Would you or a family member like to legally live, work or go to school in the United States? Do you have a relative or friend facing deportation proceedings? Are you or someone you know trying to earn a green card and someday become a United States Citizen?
The immigration attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo are committed to serving all of your immigration needs, including, but not limited to:
- Naturalization and Citizenship
- Green Card/Permanent Residence
- Deportation and Removal Defense
- Detention and Bond
- Asylum
- Adjustment of Status
- Visas
- Work Permits
- Citizenship and Naturalization
The most common way to become a United States Citizen is through naturalization. You may be eligible to receive U.S. citizenship if:
- You are a foreign national with 5 years’ permanent residence in the U.S. and at least half that time you were physically present inside the U.S. with no periods of absence over six months.
- You are a permanent resident for 3 years, who is currently married to a U.S. citizen, and has been married to the same U.S. citizen for the past 3 years.
- You have served in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least three years.
- You performed active duty military service in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam or Persian Gulf.
- You were married to a U.S. citizen who died during a period of honorable active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- You served on a vessel operated by the U.S. and have been a permanent U.S. resident for the past five years.
- You are an employee or person under contract to the U.S. Government and have been a U.S. permanent resident for the past five years.
- You are a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the U.S., and have been a permanent U.S. resident for the past five years.
- You are a spouse of a U.S. citizen who is one of the following: a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, an employee of an American institute of research recognized by the Attorney General, an employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty, an employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade or commerce for the United States, a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the U.S., and have been a permanent U.S. resident for the past five years.
Most people do not know their rights.
Detained and face deportation proceedings? Want to know your rights?
“Very good attention from the lawyers and the staff. They will respond at any time you need them and with the facility of speaking Spanish. Very professional and have always offered me good guidance in immigration matters. I am really grateful with the staff of Lorenzo & Lorenzo P.A.”
Deportation and Removal Proceedings
If you or a loved one face deportation or removal proceedings, your life could be changed forever. You may lose the ability to stay with your friends and family, maintain employment, and life with the freedoms provided in the United States. In this situation, you need effective representation immediately. The immigration attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo strive to provide you with effective personal representation against deportation proceedings throughout Tampa, Florida.
Typically, there are four broad categories that serve as grounds for deportation:
- Entering the country without proper authority such as a valid visa.
- “Status Violations” which occur when an immigrant violates their terms of admission or works illegally in the United States.
- Persons with criminal convictions or membership in certain prohibited organizations.
- An individual’s application for asylum has been denied.
Immigrating to the United States is the dream of a lifetime for many people around the world. Each year, however, this dream is jeopardized for thousands through deportation proceedings. The Immigration and Nationality Act divides deportation matters into two categories: inadmissibility and removal proceedings. Deportation based on inadmissibility prohibits a person from entering the United States, whereas removal proceedings force individuals already in the U.S., legally or illegally, to leave the country.
There are several forms of relief that are available when facing deportation proceedings: asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, deferral of removal, waivers under section 212(c), 212(h), 212(I), and others. Each one has its own requirements that need to be met and are strictly enforced. You also need to show “discretionary eligibility,” which means that you meet the requirements of relief sought and you also deserve the type of relief.
