturalization test has two components: an English test (reading, writing, and speaking) and a civics test (U.S. history and government). The civics test consists of 10 questions from a list of 100 possible questions; you must answer 6 correctly to pass. Some applicants qualify for exemptions or modifications based on age and time as a permanent resident. We help you prepare for the test and interview.
It depends on your country of origin. The United States allows dual citizenship, but some countries do not. You should research your home country's laws on dual nationality before naturalizing. We can provide guidance on this issue.
If your N-400 application is denied, you can request a hearing with a USCIS officer to review the decision, or you can reapply. If the denial was based on incorrect information or legal error, we can help you appeal or file a new application with additional evidence.
No. Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members. However, U.S. citizens can sponsor more categories of relatives (including parents and siblings) and generally experience shorter waiting times.
Green Cards & Status
A green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) grants you lawful permanent resident status in the United States. It allows you to live and work permanently in the U.S., travel in and out of the country, and eventually apply for citizenship. Green card holders have most of the same rights as citizens, except they cannot vote or hold certain government jobs.
Most green cards are valid for 10 years and must be renewed before expiration. Conditional green cards (typically issued through recent marriages) are valid for 2 years, and conditions must be removed before expiration. Even if your green card expires, your permanent resident status remains valid—but you should renew promptly to avoid travel and employment verification issues.
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain individuals in removal proceedings to obtain lawful permanent residence. Eligibility requirements are strict and differ for permanent residents and non-permanent residents. Generally, you must demonstrate continuous physical presence in the U.S. for a specific period, good moral character, and that removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to qualifying family members.
Yes. You can lose permanent resident status if you commit certain crimes, fail to maintain residence in the United States, or engage in fraud. Abandoning U.S. residence (such as living abroad for extended periods without a reentry permit) can also result in loss of status. We advise permanent residents on maintaining their status and can help if your status is questioned.
Advance parole is a travel document that allows certain individuals (such as adjustment of status applicants, DACA recipients, or TPS holders) to travel outside the United States and return lawfully. Traveling without advance parole when required can result in abandonment of your pending application. Always consult an attorney before traveling internationally if you have a pending immigration application.
If you're applying for adjustment of status, you generally should not travel without first obtaining advance parole. Leaving the U.S. without advance parole can result in abandonment of your application. We help clients obtain advance parole and provide guidance on safe international travel during the green card process.
Visa Issues
It depends on the type of visa and the reason for denial. Some visa denials can be overcome with additional evidence or by addressing the grounds of inadmissibility. Others may require a waiver. We review denial notices, identify the issues, and advise on the best strategy to overcome the denial or pursue alternative options.
Administrative processing (often called a "221(g)" after the relevant Immigration and Nationality Act section) means the consular officer needs additional information or time before making a final decision on your visa application. This can last weeks or months. If your case is stuck in administrative processing for an extended period, we can pursue options to expedite review.
Overstaying a visa has serious consequences. You may be barred from returning to the U.S. for 3 or 10 years depending on the length of your overstay. However, some options may be available depending on your circumstances, such as adjustment of status through an immediate relative petition or other forms of relief. Contact us immediately to evaluate your situation.
There are several types of waivers in immigration law. If you're inadmissible to the United States (due to prior immigration violations, criminal history, fraud, health issues, etc.), you may need a waiver to overcome that inadmissibility. Common waivers include the I-601 (Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility) and I-601A (Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver). We assess whether you need a waiver and help you prepare a strong application.
Yes. Having a valid visa or green card does not guarantee entry into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at ports of entry have broad authority to assess admissibility and can deny entry even when your immigration documents are valid. If you're concerned about potential admissibility issues or have been denied entry, we can provide crucial guidance and representation.
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Disclaimer
The information provided in these FAQs is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is unique, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please schedule a consultation for advice specific to your situation.