Immigration Law

A Green Card allows a person to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Depending on the case, eligibility may be based on marriage, a qualifying family relationship, employment, humanitarian relief, or another immigration category.

Our attorneys assist with both Adjustment of Status for individuals applying from inside the United States and Consular Processing for individuals completing the immigrant visa process abroad.

For family-based cases, our office can assist with forms and supporting documents including Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative; Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; Form I-864, Affidavit of Support; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents; and Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, when applicable. Form I-485 is the application used by eligible individuals physically present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence.

Asylum may be available to individuals who have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Our office represents clients in both affirmative asylum cases before USCIS and defensive asylum cases before the Immigration Court. The principal application is Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, which may also include requests for withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture when appropriate.

Our attorneys assist with preparing the I-589, detailed personal declarations, country-condition evidence, witness statements, supporting records, employment authorization applications, interview preparation, and representation at asylum interviews and Immigration Court hearings.

Naturalization is the process through which an eligible lawful permanent resident applies to become a United States citizen. The primary application is Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Our office reviews eligibility before filing, including issues involving continuous residence, physical presence, extended travel outside the United States, taxes, criminal history, prior immigration filings, selective service, and good moral character.

We prepare the N-400 and supporting documentation and help clients prepare for the USCIS interview, English examination, and civics examination. Where a qualifying medical condition prevents an applicant from meeting the English or civics requirements, we can also assist with cases involving Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. USCIS specifically provides for Form N-648 in qualifying naturalization cases.

Our attorneys can also evaluate whether a person may already have acquired or derived U.S. citizenship rather than needing to apply through naturalization.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is an immigration classification available to certain unmarried children under 21 who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or subjected to a similar basis under state law by one or both parents and who meet the other statutory requirements.

SIJS cases generally involve two separate stages. First, the child must obtain a qualifying order from a state court containing the findings required under federal immigration law. In Massachusetts, this may involve a guardianship, custody, parentage, dependency, or other appropriate Probate and Family Court or Juvenile Court proceeding.

After obtaining the required state-court findings, our office prepares Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, requesting Special Immigrant Juvenile classification from USCIS. USCIS identifies Form I-360 as the petition used to request SIJ classification.

Once an immigrant visa is available and the child is otherwise eligible, we can also assist with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and related applications such as Form I-765 for employment authorization.

Our attorneys coordinate both the Massachusetts court proceeding and the immigration portion of the case so that the required state-court findings and USCIS filings are consistent.

Cases involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement may include arrest or detention by ICE, removal proceedings, bond proceedings, reporting requirements, or defense against deportation before the Immigration Court.

Our attorneys represent individuals in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review and can enter an appearance using Form EOIR-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative Before the Immigration Court. Depending on the individual's circumstances, available relief may include Form I-589 for asylum and withholding of removal, Form EOIR-42A for cancellation of removal for certain lawful permanent residents, Form EOIR-42B for cancellation of removal for certain nonpermanent residents, or Form I-485 for adjustment of status when legally available. EOIR currently lists each of these forms for use in Immigration Court proceedings.

For detained individuals, our office can evaluate eligibility for a bond hearing, prepare supporting evidence, and represent the individual before the Immigration Judge. We also handle motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, motions to terminate or dismiss proceedings where appropriate, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals using Form EOIR-26 when necessary.

Because removal cases vary significantly depending on immigration history, manner of entry, family relationships, criminal history, prior orders, and available forms of relief, our attorneys review the complete immigration record before determining the appropriate defense strategy.