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Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valley

Immigration & American Citizenship

Our immigration systems and laws are constantly changing and require an in-depth understanding of what the most recent changes are and how to adjust to them. With thousands of resolved-cases under our belt, we are more than ready to represent you through this never ending maze of laws and regulations. Whether you need help in obtaining a permanent residency, American citizenship, work permits, business/work visas, immigration waivers or an immigration bond to have a loved one released, you can count on us. Our firm is distinguished as the lead immigration firm in all of the Rio Grande Valley and we have the references to back it up. We have one countless amount of immigration cases before the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Consulate, Deportation Court (EOIR) and the Board Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Everyone has an American Dream. Many are unsure as to how to approach their dream but there are countless options implemented for those seeking legal status. Whether your immigration process can be started immediately, or you are having to wait a bit longer, everyone’s path begins with advice. The process to citizenship, permanent residency, or even to petition on behalf of hardships faced previously, can all begin as soon as you consult with an attorney. As you make this choice and move forward with your process you will find yourself gaining endless benefits and slowly letting go of the continuous fear that is deportation.

Immigration processes are constantly changing. Laws are continuously being passed and new executive orders come and go as they please. It may be difficult to understand the initial requirements and once these changes come into place it can bring understanding to a new level of difficulty.

At The Law Office of Alex Martinez – Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valley , our Attorney, Alex Martinez has over 10 years of experience and has successfully carried out many immigration procedures. He finds joy in guiding his clients from beginning to end of their process and making them feel comfortable and confident throughout the course of their procedure.

Mr. Martinez has many areas of expertise, some procedures include:

• CITIZENSHIP
  • Naturalization
  • Acquisition of Citizenship
• FAMILY
  • Adjustment of status- Lawful Entry, 245-I Protection
  • Consular Processing
  • Waivers 601 and 601A
  • Parole in Place
• BUSINESS AND WORK VISAS
  • TN Visa-Professionals NAFTA
  • E2- Business Visa Investor
  • E1- Business Visa Import and Export International Traders
• HUMANITARIAN VISA
  • VAWA- Domestic Violence Victims
  • U-Visa- Victims of certain crimes
• RENEWALS

Citizenship
The path to citizenship may be right at your fingertips. Citizenship can grant you countless benefits such as voting, no deportation, and benefits for your loved ones. Whether you are contemplating if the Naturalization process is for you or you don’t know where your citizenship process begins, Attorney Alex Martinez can guide you. Each process has its own requirements and details. The road to citizenship may be smoother than expected.

Naturalization
Naturalization is a popular and smooth-sailing process when seeking citizenship. If you have obtained your legal permanent residency and wish to embark on the path to citizenship, here are some requirements you may be asked upon consultation with your immigration attorney.

• Being 18 years of age at the time of filing N-400
• Must have been a permanent resident in the United States for a minimum of 5 years or only 3 years if permanent residency was obtained through spouse
• Must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for required time
• Be able to read, write and speak basic English
• Have a basic understanding of United States History and Government
• Demonstrate good moral character

These requirements are a general idea on what is to be expected upon consultation, however, details may change depending on each individual situation. This process is expected to range from approximately 3 to 9 months and has a government-imposed fee of $725.
Attorney Alex Martinez will guide and clearly explain every document, detail, and progress update as your case flows. Mr. Martinez has successfully naturalized thousands of legal permanent residents through dedication to his clients and his determination to bring them the best outcome.

Acquisition of Citizenship
Acquisition of Citizenship is defined as children, born outside of the United States, obtain citizenship through U.S. Citizen parents. The two general ways to obtain citizenship through U.S. Citizen birth parents are at the time of birth, or after birth but before the age of 18. The law imposed at the time of the child’s birth determines whether he/she is a citizen at the time of birth. There is no one way to determine your qualifications, however, there is a general list of requirements many individuals can use to get an initial idea on their stance.

• Child is under 18 years of age
• At least one parent is a U.S. Citizen, by birth or naturalization
• The U.S. Citizen parent has lived in the U.S. for a period of time
• The child is a lawful permanent resident
• The child is residing in the United States and is in the legal custody of the U.S. Citizen parent

These being the general requirements, details to your case are subject to change depending on your situation. Throughout the course of your procedure, Attorney Alex Martinez – Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valley will assess and connect your situation with the law and explain your options clearly. Upon doing so, he will make sure your process sails smoothly and you obtain citizenship quickly.

Contact us today for your first consultation.

Family

Obtaining permanent residency through a family member can be the first step into citizenship. Many people are not aware that this option is made available to them, therefore, they do not jump on the opportunity towards becoming a citizen. The immigration system has options placed for individuals with family members that qualify to grant them the benefits. These processes vary in requirements and consulting with an immigration attorney to gain clarification is recommended.

Adjustment of Status
The Adjustment of Status process is for all those seeking to gain legal permanent residency and have a relation or situation to a family member that makes them eligible to begin this process. The Adjustment of Status one of the procedures of choice for individuals already residing in the United States. There are a number of ways in which you can qualify to apply for permanent residency through a family member and each have more details that accompany.
For instance, you may be eligible if you are:

• Immediate family of a U.S. Citizen
• Relative of a U.S. Citizen (Has Additional Specifications)
• Fiancée(e) of a U.S. Citizen
• Child of a U.S. Citizen’s Fiancée (e)
• Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen
• Victim of Domestic Abuse from U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident

Each circumstance is different. You may qualify under these situations; however, each eligibility category has additional details your immigration attorney will explain and guide you through. At The Law Office of Alex Martinez, Mr. Martinez has assisted many individuals with their Adjustment of Status process. He has over 10 years of experience in the field and is sure to give you the outcome you want and deserve.

Consular Processing
Consular Process is the manner in which you may obtain Lawful Permanent Residency through a family member if you currently reside outside of the united states or live inside the country but entered unlawfully. It is important to understand when Consular Processing is preferable, or the only option as opposed to an adjustment of status. Choosing the wrong option frequently results in a long stressful and expensive journey that normally ends in removal proceedings. While the process of adjustment of status is normally quicker, consular processing has a much lower rate of refusal.

When consulting with your immigration attorney, they will guide and advise you of which option grants you more benefits. At The Law Office of Alex Martinez, Mr. Martinez will act in your best interest and maintain clear communication of any updates and requirements of your case. With Attorney Alex Martinez, your Consular Processing case is guaranteed to flow smoothly and result in obtaining your Legal Permanent Residency.

Waivers – 601/601A
The word “waiver” is just a fancy way to say “forgiven” or “perdonado” as it is translated into Spanish. A Waiver can be used to overcome many points of inadmissibility including living in the country unlawfully, misrepresenting information to the U.S. government, certain criminal acts among many other aspects that may cause you to have your application for residency denied.

The most common type of waiver is for purposes of overcoming what is known as the 3 or 10 year bar to obtaining permanent residency as result of living in the country without permission. The three-year bar applies when you have lived in the U.S. for over 6 months but less than a year and then departed the country. The ten-year bar applies when you have lived in the country for over a year and then departed. In these circumstances the Waiver should be filed either prior to the departure for purpose of attending the consular interview for permanent residency, also known as a 601-A Provisional Waiver or, in the alternative, after the departure while in your country of origin also known as a traditional 601 Waiver. It is also important to know that you may not qualify to apply for a Waiver if you have entered illegally into the country after you have accumulated the unlawful presence and departed unless you wait for 10 years outside the U.S.

In order to qualify for a Waiver, you must be able to prove the following:

• You have an American or Legal Permanent Resident parent or spouse
• And that relative will suffer an extreme amount of hardship if you are denied the opportunity to live in the U.S. along his or her side.

The preparation of a Waiver packet is not as simple as it may sound, and experience makes a huge difference. Understanding what the immigration or consular officer is looking for to approve your application is the key to success. Attorney Alex Martinez – Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valley has processed hundreds of waivers successfully and has learned the best techniques to have his clients have the highest chance of approval.

Parole in Place
If you are the qualifying family member of an individual who previously or in present time, serves in the U.S. Military, you may qualify for legal benefits through this loved one. Parole in Place serves as an option to the families of military personnel that wish to obtain a work permit OR Lawful Permanent Residency. Parole in Place can be granted to the spouses, parents, or unmarried children under the age of 21.
In order to obtain residency through this benefit, you must first obtain Parole in Place. There are certain requirements that your immigration attorney will guide you through in order to begin adjusting your status such as:

• Evidence of relationship to the U.S. citizen military service member (Ex: a copy of a birth or marriage certificate)
• Evidence that the qualifying family member is an active duty member, previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces, or is in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve
• Any additional beneficial evidence that you wish to have USCIS take into consideration, (Ex: personal education, letters from community leaders showing your involvement)

Each requirement will be reviewed and clearly explained by your immigration attorney as your process begins and throughout the course of time as it is completed. The Law Office of Alex Martinez will be with you every step of the way and advise you of each of your opportunities. Mr. Martinez will use his 10 years of experience to act in your best interest and to grant you Lawful Permanent Residency.

Business and Work Visas

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have implemented options for individuals who wish to travel to the U.S. for business purposes. These processes give opportunities to an array of professions as well as family and employees of those applying. These options are simply for work opportunities. If you are searching to adjust your status through a work visa you will want to contact an immigration attorney for more guidance on the path you should take.

TN VISA- NAFTA PROFESSIONALS

Trade National Visas (TN Visas) serve as a source of legal opportunity for those wishing to obtain opportunity to work in the United States. The North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) arranged special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This allows qualified Mexican and Canadian citizens to be granted temporary entrance into the United States for the purpose of engaging in business activities at the professional level. Commonly known professions that qualify include:

• Accountants
• Engineers
• Lawyers
• Pharmacists
• Scientists
• Teachers
• Medical Experts
• Management Consultants

In order to qualify, there are requirements that vary between Mexican and Canadian citizens seeking this entry. Through a TN Visa, family such as spouses and children may qualify to accompany the employee or employer moving to the United States. The process a family member will need to follow is known as TN Dependents (TD Status).
At the Law Office of Alex Martinez, our immigration attorney, Alex Martinez will work towards granting you a desired outcome. The process is made clear, simple, and quick through the guidance of a skilled immigration attorney.

E2-Treaty Investor
An E2 Visa is made available to individuals of an eligible United States treaty country to gain entrance to the U.S. for business purposes. An E2 Visa allows people looking to invest a solid amount into a United States business to temporarily live in the United States for work.
You may individually file for this benefit or an employer may do it on your behalf. There are qualifications implemented for employees applying for an E2 Visa such as:

• Be a national of a country the United States maintains treaty with
• Be actively investing or have previously invested a significant amount of capital into a United States business
• Be seeking to enter the United States only for purpose of developing and directing an investment enterprise.

To properly understand these qualifications, it is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney. Attorney Alex Martinez- Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valleyhas over 10 years of experience and has brought wanted outcomes to many individuals. His work ethic and clarity will be a key factor in the success of your case.

E1-Treaty Trader
An E1 Visa is an option made available to individuals who wish to gain entry to the United States in order to engage in international trading business. If you wish to gain entry for this category of work purposes, you may be eligible for an E1 Visa.

An E1 may allow you to travel to the United States and bring any dependents or essential employees along with you. Immediate family may qualify such as a spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21. If you wish to bring essential employees, they will be evaluated under required characteristics that will determine the vital level of their role.
In order to qualify, the following are general characteristics the United States and Immigration Services require:

• Be a national of a country the United States maintains treaty with
• Carry on a considerable amount of trade
• Carry on principle trade between the United States and treaty country

Our immigration attorney at The Law Office of Alex Martinez will evaluate and explore any options in regard to your case. Alex Martinez will guide you through each obstacle and assures you a more promising outcome.

Humanitarian Visa

Humanitarian is defined as “having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.” A humanitarian visa serves as an aid to individuals facing extreme cruelty during their time in the United States. If granted the opportunity to a humanitarian visa, there is a procedure and an array of qualifications that your immigration attorney will help you prove. Because the details of these cases may get slightly complicated, it is recommended you receive guidance from a skilled immigration attorney.

VAWA- Violence Against Women’s Act
It has been known throughout the United States that many victims of domestic violence decide to avoid speaking out due to no legal status. In some instances, the abuser has promised legal status to the victim and threatens deportation in order to buy the victim’s silence. If this is anything like your situation or the situation of someone you know, there are options placed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for domestic violence victims.
The Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) is the process in which victims of these cases can seek legal status through being subjected to any sort of abuse. This process can be completed without the abuser being notified. This opportunity is not only granted to woman, but men as well. You may qualify if you are the spouse, parent, or child of a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.

• You must be legally married to a US Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident if abused by spouse
• You entered marriage with good faith if abused by spouse
• You are the parent of a US Citizen child who is at least 21 years of age when the petition is filed if abused by son or daughter
• You are a child to a US Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident if abused by parent
• You suffered battery or any sort of physical or mental abuse by a US Citizen if abused by child
• You suffered battery or any sort of physical or mental abuse by US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident if abused by parent or spouse
• You have resided with your abuser
• You are a person of good moral character

While these are the general requirements for a VAWA process, it is still recommended to consult with an expert on your case. The Law Office of Alex Martinez has successfully handled many VAWA procedures and brought light to many individuals that lost hope. Our immigration attorney will guide and serve you through this process in order to grant you desired legal status and freedom from abuse.

U-Visa
The process of a U-Visa is sought by individuals who have been victims of mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist with the criminal investigation while in the United States. This option was implemented to benefit both law enforcement in prosecuting and investigating crimes as well as allowing immigrants to gain legal status.
Qualifying for a U-Visa process may be complicated to understand. Seeking expert advice is highly recommended to clarify personal circumstances. Some general requirements of a U-Visa process include:

• You are the victim of qualifying criminal activity.
• You have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of qualifying criminal activity.
• You have information about the criminal activity. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may possess the information about the crime on your behalf.
• You were helpful, are helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. If you are under the age of 16 or unable to provide information due to a disability, a parent, guardian, or next friend may assist law enforcement on your behalf.
  The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.

Crimes Eligible for U Visa
• Stalking
• Assault with a weapon
• Sexual assault
• Murder
• Blackmail
• Sexually abusive acts
• Illegal detention
• Sexual exploitation
• Extortion
• Fraud in hiring foreign labor
•Involuntary manslaughter
• Incest
• Manipulation of witnesses
• Female genital mutilation
• Obstruction of justice
• Perjury
• Prostitution
• Unlawful restraint
• Kidnapping
• Involuntary servitude
• Hostage taking
• Torture
•Forced labor
•Human trafficking
• Rape
• Domestic violence

At the Law Office of Alex Martinez -Immigration Attorney in the Rio Grande Valley, Mr. Martinez has brought success to victims of crimes in the United States. While being afraid to embark on this process might be the case, end results will benefit your legal status and well-being. When contacting Alex Martinez, you are sure to feel safe, reassured, and positive through your entire path to residency.

VAWA Cancellation
The VAWA Cancellation of Removal is designed for victims of domestic abuse to defeat their deportation charges. If the Cancellation of Removal is successful, the order results in the victims gaining Lawful Permanent Residency.
To qualify for this relief, some general qualifications the applicant must prove include:

• Victim must prove they have been subjected to extreme physical or mental suffering by a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent
• Victim has been physically present in the United States for a minimum period of 3 years prior to VAWA Cancellation of Removal process
• Victim’s removal will cause extreme hardships and bring a high level of emotional despair to family

There are additional requirements that must be met to begin this process. At The Law Office of Alex Martinez, Mr. Martinez will point you in the right direction through your application process and carefully explain all details of your case. You will be led with care towards a successful outcome in your VAWA Cancellation process.

Renewals

At The Law Office of Alex Martinez, our attorney, Alex Martinez, has developed an area of expertise in handling renewals. Beginning a renewal will grant you the opportunity to roam freely without running the risk of complications due to expired or invalid paperwork. The renewal process for each individual procedure varies in requirements, therefore it is highly recommended to discuss your situation with our immigration attorney.

The Law Office of Alex Martinez assists in renewing various procedures, including:

• DACA Renewal
• TN Renewal
• E2 Renewal
• E1 Renewal
• Green Card Renewal
• Passport Renewal
• Work permits

These procedures require various documentation and evidence in which Mr. Martinez and his team will assist you. Completing a renewal process can be challenging and confusing, however, receiving advice from Attorney Alex Martinez will allow an easier and quicker path in your renewal process.

We are happy to offer legal services to clients who live in Rio Grande City, McAllen, Mission,

Edinburg, Pharr, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Mercedes, Harlingen, Brownsville, or anywhere in between.

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