IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM PRACTICE AREAS
DALLAS & HOUSTON IMMIGRATION LAWYER
Davis & Associates is your immigration law firm of choice in the Houston and Dallas Metroplex. Our attorneys provide expert legal counsel for all aspects of immigration law, including deportation defense, writs of habeas corpus and mandamus, family-sponsored immigration, employment-sponsored immigration, investment immigration, employer compliance, temporary visas for work and college, permanent residence, naturalization, consular visa processing, waivers, and appeals.
WHY CHOOSE DAVIS & ASSOCIATES IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM
- Our staff is multi-lingual and many of us have gone through the immigration process with our families and loved ones.
- We understand how you feel and genuinely care about helping you reach your immigration goals. Our motto is “Families, not Files” because when you do business with us, you are not just another file on our desks.
- Mr. Davis is board certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTICE AREAS
UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION & VISAS
Are you in need of a visa to travel to the United States? Whether it be for work, school, or family, navigating the complex visa process can seem daunting. With their knowledge of the legal system and expertise in immigration law, an immigration attorney can guide you through every step of the process and give you the best shot of your visa being approved. An immigration attorney can assist with determining the right type of visa for your situation, filling out complicated paperwork, and preparing for you interview.
FAMILY IMMIGRATION
If you want to come to the United States to live and work, there are many different paths you can take based on your familial relationships. Whether you seek to come to the U.S. to live as a permanent resident based on marriage or family sponsorship, our immigration attorneys can offer expert legal guidance in all facets of immigration law to help you achieve your goals.
BUSINESS IMMIGRATION
As a U.S.-based employer, sometimes you may not be able to find a worker in America who is qualified to fill a particular position within your company, and you may decide to seek a qualified worker abroad. There might also be instances when you need to transfer a manager or executive from one of your foreign offices to a branch in the U.S. Bringing these workers to the United States can be a challenging process. Our business immigration lawyers can help.
DEPORTATION
There are various reasons why someone may face the prospect of deportation, but regardless of the reason, it is a severe and potentially devastating situation. If you are ever at risk of deportation, you require the services of an experienced immigration attorney with a proven track record. An immigration attorney can guide you through the immigration court proceedings, interview preparation, strategic planning, evidence gathering, and representation during hearings.
POLITICAL ASYLUM
If you’re in the United States and you fear that you will face persecution if you were to return to your country of origin—based on your race, nationality, religious convictions, political leanings, or affiliation with a particular social group, you may qualify for asylum. The threat of persecution, however, must originate from your country’s government or from a person or group from which the government can’t, or won’t, protect you.
GREEN CARDS
Whether your goal is to reunite with family, advance your career, or simply enjoy the opportunities and freedoms the country has to offer, having a green card opens countless doors. But the process of obtaining a green card can be complicated and time-consuming. If you are in pursuit of a green card, Davis & Associates can help you in the process. We offer comprehensive counsel and compassionate guidance to green card seekers in Texas, throughout the U.S., and around the world.
CITIZENSHIP & NATURALIZATION
Becoming a citizen of the United States is a dream for many immigrants. If you desire to become a U.S. citizen and partake in the rights and privileges that come with that status, you can do so through a process called naturalization. As a naturalized citizen you’ll be able to elect government officials, be employed without constraints, and be bestowed with other entitlements enjoyed by natural-born citizens.
IMMIGRATION APPEALS
Immigration appeals can serve as a lifeline to those who have had an immigration application denied. When navigating the treacherous waters of immigration law, having a skilled immigration attorney by your side can be the difference between success and failure. With a deep understanding of the law and the intricate procedures of immigration appeals, a competent attorney can help you craft a persuasive argument and guide you through the appeals process.
DACA
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that allows eligible individuals who were brought to the United States as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation. However, the application process for DACA can be daunting and stressful. That is where an experienced immigration attorney comes in. Davis & Associates is proud to serve DREAMers who need legal representation or counsel.
Advance Parole
During the time that your green card application is being processed by USCIS, you may need to travel outside the United States to tend to business in other countries, visit family, or to enjoy traveling abroad. It could take months to years for your application to be approved. In order to travel outside the country in the meantime without having your green card application canceled, you’ll need a travel document—also referred to as advance parole. Our experienced immigration lawyers can help you obtain a travel document to avoid negatively impacting your green card application.
Student Visas
Knowledge is power, and a good education can open doors to opportunity in every industry and vocation. The United States has long been a destination of choice for learning and higher education, and thousands of hopefuls from around the world seek to enroll in an educational institution in the U.S. each year. This can all be made possible through student visas. At Davis & Associates, our immigration lawyers can help you realize your educational aspirations.
Removal Of Conditions
When you are a conditional permanent resident in the United States your conditional green card lasts for two years, after which it will expire—and you can’t renew it. You must remove the conditions on your permanent resident status by filing paperwork with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Our experienced attorneys can help you remove the conditions on your green card.
Refugee Status
If you live outside the United States and you experience persecution, or you fear being persecuted, in your home country on account of your race, nationality, religious convictions, political leanings, or belonging to a particular social group, you can pursue legal entry and protection in the U.S. as a refugee. The skilled refugee lawyers at Davis & Associates can provide the legal guidance you need.
VAWA Self Petitioners
If you’re a battered spouse, parent, or child of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) permits you to self-petition to become a permanent resident (get your green card) without the sponsorship of your abuser—or their participation whatsoever. Our caring team of lawyers can help you reach your goal.
Temporary Protected Status
A country that experiences turmoil or adverse conditions, like a epidemic, natural disaster, armed conflict, or other unusual circumstance, may not be safe for its returning nationals, or the country may be in a condition that makes it unequipped to handle them. Such a country may be assigned Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS permits foreign nationals in the U.S., whose home countries are unsafe, to remain in America temporarily. Our expert lawyers can help you secure a safer future in the U.S.
If you’re like many people, you need information on how to immigrate to the U.S. Whether you’re interested in coming to the United States to be with your family, you’d like to work here or you’re an employer that wants to bring in foreign talent, our Dallas and Houston immigration attorneys are here to help.
How to Immigrate to the United States
For many people, moving to the United States to start a new life seems out of reach – but often, it’s not. There are several ways to legally immigrate to the U.S., and nearly all of them begin with obtaining a visa.
Immigration to the U.S.: The Basics
As you explore how to immigrate to the U.S., you’ll discover that it’s a process. You must apply for – and the U.S. government must approve – a visa that lets you enter the country. There are two types of visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. If you intend to come to the U.S. to stay, even if you don’t intend to become a U.S. citizen, you’ll most likely need an immigrant visa.
How to Get a U.S. Visa
Before you can become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you’ll need an immigrant visa. Your Dallas or Houston immigration attorney can help you obtain one. Your visa will eventually enable you, if you choose, to apply for a green card; a green card shows that you’re a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and that you’re eligible to live and work anywhere in the country. The green card is your path to U.S. citizenship if you decide to pursue it.
If you don’t intend to become a permanent resident of the U.S., you can still visit, work or go to school here. However, you’ll need a nonimmigrant visa that shows your purpose in the country. For the most part, you can’t use a nonimmigrant visa to become a lawful permanent resident – but there are exceptions. Your attorney can tell you how to obtain a nonimmigrant visa that could lead to a green card.
Types of U.S. Green Cards
Most people can only qualify for a green card if they:
- Have qualifying family members in the U.S. or who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Work for an employer who is willing to sponsor them in the U.S.
- Are longtime residents of the U.S.
- Win the diversity lottery
- Are eligible for asylum or refugee status, or are a victim of human trafficking, abuse or crime
Family-Based Green Cards
The vast majority of green cards issued by the U.S. government are for family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Some eligible family members include:
- Spouses
- Widows and widowers
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
Many family members must wait for a spot to open up for a green card before they can receive one. However, spouses and children of U.S. citizens are not required to wait “in line” for a spot; as soon as they meet all eligibility requirements, they can apply for and receive a green card.
Employment-Based Green Cards
An employment-based green card usually begins with an EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 or EB-4 visa, although there are other types available. You can only get an employment-based green card if you work for an employer that is willing to sponsor your application, or if you demonstrate extraordinary abilities or specialized training in your field. Investors are often eligible for EB-5 visas, but those do require a substantial investment in a U.S. company. If you’re considering immigrating to the U.S. because of your work, it’s a good idea to talk to an immigration attorney who can help.
If you’re an employer that wants to bring in foreign talent, you will most likely be required to sponsor your workers. An attorney can help ensure you remain compliant with U.S. immigration law and that you meet all the requirements necessary to hire non-U.S. workers.
Longtime Residents of the U.S. Earning Green Cards
In some cases, green cards are available to people who have physically lived in the United States since at least January 1, 1972. You must have entered the U.S. before that date – and you must have remained in the U.S. since then – in order to be eligible. If that sounds like your situation, you should get in touch with a Dallas or Houston immigration attorney as soon as possible.
Diversity Lottery Green Cards
Each year, the U.S. government holds a “diversity lottery.” The lottery randomly awards up to 50,000 people with immigrant visas. However, you can only apply to participate in the lottery if you’re from one of several eligible countries.
Humanitarian Green Cards
The U.S. issues green cards for humanitarian reasons. If you qualify, you could get a green card:
- After seeking asylum in the U.S.
- After coming to the U.S. as a refugee
- If you are a victim of human trafficking
- If you are a victim of abuse
- If you are a crime victim
Other Types of Green Cards
There are a few other types of green cards available to “special immigrants,” including media professionals, religious workers, Iraq and Afghanistan nationals who worked with the U.S. government as translators, and some employees of international organizations. Additionally, green cards may be available to Cuban citizens and Native Americans who were born in Canada.
What is Family Immigration?
Family immigration refers to the process of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident bringing a family member to the United States. Only certain family members qualify. Spouses, unmarried children and parents count as immediate relatives for U.S. citizens, and so do spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents.
Learn more about green card marriage, K-1 Fiancé Visas, and the pros and cons of a green card
Other family members – including married children of any age and siblings – can only come if the petitioner is a U.S. citizen. If you’d like to sponsor family members to come to the United States, a Dallas or Houston immigration attorney may be able to help you.
Business Immigration for Dallas and Houston Companies
Employers are often allowed to bring foreign workers to the U.S. to fill open positions within a company. However, the process can be complicated – and employers must remain in compliance with U.S. immigration law. If you’d like to hire foreign workers, your best bet may be to work with an immigration attorney who understands how business immigration works.
Popular work visas include:
Learn more about employment visas in the USA »
Deportation Defense: What to Do When You’re in Removal Proceedings
Some people are ordered to leave the United States in a process formerly known as deportation. It’s important that you know you have the right to hire an attorney for deportation defense. If you’re in removal proceedings, we may be able to help you, so call our office immediately.
Learn More:
10 Facts About Illegal Immigration
Preparing for Deportation Defense
Is it Possible to Get Asylum in the U.S?
For some people, it’s possible to get asylum in the United States. However, you can only ask for asylum if you’re on U.S. soil or in a U.S. territory. If you’re currently outside the country and would like to seek protection in the United States, you will need to apply for refugee status. A qualified immigration attorney can help you understand what to do next.
Do You Need to Speak With a Dallas or Houston Immigration Attorney?
If you’d like to immigrate to the United States, or if you’re interested in helping a family member or employee come to the U.S., we may be able to assist you. Call our offices for a free consultation today.