Abogados de Immigration Law

Immigration Law Attorneys Across the United States

The U.S. immigration system processes over 6 million applications each year through various agencies, courts, and consular offices. A single mistake on a form or a missed deadline can result in denial, deportation, or years of delay. Immigration lawyers help individuals and families work through this system to obtain legal status, defend against removal, and build a path toward permanent residency or citizenship.

What Immigration Law Covers

Immigration law governs how people enter, stay, and gain legal status in the United States. It includes family-based petitions, employment-based visas, asylum claims, deportation defense, and naturalization. Lawyers in this field also handle investor visas, Temporary Protected Status, DACA renewals, and humanitarian relief applications.

The field spans both affirmative applications filed with USCIS and defensive proceedings in immigration court. Each category has its own eligibility rules, evidence requirements, and processing timelines that vary significantly based on the applicant's country of origin and current status.

When to Hire an Immigration Lawyer

• You received a Notice to Appear in immigration court or face removal proceedings
• Your visa application or green card petition was denied and you want to appeal
• You need to apply for asylum or withholding of removal based on persecution in your home country
• Your employer is sponsoring you for a work visa and the labor certification process is complex
• You have a criminal record that may affect your immigration status or eligibility for relief

How the Immigration Legal Process Works

Most cases begin with an assessment of your current status and goals. Your attorney will determine which visa category or relief option fits your situation, then prepare and file the appropriate petition or application with USCIS or the immigration court.

Processing times vary widely. A spouse-based green card for an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen typically takes 12 to 18 months. Employment-based cases can take several years depending on the visa category and country backlog. Asylum cases currently average over four years in the court system.

How Immigration Outcomes Are Determined

• Visa category eligibility depends on your relationship to a petitioner, job offer, or qualifying event like persecution
• Priority dates and per-country quotas control when employment-based and family preference applicants can proceed
• Asylum and cancellation of removal outcomes hinge on documented evidence of hardship, persecution, or ties to the U.S.
• Criminal history, prior immigration violations, and unlawful presence trigger specific bars that affect eligibility for relief
• Waivers of inadmissibility require proof of extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my immigration case is pending?

It depends on your current status. Some visa holders have automatic work authorization, while others must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Asylum applicants can apply for an EAD 150 days after filing their claim. Working without authorization can seriously damage your case.

What happens if I miss an immigration court hearing?

The judge will likely issue an in absentia removal order, meaning you can be deported without further hearings. You may be able to reopen your case if you can show exceptional circumstances, like a medical emergency or failure to receive proper notice. Acting quickly after a missed hearing is the best way to preserve your options.