Immigration Attorneys in Houston, TX

Immigration is often a complicated process, and it is a source of much stress for both families and individuals. Understanding the immigration-related laws of the United States, such as the length of stay, who can be here and what you can do can be confusing. The right legal help can be crucial during the immigration process. Working with an immigration attorney can provide peace of mind that you are following the correct procedures and have the right information.

We guide and support clients in the key areas of immigration including:

Visas

Green Cards

Asylum

Removal Defense

A foreigner who wishes to legally enter the United States typically must acquire a Visa. This is a permit to enter and remain for a period of time in the United States. Permission from the U.S. government through the U.S. embassy or consulate from your own country is needed. There are two categories of Visas: non-immigrant visas for temporary visits and immigrant visas for immigration purposes.

Immediate Relative Visa

To apply for an Immigrant Visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (green-card holder). Immediate Relative Visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child or parent. 

Family Preference Visa

If there is a more distant, family relationship with a U.S. Citizen, then you will need a Family Preference Visa. Some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) are also included. 

Asylum is a form of protection which allows an individual to remain in the United States instead of being removed (deported) to a country where he or she fears persecution or harm. Under U.S. law, people who flee their countries because they fear persecution can apply for asylum.

To apply for asylum in the U.S., you must be physically present in the U.S. or be seeking entry into the U.S. at a port of entry.

Persecution can be harm or threats of harm to you or your family or to people similar to you. A person can also obtain asylum if he or she has suffered persecution in his or her country in the past. You can only win asylum if at least one of the reasons someone harmed or may harm you is because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion (or a political opinion someone thinks you have), or the fact that you are part of a “particular social group.”