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Your Guide to Immigration Law

Whether you’re hoping to become a U.S. citizen or fighting deportation, you’ll quickly find that immigration law is complex and often confusing. Thankfully, Richards & Richards Law Firm is here to help. Our Ogden, Utah-based law firm is dedicated to helping clients navigate the immigration process. For us, it’s personal—attorney Kevin G. Richards got involved with immigration law over 30 years ago when his wife emigrated from Brazil. Our green card lawyers have a unique understanding of all facts of immigration. We recognize the implications for families and individuals as they seek legal status in the United States. Learn more about how our immigration law group can make the process more straightforward.

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How Immigration Law Works

Immigration law is one of the most sought-out services we offer at our law firm. Too often, understanding immigration protocol is an uphill battle. In short, immigration laws work by providing a few different pathways to legal resident status in the United States. However, in practice, investigating the array of visas quickly becomes confusing. Most of the time, taking a family route is the quickest way for a prospective U.S. resident to receive a green card, but many others earn resident status thanks to their employer. Immigration law has many limitations as well, such as caps on the number of green cards that can be issued to citizens of a certain country. Even more frustrating, waiting times to receive a chance at citizenship can stretch for years. Because the law is so complicated, it’s crucial to work with a green card lawyer to get your loved ones into the United States.

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How We Can Help You Navigate Immigration

Whether you have a question about new immigration laws or want to explore your family-based options, working with an experienced attorney is paramount. The legal code is notoriously difficult to understand, and the team at Richards & Richards Law Firm, PLLC can help you better understand all possible avenues for immigration. We offer support during this complicated time and take care of the legal jargon. We’ll tailor our services to your unique case and present a solution customized to you. Our attorneys offer all the following services, and then some:

  • Gathering and filing immigration paperwork
  • Choosing an immigration avenue

Get Familiar With the Types of Immigration

The immigration system allows for various methods of entering the United States legally. While there are technically several options on the table, immigration laws are famously confusing. Oftentimes, finding your path to citizenship is overwhelming and disheartening. At Richards & Richards Law Firm, our spouse visa lawyers will look at your situation and recommend the type of immigration most likely to produce the best results. Our immigration law office can help you explore all these options for how to become a U.S. citizen:

Family-Based

Family is a top priority, whether we're talking about spouses, grandparents, or children. If you have a family member with U.S. citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status, you may be eligible for family-based immigration. This method takes into account your relationship to the U.S. resident and country of origin. Fiancé visas and petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings are common examples of family-based immigration measures. This type of immigration may also be called a petition for an alien relative.

Employment-Based

Non-U.S. residents who have secured work in the United States may be eligible for employment-based immigration. The H-1 visa is meant for professionals with at least a bachelor's degree, and the H-2 visa applies to non-professional workers. Other visas are issued to "individuals of extraordinary ability," entertainers, religious workers, students, and wealthy investors. Our small business lawyers have a clear understanding of this path to residency.

Naturalization

The end goal for most immigrants is U.S. citizenship. Our green card lawyers can help you better understand the application process and avoid common mistakes. While applying seems simple at first glance, there are plenty of ways to derail the complex process and reduce your chances of becoming a naturalized citizen.

Humanitarian

Non-citizens from very vulnerable situations may be eligible for humanitarian relief. This type of aid is often extended to refugees, victims of human trafficking, and people who are susceptible to violent crime in their country of origin.

What Is AOS?

AOS, or adjustment of status, is a term you may often hear as you work toward U.S. residency or citizenship. In brief, AOS is what we call the process for applying to become a permanent resident. Once the adjustment of status process is completed, the immigrant will no longer have to return to their country of origin for visa processing.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?

The process for becoming a U.S. citizen is known for being fraught with difficulties, especially considering how long it takes to get a green card. Most people can expect to wait at least two years for their green card, with many individuals needing to wait longer. Immigrants from countries like Mexico and China often have even longer wait times to deal with. At Richards & Richards Law Firm, we’ll make sure you’re updated on the timeline for your case.

Look to a Utah Immigration Lawyer for Help

If you’re wondering how to become a U.S. citizen with the least hassle, Richards & Richards Law Firm is here for you. No matter your circumstances, working with an experienced attorney is paramount. The legal code is notoriously difficult to understand, and our spouse visa lawyers can help you better understand all possible avenues for immigration. We offer support during this complicated time and take care of the legal jargon. We’ll tailor our services to your unique case and present a solution customized to you. Our attorneys take care of all the following on your behalf:

  • Gathering and filing immigration paperwork
  • Representing immigrants in court
  • Choosing an immigration avenue
  • Criminal defense, including defending clients against deportation
  • Defending clients detained by ICE

Meet With Our Green Card Lawyers Today

Getting a U.S. green card is no easy task, and you shouldn’t have to handle it alone. Whatever your circumstances, be sure to consult Ogden, Utah’s trusted immigration lawyers at Richards & Richards Law Firm. We have unparalleled expertise in these cases and would be glad to help you and your family. Contact us today for a consultation.

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Trust Us for These Practice Areas

Our expertise goes far beyond immigration laws and green cards. Throughout our decades of experience, we’ve worked with clients going through a divorce, fighting criminal charges, and planning for their small businesses. We’re a full-service law firm that can take on a slew of legal challenges. Choose us for all these practice areas:

We’re Here to Help! Call Us Today!