Legal Areas

Amber specializes in the following types of immigration cases:

Family-Based Immigation

Our law firm focuses on family-based immigration cases and waivers of inadmissibility. We help United States citizens and lawful permanent residents petition for lawful status for their spouses, fiancés, children, parents, and siblings. 

Fiance Petitions

Waivers

In some instances, immigrants must file and receive a waiver of inadmissibility before they are eligible for a grant of lawful permanent resident status. Our firm takes great pride in preparing detailed, comprehensive, and persuasive waiver applications. We work closely with our clients to prepare the applications and we have an excellent track record for getting waivers approved. 

Naturalization

We are always happy to help individuals file their applications to become United States Citizens. Eligibility to apply for naturalization begins 90 days before the applicant reaches his/her 3-year anniversary of lawful residency status (if you immigrated through a spouse) or 5-year anniversary (for all other categories). Citizenship applicants must pass both a civics exam and an English language test and swear an oath of allegiance to the United States. If an applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime or committed fraud in an immigration application, it is recommended to consult with an immigration attorney before applying for naturalization. 

I-360 Self-Petitions for Spouses

Spouses of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents may self- petition for lawful permanent residency if they are the victims of battery or extreme emotional cruelty. Individuals (men and women) who are in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship with a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident do not need to stay in that relationship to gain legal status in the United States. We will evaluate your case and work with you to prepare the I-360 self-petition and application for adjustment of status.   

Affirmative Asylum

We represent applicants in their affirmative asylum applications. Individuals may qualify for asylum if they were persecuted or fear they will be persecuted in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion and/or membership in a particular social group.  Our office has successfully represented individuals from Mexico, Guatemala, Laos, Zimbabwe, Burundi, and El Salvador in their asylum applications. Currently we have multiple cases assisting unaccompanied children from Central America receive asylum.    
US citizens may petition for their fiancés living abroad to enter the United States on a K visa for the purposes of marriage and receiving lawful permanent residency. Our firm assists in preparing not only the K visa forms, but also organizing and presenting a “bona fide relationship” packet to the US consulate. Once the K visa is approved, the fiancé may enter the US, get married to the US citizen petitioner, and apply for lawful permanent residency. 

U Visas

Our law firm assists victims of crimes and their qualifying family members apply for a U Visa. The U Visa allows victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement to receive permission to remain in the United States and eventually become lawful permanent residents. We work closely with the women’s shelters in San Luis Obispo county to identify victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who may qualify for this program. One of the benefits of the U Visa process is the ability to waive almost all past immigration and criminal violations.  

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Immigrant youth under the age of 21 may be eligible to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). SIJS is a pathway to lawful permanent residency for undocumented minors who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent and it is not in their best interest to return to their home country. Amber has extensive experience appearing in state court to request SIJS orders and filing these petitions with USCIS.  Amber is currently the only immigration attorney located in San Luis Obispo County who is helping youth apply for this much needed relief