Gastonia Immigration Lawyer

Immigration Attorney in Gastonia, NC

Immigrating to the United States can bring a world of opportunities. Having a Gastonia immigration lawyer on your side can make the process of naturalizing or otherwise obtaining legal status in North Carolina easier.

Trust Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC

Whether you need help navigating the complex process of filing paperwork to support your legal immigration to the US or you’re already here and are in a detention center facing potential deportation, you can trust the team here at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, to protect your rights and provide you with aggressive representation. We’ve handled all sorts of immigration cases. We can take on yours, too.

Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

A total of 7,160 people in the Gastonia area became naturalized citizens in 2023. Overall, 9.2% of North Carolina’s population is foreign-born, and 43.5% of those who immigrated to the Tarheel State from other countries are already naturalized citizens.

If you’re looking to join the ranks of North Carolina’s naturalized citizens, it will be easier to do so if you hire an immigration lawyer. Your immigration lawyer can anticipate any challenges you may face and tailor a plan that aligns with your goals. They can help you:

• Apply for a visa
• Fill out USCIS forms
• Overcome unexpected obstacles
• Plan strategically for approval
• Proactively manage risk
• Monitor your application

Your lawyer can also represent you in interviews and hearings, advocating on your behalf throughout the legal process.

Understanding Immigrant Visas

The type of immigrant visa you may qualify for depends on your specific case. Your lawyer can help you determine whether it’s appropriate to file for:

• A family-based visa
• An employment visa
• A diversity visa
• A special immigrant visa

Each of these circumstances will require filling out a different set of paperwork.

Applying for a Green Card

A green card is the informal term for an identification card that gives you permanent resident status as a non-citizen in the US. You can only apply for a green card after five years of residency in most cases, though the timeframe can be shortened to three years if you’re married to a US citizen.

As with immigration visas, there are several ways to get a green card. All of them allow holders to legally live and work in the country, provided they comply with the conditions required for the status. You can obtain a green card via:

• Family sponsorship. If you have a family member who is a US citizen, they can sponsor a parent, spouse, or an unmarried child under 21 for an immediate green card.
• Employer sponsorship. Companies can also sponsor immigrants for their green cards. The company must pay you the prevailing wage for the industry, and you must prove that you have the requisite skills to complete the job.
• Refuge/asylum. People who enter the US as refugees or asylum seekers can apply for green cards after 1 year in the country.

Obtaining a green card can be difficult. It’s easier to complete this challenging, often opaque, undertaking with the help of an immigration attorney.

Work Authorizations

Whether you want to work at CaroMont Health or US Cotton, you’ll need a work authorization if you don’t have a work visa. Work authorizations are usually assigned while other work visa applications are being processed. People who may need to apply for a work authorization include:

• Asylum seekers
• Students seeking certain types of work
• People seeking to adjust to legal permanent resident status
• Those seeking temporary protected status
• Fiancés of US citizens

If you have a green card or a non-immigrant visa that authorizes you to work for specific employers, you won’t need to apply for work authorization.

Detained by ICE?

If you arrived at the border without a valid visa, have an outstanding deportation record, or have missed hearing dates, you could be detained. Don’t assume you will automatically be deported. There are steps you can take to plead your case before an immigration judge. Having a lawyer can improve your chances of a positive outcome during this hearing.

FAQs

Is It Worth Using an Immigration Lawyer?

It is worth using an immigration lawyer. Immigration laws can be complicated, and you need every resource you can get to help you understand and ensure that you are following them to avoid deportation. Your lawyer can identify potential issues with paperwork and address them, giving you a better chance of a successful outcome.

Should You Tell Your Immigration Lawyer Everything?

You should tell your immigration lawyer everything. Full disclosure is necessary for them to build a strong case, prevent surprises, and provide effective legal counsel. Anything you say to your lawyer is protected under the attorney-client privilege, so there is no reason to hold back. Tell your lawyer everything they need to know to provide you with effective counsel.

How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?

How much an immigration lawyer costs in North Carolina varies depending on the specifics of your case. Some immigration proceedings are easier to handle than others, so those tend to be cheaper. If all you need is help with paperwork, that will also be less expensive than paying a lawyer to represent you in court.

Is It Faster to Get a Green Card With a Lawyer?

It can be faster to get a green card with a lawyer. A Gastonia immigration attorney can’t directly speed up the processing of your application. However, they may be able to take actions that will keep your case moving through the bureaucratic process as quickly as possible. You may be able to get approved sooner, with fewer requests for additional information.

Your Gastonia Immigration Lawyer

If you’re looking for a Gastonia immigration lawyer who will give your case their all, look no further than Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC. We have been in practice for many years and work with clients on everything from obtaining work permits to avoiding deportation. Find out how we can help you with your immigration case. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Gastonia, NC Immigration Resources

• Is North Carolina Immigrant-Friendly?
• How Long Does Family Based Immigration Take In North Carolina
• Can Illegal Immigrants Get Medicaid In North Carolina?
• What Happens If an Illegal Immigrant Gets In a Car Accident in North Carolina?
• How Immigration Bond Hearings Work in South Carolina
• Mass Deportations: What Immigrant Families in the Carolinas Need to Know
• Same-Day Immigration Lawyer Appointments in Charlotte: What to Expect