Weldon, CA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

*Criminal Relief* The U.S. Immigration laws are very strict. In this particular case, the past crime is preventing you from going forward with obtaining any immigration benefits. In fact, in a deportation in this type of matter, it could very well result in deportation for life without any possibility of coming back. It is never easy to obtain criminal relief, but it is the only realistic chance that exists. We file the necessary paperwork in order to try to get the conviction vacated or reduced so that it is not an aggravated felony. A Supreme Court case Padilla vs. Kentucky has come out which essentially states that if you were not properly notified of the immigration consequences of your plea, then your sixth amendment rights to counsel have been violated. Thus, we would go back into the criminal court based in large part on Padilla vs. Kentucky.

You can apply to change your status from one visa category to another. You must first apply for admission in the school as a foreign student and get them to issue Form I-20. Then you should contact an immigration attorney to file the appropriate forms with USCIS (Form I-539, G-28). Once filed, it takes about 2 to 3 months for USCIS to approve the change of status.