Immigration Legal Services in Chicago

Our immigration legal services in Chicago can assist you with:

• Seeking Asylum or Refugee Status. If you have been persecuted in the past or fear future persecution on the basis of your race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group in your home country, you may qualify for asylum or refugee protection in the United States. These statuses allow beneficiaries to remain in the country and apply for green cards after 1 year. We can help you seek asylum or refugee status. 
• Citizenship and Naturalization. Lawful permanent residents can apply to become U.S. citizens after they undergo a mandatory waiting period and meet certain other requirements. Prospective citizens must also pass a naturalization exam. Our firm can serve as your guide and advocate throughout the naturalization process and help you prepare for the English language and civics tests.
• Deportation Defense. If you (or a loved one) have received a Notice to Appear or have been detained, we can help you explore all options that will prevent removal and keep you in the United States. We can evaluate whether you may be eligible for cancellation of removal or an immigration benefit that will confer legal status. No matter your circumstances, we will aggressively fight for you in and out of the courtroom.
• Consular Processing. If you are obtaining a green card while abroad, you will need to complete consular processing once your priority date becomes current. This involves completing several procedural steps and meeting with a consular officer at your home country’s U.S. embassy or consular office. Our firm can serve as your legal partner and advocate throughout this process.
• Family-Based Immigration. United States citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for green cards. Citizens can more efficiently obtain visas for immediate relatives, including parents, spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21. Other types of eligible family members must be sponsored under the family preference categories. We can guide you through the sponsorship process and help you understand what type of wait you should expect when applying as a family preference relative.
• Green Cards. Our immigration legal services in Chicago and can help you obtain green cards through family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, the diversity visa lottery, U visas, SIJS, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and asylum and refugee status.
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The DACA program protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from removal. It also allows beneficiaries to obtain work permits, driver’s licenses, and social security numbers. We can determine if you qualify and help obtain and renew your status.
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). If you have been abused by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent, you may be eligible to self-petition for certain immigration benefits. Our team can evaluate your situation and determine whether you may qualify.
• O visas. O visas are U.S. nonimmigrant visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields like science, arts, education, business, athletics, or the motion picture/television industry. The O-1A covers science, education, business, or athletics, while the O-1B applies to the arts or entertainment. O-2 visas are for essential support personnel, and O-3 for spouses and children. Applicants must show sustained national or international acclaim and a U.S. job offer or event requiring their expertise. The visa is typically granted for the duration of the event or project, up to three years, with extensions available.
• P visas. P visas are for athletes, artists, and entertainers coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform or compete. The P-1 covers internationally recognized athletes or entertainment groups, P-2 is for artists or entertainers in reciprocal exchange programs, and P-3 is for those participating in culturally unique performances. P-4 visas are for dependents. The visa is valid for the duration of the event, competition, or performance, with possible extensions.
• H1B. The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Common fields include IT, engineering, finance, and healthcare. It’s initially valid for up to three years and can be extended to six. The visa is employer-specific, meaning workers can’t change jobs without a new petition. There’s an annual cap on H-1B visas, with some exemptions for universities and research institutions.
• H2A. The H-2A visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs. Employers must show that there aren’t enough U.S. workers available and that hiring foreign workers won’t harm domestic wages or conditions. The visa is generally valid for the duration of the agricultural season, up to one year. It can be extended in limited cases, but workers must maintain their temporary intent to return home.
• EB Visas. Employment-based (EB) visas are immigrant visas that allow foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the U.S. Each category requires a job offer or qualifying criteria, and they all lead to lawful permanent residence (a green card). They’re divided into five preference categories:
  • EB-1: Priority workers with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, or multinational executives.
  • EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in arts, sciences, or business.
  • EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers.
  • EB-4: “Special immigrants,” such as religious workers and certain U.S. government employees abroad.
  • EB-5: Investors who create jobs in the U.S. through significant capital investment.
• Appeals. Appeals provide important opportunities to challenge unjust or legally flawed immigration decisions. After an immigration judge issues a ruling, an individual has the right to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The BIA reviews the judge’s findings for legal or factual errors and can uphold, overturn, or send the case back for further review. Common issues raised on appeal include denials of relief, findings of removability, and disputes over eligibility for immigration benefits. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the judge’s decision, making prompt action essential.
• Federal Litigation. As the appeals, the federal litigation provides the opportunity to challenge immigration decisions. the BIA denies relief, the next step may be to seek review in the federal courts. The U.S. Courts of Appeals can review legal or constitutional errors made by the agency, ensuring that immigration laws are applied correctly and fairly. In some circumstances, individuals may also file lawsuits in U.S. District Court to address government inaction, procedural violations, or other legal errors affecting their cases.
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).The DACA program protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from removal. It also allows beneficiaries to obtain work permits, driver’s licenses, and social security numbers. We can determine if you qualify and help obtain and renew your status.
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).If you have been abused by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent, you may be eligible to self-petition for certain immigration benefits. Our team can evaluate your situation and determine whether you may qualify.
• SIJS. Children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a pathway to lawful permanent residency. The process begins in state juvenile or family court, where a judge must find that reunification with a parent is not viable and that returning to the child’s home country is not in their best interest. With those findings, the child can petition USCIS for SIJS protection.
• U-Visas. Victims of violent crimes, such as domestic violence, armed robbery, or serious assault, may seek protection through a U-Visa in the United States. While the application is pending, victims may receive work authorization. Once granted, individuals are given work authorization and temporary status for four years. After spending three years in the United States on the U-Visa, victims and their eligible family members may apply for legal permanent residency.