IMMIGRATION SERVICES
Consultations for non-citizens facing criminal charges
Our firm works to prevent people from becoming deportable as a result of pleading guilty or no contest to criminal offenses. If you or someone you know is facing charges in criminal court (or you represent someone who is facing criminal charges- please see our Information for Attorneys page Under services), and that person is not a United States citizen, you should consult with an immigration attorney BEFORE you enter into any agreement to plead guilty or no contest.
Sometimes something that seems like a very minor offense can make a non-citizen deportable from the United States. Michael K. Mehr is a nationally-recognized expert in the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and can work with you, your family member or friend, and your criminal defense attorney, to try to keep you from being deported as a result of a criminal conviction.
Family–based Immigration Visas
Isabel Soto handles applications for immigrant visas (“greencards” or “residency” ) for people who have been petitioned by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member. If you want to file a visa petition for a family member, or you want more information about filing petitions or obtaining lawful permanent residency in the United States, please contact us for a consultation appointment, or call (831) 425-5757.
Naturalization
A lawful permanent resident of the United States who wants to become a United States citizen should always consult with an immigration attorney before applying for naturalization (citizenship). There may be circumstances (like criminal convictions or other circumstances) which could make a lawful permanent resident deportable from the United States.
Filing a citizenship application when one of those circumstances is present could make immigration authorities put you in removal (deportation) proceedings to try to remove you from the United States. It is best to know before filing any application whether you might have a problem. If you want to file an application for naturalization (citizenship) please contact us for a consultation appointment, or call (831) 425-5757.
Applications for greencard renewal or replacement
If you have lost your residency card or it is expired or going to expire and you are thinking about applying for a new one, you should consult with an immigration attorney before filing your application. There may be circumstances (like criminal convictions or other circumstances) which could make a lawful permanent resident deportable from the United States. Filing an application for a new greencard when one of those circumstances is present could make immigration authorities put you in removal (deportation) proceedings to try to remove you from the United States. It is best to know before filing any application whether you might have a problem. If you want to file an application for a new greencard, please contact us for a consultation appointment, or call (831) 425-5757.
Post-Conviction Relief and Collateral Consequences
Our firm assists noncitizens whose criminal convictions may impact their immigration status. For clients who are facing criminal charges or who already have convictions, we can work with you and your criminal defense attorney to reduce or eliminate the immigration consequences of those cases.
In certain situations, we can: Prepare collateral consequences letters to inform the criminal court about how a conviction could affect immigration status. Pursue post-conviction relief (PCR) in criminal court to challenge or vacate convictions that create immigration problems.
If you or your family member or friend is not a citizen of the United States and is facing criminal charges or has prior convictions, please contact us for a consultation appointment, or call (831) 425-5757.
Our office works with detained clients as well as non-detained clients. If you or your family member or friend is facing criminal charges and is not a citizen of the United States, please contact us for a consultation with Attorney Mike Mehr
Consultations before traveling outside the United States
There are certain situations in which a person living in the United States with a valid visa (immigrant visa or temporary visa) can face being deported simply by leaving the United States and attempting to come back, even after a very brief trip. This is especially true if there are any criminal convictions, but applies to other situations as well. It is best to know before leaving the United States if any of these situations might apply to you. If you want a consultation about filing an application for naturalization (citizenship), contact us or call (831) 425-5757.
