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