Category Archive Cancellation of Removal Notice to Appear

ByPhillip Kim

Facing Deportation and Removal—What You Can Do

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If you have violated immigration law, you may be subject to deportation or removal proceedings. For illegal U.S. residents who were removed just once, there is a 3 year period that you are barred from re-entering the U.S. For long periods of undocumented U.S. residence or multiple removal offenses, the period of time that you are not admissible to immigrate to the U.S. can grow to up to 20 years.

Immigrants may be detained (jailed) for violations of current immigration law. The minimum bail you will be facing if detained on an immigration hold is $1,500 although it could be more depending on any other criminal record. If you are living in an area participating in the Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Communities Program, immigrants with criminal histories may be deported.

If you are not yet in court proceedings for your removal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, you may have some particular options for avoiding deportation. Some applicants may be allowed to withdraw their application for permanent residence without the consequence of deportation.

Applicants facing deportation may also have the option of voluntarily departing the U.S. While voluntary departure does result in you leaving the U.S., immigrants who voluntarily depart are not subject to the periods of waiting before they can re-enter the U.S.

If you are currently in formal removal proceedings with the Department of Justice Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, you may have the option of having your deportation cancelled. If you have been a long-term resident of the U.S. and can demonstrate, using the proper U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services waiver, that your deportation would cause your spouse or parents extreme hardship, your deportation may be cancelled. You may also need to file other waivers that support or assert your admissibility for residence in the U.S.

Refugees, Asylees, and battered spouses and children can be subject to removal proceedings for being in violation of immigration law. However, you cannot be deported while your application for asylum is pending. Refugees and asylees will not be deported. However, if your asylum is cancelled or suspended at any time, your removal proceedings may resume.

ByPhillip Kim

DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process

DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process
You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Age Requirements

Anyone requesting consideration for deferred action under this process must have been under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request deferred action, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below:

Your situation Required age
I have never been in removal proceedings, or my proceedings have been terminated before making my request. At least 15 years old at the time of submitting your request and not over 31 years of age as of June 15, 2012.
I am in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order, and I am not in immigration detention.

Not above the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, but you may be younger than 15 years old at the time you submit your request.
Timeframe for Meeting the Guidelines

You must prove
That on June 15, 2012 you As of the date you file your request you
Were under 31 years old
Had come to the United States before your 16th birthday
Were physically present in the United States
Entered without inspection by this date, or your lawful immigration status expired as of this date
Have resided continuously in the U.S. since June 15, 2007;
Were physically present in the United States; and
Are in school, have graduated from high school in the United States, or have a GED; or
Are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
Education and Military Service Guidelines

Your school or military status at the time of requesting deferred action under this process Meet education or military service guidelines for deferred action under this process (Y/N)
I graduated from:

Public or private high school; or
Secondary school.
Or
I have obtained a GED.
Yes
I am currently enrolled in school.

See www.uscis.gov for more information.
If you need help on filing, contact (619) 752-5379, PKimmigration.com

ByPhillip Kim

Work Permit for Dreamers and Deferred Action Dream Act

Work Permit for Dreamers and Deferred Action Dream Act

Ask DREAM ACT Attorney – Call (559) 448-8500

On June 15, 2012, DHS Secretary Napolitano issued a memorandum announcing that DHS will offer deferred action for two years to certain young people who came to the U.S. as children and meet other eligibility criteria. Individuals who receive deferred action will not be placed into removal proceedings or removed from the U.S. for the duration of the grant. Individuals in removal proceedings, those with final orders, and those who have never been in removal proceedings will be able to affirmatively request deferred action from USCIS.

According to USCIS an individual who meets the following criteria may apply for deferred action:
1. Was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2. Came to the U.S. before reaching his/her 16th birthday;
3. Has continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
4. Was physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of application to USCIS;
5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
6. Is currently in school, has graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, has obtained a GED, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces; and
7. Has not been convicted of a felony, a “significant misdemeanor,” three or more other misdemeanors, or does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
To request deferred action from USCIS, individuals must submit required documents and fees.
Even If you are currently in immigration detention or face imminent removal, you might be still eligible for Deferred Action.

For more information, please contact:
Phillip Kim, esq.
Phillip Kim Law Center
Tel. (559) 448-8500
Tel. (619) 752-5379

ByStaff

How to Apply for a Work Permit under New Immigration Law

The Obama Administration’s latest new immigration law could benefit many immigrants.

Effective June 15th, 2012, President Obama’s new immigration law will do two things for young immigrants: prevent deportation and grant work permits.

The Obama Administration decided it was time to address the needs of thousands of struggling, young immigrants. Many of these immigrants were brought the United States at a young age and have significant ties to this country – some have lived here since they were children and only speak English. The new law is meant to provide these immigrants with a solution that would prevent them from being deported and would also allow them to work legally in the U.S.

The law is tailored for immigrants who are currently under the age of 30. The immigrant must prove that he is not a threat to the country. Good moral character will also be taken into account. This means that if the immigrant has a history of crime or criminal offenses, he may be denied under this new law.

The new law is meant for young immigrants who came to the U.S. under the age of 16. As minors, these immigrants had no choice in coming to this country. Now that they are here, they should be allowed to stay and get work legally.

Finally, the last requirements under this law are that the immigrant is currently in school or has graduated from high school. If you have received some form of a G.E.D., then that would be acceptable as well. You must also have been living in the U.S. since 2007. If you left at any time within the past 5 years or are currently NOT in the U.S., then you might not be eligible to apply under this law.

Even though you meet these minimum requirements, you may not be eligible for the benefits of this new law. For example, documents must be submitted as proof or evidence that you meet the requirements. If you fail to provide the government with proper documents, your case may be denied.

Furthermore, there may be more requirements for specific cases. A certain criminal offense might still mean that you are eligible for some protection under this law, while other offenses will bar you from benefits altogether.

For these reasons, it is important to discuss your options with a specialized immigration lawyer. Contact Attorney Phillip Kim for more information about Obama’s new law and how it will affect you.

Phillip Kim, esq.
Phillip Kim Law Center

Fresno Office
(559) 448-8500
PhillipKimLaw.com

ByPhillip Kim

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3 by Immigration Attorney in Fresno

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3
You may be eligible for this immigrant visa preference category if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker.

● “Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature
● “Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are a member of the professions
● The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature.

■ Eligibility Criteria
◆ Sub-categories : Skilled Workers
Evidence : ⊙ You must be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of job experience or training ⊙ You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States
Certification : Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.

◆ Sub-categories : Professionals
Evidence : ⊙ You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent, and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation
⊙ You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States
⊙ Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree
Certification : Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.

◆ Sub-categories : Unskilled Workers (Other Workers)
Evidence : You must be capable, at the time the petition is filed on your behalf, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than 2 years training or experience), that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
Certification : Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.

Note: While eligibility requirements for the third preference classification are less stringent, you should be aware that a long backlog exists for visas in the “other workers” category.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

Application Process

Your employer (petitioner) must file , Petition for Alien Worker. As part of the application process, your employer must be able to demonstrate an ability to pay the offered wage as of your visa priority date. Your employer may use an annual report, federal income tax return, or audited financial statement to demonstrate an ability to pay your wage.

For more information on filing fees, Please Call:(559) 761-9742

.

Family of EB-3 Visa Holders

Your spouse may be admitted to the United States in the file (spouse of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or the file (spouse of an “other worker”). During the process where you and your spouse are applying for permanent resident status (status as a green card holder), your spouse is eligible to file for an Employment Authorization Document . Your minor children (under the age of 18) may be admitted as the file (child of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or the file (child of an “other worker”).
For More Information, Please Call :
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

ByPhillip Kim

Employment-Based Immigration by Attorney in Fresno: First Preference EB-1

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1
You may be eligible for an employment-based, first-preference visa if you have an

extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a multinational

executive or manager. Each occupational category has certain requirements that must be

met:

Eligibility Criteria
◆ Extraordinary Ability
You must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,

business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Your

achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. No offer

of employment is required.

◆ Outstanding professors and researchers
You must demonstrate international recognition for your outstanding achievements in a

particular academic field. You must have at least 3 years experience in teaching or

research in that academic area. You must be entering the United States in order to

pursue tenure or tenure track teaching or comparable research position at a university or

other institution of higher education.

◆ Multinational manager or executive
You must have been employed outside the United States in the 3 years preceding the

petition for at least 1 year by a firm or corporation and you must be seeking to enter the

United States to continue service to that firm or organization. Your employment must

have been outside the United States in a managerial or executive capacity and with the

same employer, an affiliate, or a subsidiary of the employer.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

* Criteria for Demonstrating Extraordinary Ability
You must meet 3 out of the 10 listed criteria below to prove extraordinary ability in your

field:

● Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

for excellence
● Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding

achievement of their members
● Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or

other major media
● Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or

on a panel
● Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related

contributions of major significance to the field
● Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade

publications or other major media
● Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases
● Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
● Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in

relation to others in the field
● Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts

** Examples of Documentary Evidence That A Person is an Outstanding Professor Or

Researcher

● Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement
● Evidence of membership in associations that require their members to demonstrate

outstanding achievement
● Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about the

alien’s work in the academic field
● Evidence of participation, either on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of

others in the same or allied academic field
● Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions in the field
● Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with

international circulation) in the field

For More Information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

ByPhillip Kim

Permanent Workers by Immigration Attorney in Fresno

Approximately 140,000 immigrant visas are available each fiscal year for aliens (and their spouses and children) who seek to immigrate based on their job skills. If you have the right combination of skills, education, and/or work experience and are otherwise eligible, you may be able to live permanently in the United States.
The five employment-based immigrant visa preferences (categories) are listed below.

Labor Certification

Some immigrant visa preferences require you to already have a job offer from a U.S. employer. This employer will be considered your sponsor. For some visa categories, before the U.S. employer can submit an immigration petition to USCIS, the employer must obtain an approved labor certification from the U.S.

Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL labor certification verifies the following:

● There are insufficient available, qualified, and willing U.S. workers to fill the position being offered at the prevailing wage
● Hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers
For more information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

Permanent Worker Visa Preference Categories

● First Preference EB-1
This preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives and managers. /Labor Certification Required? No

● Second Preference EB-2
This preference is reserved for persons who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
/Labor Certification Required?
Yes, unless applicant can obtain a national interest waiver (See the “Labor Certification” link to the right for more waiver information.)

● Third Preference EB-3
This preference is reserved for professionals, skilled workers, and other workers. (See Third Preference EB-3 link on left for further definition of these job classifications.)/Labor Certification Required?
Yes

● Fourth Preference EB-4
This preference is reserved for “special immigrants,” which includes certain religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, retired employees of international organizations, alien minors who are wards of courts in the United States, and other classes of aliens. /Labor Certification Required? No

● Fifth Preference EB-5
This preference is reserved for business investors who invest $1 million or $500,000 (if the investment is made in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers. /Labor Certification Required? No

For More Information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

ByPhillip Kim

Green Card Through Family by Immigration Attorney in Fresno

Many people become permanent residents (get a green card) through family members. The United States promotes family unity and allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to

petition for certain relatives to come and live permanently in the United States. You may be eligible to get a green card through a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent

resident, or through the special categories described below. For more information on the

categories below, Please Contact : Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim

There are two distinct paths through which you can get your green card. Many family members who are already in the United States may qualify for adjustment of status to

permanent residence in the United States, which means they are able to complete their immigrant processing without having to return to their home country. Those relatives outside the United States or those who are not eligible to adjust status in the United States

may be eligible for consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad that has jurisdiction over their foreign place of residence. For more information on these processes, Please Contact :Phillip Kim

If Your Family Member is a U.S. Citizen

You may be able to get a green card as an immediate relative or as a family member in a preference category if your U.S. citizen relative files a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for you. For more information on immigrant petitions, Please Contact :
(559) 761-9742

◆ Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen
You are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen if you are:

◆ The child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen
◆ The spouse (husband or wife) of a U.S. citizen
◆ The parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years or older)
◆ Family Member of a U.S. Citizen in a Preference Category
You are a family member of a U.S. citizen in a preference category if you are:

◆ An unmarried son or daughter (21 years or older) of a U.S. citizen
◆ A married son or daughter (any age) of a U.S. citizen
◆ A sibling (brother or sister) of a U.S. citizen
If Your Family Member is a Permanent Resident

You may be able to get a green card as a family member in a preference category if your

family member filed a Form I-130 on your behalf. For more information on immigrant

petitions, Please Contact :Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim

◆ Family member of a permanent resident in a preference category
You are a family member of a permanent resident in a preference category if you are:

◆ The spouse of a permanent resident
◆ The child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of permanent resident
◆ The unmarried son or daughter (21 years or older) of a permanent resident Green Card Through Special Categories of Family

You may also be eligible to get a green card if you:

◆ Are a battered child or spouse of a U.S. citizen
◆ Entered the United States with a K visa as the fiance(e) or spouse of a U.S. citizen or an accompanying child
◆ Obtained V nonimmigrant status
◆ Are a widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
◆ Are born to a foreign diplomat in the United States
For more information on “Adjustment of Status” and “Consular Processing” , Please

Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

ByPhillip Kim

USCIS’ Role in the Visa Process by Immigration Attorney in Fresno

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the visa process, particularly USCIS

and Department of State (DOS) efforts to maximize visa issuance in accordance with

the law.

In recent years, over 1 million people became Lawful Permanent Residents of the

United States (LPRs). Under the law there are a variety of different categories and

means through which a person may become eligible for permanent residence. A

substantial number of these categories have numerical limitations – annual caps on

how many people can immigrate. There are other aspects to these caps as well,

such as limitations per country.

The Department of State administers the provisions of the Immigration and

Nationality Act (INA) that relate to the numerical limits on immigrant visa issuance.

However, DOS and USCIS must work closely in this respect because visas issued by

DOS and adjustment of status granted by USCIS draw down from the same pool of

limited numbers. Close and careful coordination ensures that annual limitations are

not exceeded, and also helps us jointly strive to use all available visa numbers when

there is sufficient demand.

In concert with DOS, USCIS has made significant changes in recent years to

maximize the use of the limited number of visas available annually. These changes

include increased staffing, enhanced analytical capacity, more detailed and strategic

management of monthly production, and close partnership with DOS to share greater

information. This enhanced information exchange assists DOS in better managing visa

allocations through the monthly visa bulletin and improves USCIS’ ability to target

production for maximum result.For More Information, Please Contact:
Fresno Immigration Attorney Phillip Kim
(559) 761-9742
https://phillipkimlaw.com/

ByPhillip Kim

Cancellation of Removal in Fresno California- Deporation Defense Lawyer Attorney

A discretionary benefit adjusting an alien’s status from that of deportable alien to one lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Application for cancellation of removal is made during the course of a hearing before an immigration judge. You might have a hearing scheduled in San Francisco or Los Angeles; however, your local lawyer from Fresno can help you. Contact an Immigration Deportation Defense Cancellation of Removal Attorney in Fresno today.

Immigration Benefits in EOIR Removal Proceedings

The information on this page only applies to individuals who are requesting, or who have been granted, relief from removal or protection while they are in removal proceedings in Immigration Court or before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Immigration courts and the BIA are part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) within the Department of Justice (DOJ). If eligible, individuals in removal proceedings can apply for various immigration benefits, which if granted, provide relief from removal, such as adjustment to permanent resident status, cancellation of removal, and certain waivers of inadmissibility. Eligible individuals may also seek asylum or withholding of removal, among other forms of protection relief.

If you are filing for relief or protection in immigration court, the government’s attorney will provide you with the pre-order Instructions for Submitting Certain Applications in Immigration Court and For Providing Biometric and Biographic Information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You must follow these instructions carefully in order to have your application adjudicated during removal proceedings. As described in the joint Fact Sheet on immigration benefits in EOIR proceedings, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) implemented these procedures to ensure that the background and security checks required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are completed before EOIR Immigration Judges or the BIA grant an individual relief from removal or protection benefits. EOIR regulations effective on April 1, 2005 prohibit Immigration Judges and the BIA from granting such benefits to an alien before DHS reports that the identity, background and security checks are complete. (See 70 Federal Register 4743 (January 31, 2005)(codified at 8 C.F.R. Parts 1003 and 1208).

If the Immigration Judge grants your application, you will be given the Post-Order Instructions for Individuals Granted Relief or Protection from Removal by Immigration Court at the conclusion of the removal proceedings. These post-order instructions describe the steps you should follow to obtain documentation of your immigration status and work authorization. If relief or protection is granted by the BIA, your BIA decision will contain similar instructions for obtaining your documentation.