Representing You and Your Family in Immigration Court
Experienced Los Angeles Immigration Court Lawyers
Facing the possibility of deportation can be a very stressful experience.
If you received a “Notice to Appear” from the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security this means the government seeks to deport or remove
you back to your country of origin. Although you may not have lawful status
in the United States, you have the right to be represented in court by
a private immigration attorney. It is important to know that unlike in
criminal court, you do not have a right to a free public defender in immigration
court. Therefore, it
would be in your best interest to hire a private attorney because immigration court proceedings and
immigration law are usually very complex and difficult to understand without proper legal
representation. We urge you to make an appointment with our office so
that we could advise you on what to do next.
Call the Law Offices of Michael M. Felix AT (562) 445-4870 to schedule
an immediate
free consultation with any of our attorneys that specialize in immigration law. It is important
that you attend every immigration hearing as the Judge may order you deported
in absentia (while not present). With one of our attorneys, you may seek
a continuance on your case, apply for a form of immigration relief and
even terminate removal/ deportation proceedings.
Bond Proceeding/Hearing
If you or a loved one has been detained by United States Immigration officers
such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), you are probably frightened
by this terrifying experience. One way our attorneys can help you is by
requesting the Immigration Judge for a bond proceeding/hearing, thereby
possibly allowing you to be released from detention. If you or your loved
one’s bond proceeding/hearing has already been set, our attorneys
can also help by requesting the Immigration Judge to re-determine the
bond set by the Department of Homeland Security. Please be aware that
not everyone is eligible to receive a bond order from an Immigration Judge
as some individuals are given “mandatory detention.” Eligibility
depends on many factors such as why you or your loved one was picked up
by United States Immigration officers. If you or a loved one has been
detained by United States Immigration officers, please call our office
today at (562) 445-4870 for your free consultation.
Asylum
Are you afraid that your life would be at risk if you were forced to return
to your home country? You may be protected under the immigration asylum
laws and be allowed to remain indefinitely in the United States, with
permission to work. Asylum seekers must prove that he or she has well-founded
fear or have suffered past-persecution based on race, religion, nationality,
membership in a particular social group, and or political opinion. Winning
an asylum case is challenging, but our attorneys’ substantial expertise
in immigration law allows them to navigate even the complexities of asylum
law and will work with you to obtain the results you are seeking. One
year after being granted asylum, you may apply for lawful permanent residence
(“Green Card”) and work towards ultimately becoming a citizen
of the United States. Our law firm is committed to helping protect immigrants
whose lives are in danger in their home countries and our attorneys will
work zealously to ensure that they remain safe in the United States. Call
our office at (562) 445-4870 to get more information about asylum and
determine if you are eligible.
Cancellation of Removal for Non-LPR (240(A)(b))
Although you may be in removal proceedings, you might have a possibility
to remain in the United States and terminate removal proceedings by applying
for cancellation of removal.
If you are not a lawful permanent resident (“Green Card Holder”),
the Court may grant you a cancellation of removal if you prove the following:
- You have maintained a continuous physical presence in the U.S. for 10 years
or more and have maintained good moral character during such period
- You have not been convicted of an offense covered under sections 212(a)(2),
237(a)(2) or 237(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- Your removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship
to your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child
- You are deserving of a favorable exercise of discretion on your application
The stakes are high when you are placed in removal proceedings; it is crucial
that you urgently seek appropriate legal representation to determine whether
you qualify for cancellation of removal. If you have any prior convictions,
our attorneys can help you understand whether you are ineligible under
the INA sections mentioned above. Our firm can represent you at every
immigration court hearing and help you apply for cancellation of removal
in order to terminate removal proceedings against you. If the court grants
you a cancellation of removal, you will be eligible for lawful permanent
resident status (“Green Card”) that will allow you to live
and work in the United States. Call our office at (562) 445-4870 to schedule
an immediate appointment.
Cancellation of Removal for LPR (240(A)(a))
If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, you may be able eligible
to apply for cancellation of removal as a lawful permanent resident (“Green
Card Holder”). Cancellation of removal will terminate removal proceedings
against you and you will be allowed to remain in the United States.
The court may cancel removal in your case if:
- You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years
- You have continuously resided in the United States for at least 7 years
after being lawfully admitted in any immigration status
- You have not been convicted of any aggravated felony
Unlike cancellation of removal for non-lawful permanent residents, if you
are a lawful permanent resident you will not have to prove any hardship
to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member. Nevertheless,
immigration law and immigration court proceedings can be very confusing,
especially without proper legal representation. Our firm can guarantee
that each of our attorneys will keep you well informed as to every step
of your court proceedings and explain the law and facts affecting your
case. We understand that facing removal proceedings is stressful and frightening
so we are committed to providing each of our clients with close individualized
attention. Call (562) 445-4870 to learn more about how the Law Offices
of Michael M. Felix can represent you during your removal proceedings.
Withholding of Removal
If you are in removal/deportation proceedings, withholding of removal may
protect you from returning to your home country that threatens your life
or freedom. You are afforded the right to invoke a claim for withholding
of removal at any time during the proceedings. To be granted withholding
of removal you must show that it is more likely than not that your life
or freedom would be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality,
members in a particular social group or political opinion in your home
country. Even though the standard of proof carries a high burden, if you
meet the standard, the immigration Judge must grant withholding of removal.
However, the court may order you removed to a third country where your
life or freedom would not be threatened. Withholding of removal is only
temporary, and unlike asylum, it does not have the avenue to lawful permanent
resident status (“Green Card”).
Waivers
Immigration has created various waivers to waive specific crimes of individuals
seeking admission or intending to remain in the United States. A waiver
is an application made for USCIS or the Department of State to set aside
the reason for which you are not being permitted to enter or remain in
the United States. Without these waivers, Immigration could deny you admission
to the United States or deport you from the country based on your commission
of a crime.
Under the 212(h) waiver, Immigration will waive a crime involving moral
turpitude, multiple criminal convictions with an aggregate sentence of
5 years, prostitution or commercialized vice activities, a single conviction
for simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, and a serious
criminal activity committed by an individual who asserts immunity from
prosecution. Immigration may also waive aggravated felonies for certain
lawful permanent residents (“Green Card Holder”) under INA
section 212(c).
A 212(i) waiver will waive fraud or misrepresentation in procuring or attempting
to procure an immigration benefit such as a visa or admission to the United
States; not in obtaining employment or Social Security cards. Similarly,
a 212(d)(12) waiver will waive document fraud.
Representation from Attorney Felix in Immigration Court - Free Consultation
Each of these waivers has specific requirements and will only waive particular
offenses. It is important that you consult an experienced immigration
attorney about your case before filing a waiver application. Our principal attorney
Michael M. Felix served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the U.S. Immigration Court in Los Angeles.
He drafted the actual legal decisions that the Immigration judges would
render in Court addressing complex issues of immigration law such as waivers.
Call our office at (562) 445-4870 to consult with one of our Los Angeles immigration court
attorneys about your case.