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Immigration laws in the United States and Florida are constantly changing and evolving. Moreover, many of these laws are very convoluted and are extremely difficult to comprehend. If you are attempting to obtain a visa or naturalization for yourself or one of your family members, it is essential that you have an experienced attorney guiding you throughout the process, submitting the necessary documents on your behalf, and representing you at immigration court proceedings throughout your case.

The skilled legal team of Florida Keys immigration attorneys at Reed Palacios Law can assist you with every step of the immigration process, from obtaining a green card or student visa to becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Our knowledgeable team will be able to answer all of your questions and help you obtain the result that you need.

For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer, please call us at 305-686-2435 or contact us online to learn more.

Florida Keys Immigration Attorney Services

When it comes to immigration matters, it is very important that you have an experienced attorney in your corner every step of the way. A skilled immigration attorney at Reed Palacios Law may be able to assist you with all the following:

Naturalization Law

For an individual to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, they must first meet several different eligibility requirements, including the following:

  • Attaining at least 18 years of age when filing their petition for naturalization
  • Being a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Having legal permanent resident status in the U.S. for a period of five years before submitting their application

Green Cards

A green card allows a permanent United States resident the authorization to work and live in the country. Individuals who are interested in applying for a green card must also fit within one or more eligibility categories, including:

  • Special immigrant
  • Family
  • Employment
  • Registry
  • Victims of abuse
  • Refugee or asylee
  • Crime victims and human trafficking

Family-based Immigration

Citizens of a foreign country who want to permanently reside in the United States must hold an immigrant visa – or IV. To apply for an immigrant visa, an immediate relative has to sponsor the foreign citizen. In addition, the relative must satisfy certain legal requirements, including:

  • Being a minimum of 21 years old
  • Being a current green card holder or a citizen of the United States

Non-immigrant visas

Non-immigrant visas allow individuals to remain in the United States for various purposes. Two of the most common non-immigrant visas are work visas and student visas. These visas allow non-citizens to reside in the U.S. for employment purposes or to attend school, such as at a college or university.

Adjustment of Status

In certain situations, an individual may be able to apply for permanent resident status (i.e., a green card) when they physically reside in the United States. By pursuing an adjustment of status, that individual may not have to return to their original country of citizenship in order to apply for a visa and go through the entire (often lengthy) process.

U.S. Immigration Law

The majority of immigration laws in the United States are convoluted, complex, and difficult to comprehend. Consequently, you should have an experienced Key West immigration attorney assist you with every step of your legal matter.

Immigration law in the United States is grounded in the United States Code (U.S.C.). This federal statute provides the legal framework for obtaining a visa for various purposes, obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the U.S., becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, and defending against deportation.

Visas allow an individual to remain in the U.S. for various purposes. Some of the most common types of visas include:

  • Tourist visas, which allow individuals to enter the U.S. for short-term travel needs
  • Business visas, which permit an individual to come to the U.S. to participate in business negotiations or meetings, write contracts, or attend conferences
  • Work visas, which allow an individual to enter the U.S. for purposes of work and employment
  • Student visas, which allow the visa holder to remain in the U.S. to study at a college, university, or other educational institution
A lawful permanent resident, on the other hand, is ordinarily an individual who holds a “green card.” A green card allows someone from another country the legal right to enter and remain in the United States – and to reside there permanently. To obtain a green card, an individual will typically need to complete a minimum of two forms, including Form I-485 (i.e., the green card application) and an immigrant petition. In most situations, another individual has to sponsor the immigrant’s petition and file it for them. Possible ways of obtaining a green card for permanent residency status include the following:
  • A job with an employer who’s located within the U.S.
  • Visa lottery
  • Family relationships (including marriage)

Individuals who are lawful permanent residents might also be able to pursue naturalization – or citizenship – after they have resided in the U.S. for a certain period of time. To become a naturalized citizen, a person will typically need to:

  • Prepare an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400)
  • Submit the form and pay all the necessary fees
  • Attend a biometrics appointment, if necessary
  • Attend the required interview
  • Obtain a decision from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  • Obtain a notice to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States
  • Attend the required ceremony and take the required oath

The U.S.C. also establishes various laws pertaining to deportation defense. Depending upon the circumstances, individuals may be able to avoid deportation and remain in the U.S. by:

  • Adjusting their status (i.e., to that of a permanent resident)
  • Applying for a waiver
  • Applying for asylum
  • Filing an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals
Our legal team could help you handle your immigration issue and pursue the result you need to stay in the United States legally.

Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Attorney

When it comes to handling immigration matters in the Florida Keys, you want a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney advocating for you every step of the way. Federal statutes and immigration laws can be extremely difficult to navigate, and the language in these statutes is often full of “legalese” and hard-to-understand concepts. Moreover, if you make a mistake during the immigration process – or if you mistakenly submit the incorrect form – it can seriously delay your ability to obtain a visa, green card, or other desired result. To avoid serious mistakes and delays, it is important that you consult with a lawyer as quickly as possible.

At Reed Palacios Law, our legal team could help you submit the necessary forms in a timely manner and advise you on the specific actions that you need to take in your case. Moreover, we could represent you in all legal proceedings that take place at an immigration court and aggressively advocate on your behalf. If the U.S. government has threatened you with deportation, we could also help you file the necessary appeal or take other legal action on your behalf in a timely manner.

How to Choose an Immigration Attorney

When retaining someone to represent you during your immigration proceeding, you obviously want a lawyer who has significant experience with the immigration process.

You also want an attorney on your side who has a good legal reputation in the community. You want a lawyer on your side who is responsive, who will explain all of your legal options clearly, who will answer all of your questions in a timely manner, and who charges a reasonable fee.

At Reed Palacios Law, our experienced immigration lawyers could help you obtain the result you need as efficiently as possible. We pride ourselves on thorough, result-oriented legal representation and will tailor our approach to your specific immigration needs.

Secure Your Future With a Trusted Florida Keys Immigration Attorney

If you currently have a pending immigration issue, it is important that you retain a skilled attorney as quickly as possible. When it comes to visa and citizenship petitions, time deadlines are very important. If you make a mistake or fail to file a document in a timely manner, you may inadvertently cause significant delays in the process. The best way to streamline the process is to retain experienced legal counsel in your case as quickly as possible.

The knowledgeable legal team at Reed Palacios Law can aggressively fight for your legal rights and interests and assist you with every step of the immigration process.

For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer, please call us at 305-686-2435 or contact us online today.

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