Experienced Immigration Attorneys Serving Indio, CA
Castillo & Associates can help you with immigration matters in Indio and throughout the Coachella Valley.
Castillo & Associates are highly experienced immigration lawyers serving Indio, CA. Todos hablamos Español.
Castillo & Associates has a reputation for triumphant immigration law cases and is proud to serve clients in Indio, CA. The team of attorneys at Castillo & Associates come from diverse backgrounds. Todos hablamos Español.
For a vast majority of foreign nationals, having the opportunity to reside in the United States and be employed as a citizen or permanent residence can be a lifelong goal. The dedicated attorneys at Castillo & Associates have more than five office locations in Southern California, and the law firm is here to assist you in reaching your goals and aspirations. Castillo & Associates serves local communities such as Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, and Indian Wells. Despite your legal situation, the committed attorneys from Castillo & Associates are prepared to offer the legal guidance and support you deserve. To learn more about how the firm can help you in your immigration case, consider dialing (760) 863-4800. You can also submit an online contact form to speak to an attorney.
- Interested in the process of earning permanent resident status?
- Are you missing important documents needed to be employed?
Receiving a permanent resident status or a citizenship is a convoluted process and in order to avoid unnecessary pitfalls, it is important to avoid handling the case without necessary legal knowledge of the immigration process. Because the immigration system can be highly complex, it is important to avoid jeopardizing the opportunity to remain in the United States, a place where friends and a sense of community have been established. When handling an immigration case alone, it is possible to make avoidable errors that can ultimately result in deportation or other legal hurdles. For this reason, it is important to consider hiring Castillo & Associates for the utmost skilled and proficient representation. With their level of experience, the law firm is prepared to use every resource at their disposal to ensure the petition is filed correctly.
Castillo & Associates Can Assist in the Following Immigration Matters:
- Waivers
- Citizenship
- Naturalization
- Consular Processing
- Permanent Residence
- Petition for Alien Fiancé
- Affidavit of Support forms
- Petition for Alien Relative
- Green Card & Work Permits
- Application for Naturalization
- Petition for Special Immigrant (Wava)
- Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- Application for Employment Authorization
- Petition to Remove Condition of Residence
- Application Supplement A under Section 245i
- Application to Request Permanent Resident Card
- Waiver Application of grounds of inadmissibility
- Application for Citizenship and issuance of Certificate
- Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
- Legal Permanent Residency based on Close-Relative Relationships
- Application for an Action on an Approved Application or Petition
- DACA – Deferred Action for Dreamers (Initial applications and renewal requests)
- Petition for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document
- Application to Register Permanent Resident Status or Adjustment of Status
- Petition for Replacement or Initial Nonimmigrant U.S. Arrival- Departure Records
Hiring an Immigration Attorney is Critical
For many, the United States immigration process is a life-changing experience. It also has the potential to affect a person for many generations. Notoriously complex, the U.S. immigration system is said to be second in complexity, right behind the U.S. tax code. Further complicating immigration laws are the following factors:
- The law changes periodically. There are always new and important changes to the immigration system.
- Immigration services are constantly evolving. The procedures to file an application are frequently revised and with these changes, there can be changes in the forms, added fees to the applications, new deadlines to follow, as well as additional filing instructions.
- The government may not be able to manage the changes. On occasion, the forms may not include instructions or updated instructions. Further, immigration service workers could provide petitioners with inaccurate advice about filing a form.
- The documents provided may be frustratingly confusing. They can also require inferences only an well-versed immigration attorney can supply.
For all immigration matters, it is important to avoid making mistakes in the application that can cause unnecessary hurdles. By speaking to an experienced immigration attorney, it is possible to save time and other resources.
What is the R-1 Visa?
The R-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed to allow foreign nationals the opportunity to work in the United States on a temporary basis. The R-1 visa allows foreign workers to be employed for at least part-time, a minimum of at least 20 hours a week, by a bona fide non profit religious organization or an organization that is affiliated with a religious denomination.
The foreign national may be employed as a minister or other type of religious workers, such as:
- A nun;
- A monk; and
- A religious brother or sister.
What are the R-1 Visa Qualifications?
To qualify as a religious worker, the petitioner must be arriving into the country temporarily and must be employed at least part-time, which is an average of a minimum of 20 hours per week. The worker must be hired by a bona fide non profit religious organization in the country or a bona fide organization that is affiliated with a religious denomination in the country. Further, the work must involve ministry or another form of religious work.
What Documents are Required to Petition for an R-1 Visa?
When petitioning for an R-1 visa, the following documents must be submitted:
- A current and valid determination from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the hiring organization is tax-exempt;
- An attestation from the employer, as part of the R-1 Classification Supplement to Form I-129;
- Evidence determining how the foreign worker will be compensated by the organization, which should include whether the worker will receive salaried or non-salaried compensation;
- Evidence supporting the foreign national has been an active member of the religious dominion for at least two years before the petition was filed; and
- Proof that establishes the foreign national’s qualifications as a minister or religious worker.
When the foreign worker is seeking to fill the position of minister, the worker should submit his or her certificate of ordination along with other evidence that he or she meets the qualifications for the position.
It should be noted that petitions for an R-1 visa can always be either denied, rejected, or delayed when there is a failure to submit evidence or other supporting documents. All applicants should expect to submit supporting evidence with their initial petition for an R-1 visa.
What is the Application Process?
The R-1 application process begins once the religious organization files the I-129 Form, with attestation, along with the following:
- A current and valid determination letter from the IRS stating that the employing organization is tax-exempt;
- The employer attestation, which is part of the Classification Supplement to the I-129 Form;
- Provable evidence determining how the foreign national will be compensated by the religious organization, such as salaried or non-salaried compensation;
- Proof that the worker has been a member of the religious denomination during a minimum of two years before the petition was filed; and
- Proof that the foreign national is qualified to perform the duties required by the position.
In the event that the position offered is that of ministry, the foreign worker must then submit evidence that he or she is certified to ordain. Further, the foreign worker must also submit evidence that he or she meets all requirements necessary to fill the position as minister in the religious denomination.
What Costs are Expected to Petition for an R-1 Religious Worker Visa?
The cost of filing for an R-1 visa can vary depending on a number of factors. Generally, the R-1 religious worker visa will include costs such as the following:
- Form I-129 filing fees – $460;
- Form I-907 premium processing fees – $1,500; and/or
- Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application fees – $190.
What is the Processing Time of the Application?
The R-1 visa can be processed at varying speeds. To learn more about processing times for R-1 visas, be sure to visit the USCIS Processing Times web page for the most current and accurate information.
What is Premium Processing for an R-1 Visa?
Premium processing is a feature available to R-1 visa applications. This feature, however, is only available for employers who have already completed a successful on-site inspection. For details, be sure to visit the USCIS website.
How Long Can the R-1 Visa Be Valid For?
An R-1 visa can be approved for an initial stay of up to 30 months. The foreign worker can remain in the country with a valid R-1 visa status for a maximum of five years.
Any time spent outside of the country during the foreign worker’s five-year stay will not count toward the maximum five-year stay.
Can the R-1 Visa Be Extended?
The R-1 visa status can only be extended in increments of 30 months for up to five years. At this time, foreign nationals can only stay for a maximum of five years under R-1 status.
What About Accompanying Family Members?
Children and spouses accompanying the R-1 minister or religious worker may be eligible for admission into the country through an R-2 visa. This visa has the same validity period as the R-1 visa for religious workers. When receiving an R-2 visa, accompanying relatives cannot seek employment while in the country.
What are On-Site Inspections?
To ensure a petition is not fraudulent or is in violation of the law, the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security will conduct an on-site investigation of all R-1 visa petitions.
Helping Families Remain Together, Since 1999
Castillo & Associates are highly experienced in a wide range of immigration cases and the law firm believes that foreign nationals deserve to have their families remain together. The attorneys at Castillo 7 Associates work tirelessly to protect the rights of foreign nationals.
According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, foreign nationals may migrate to this country if an established relationship exists between them and lawful permanent residents or those who are U.S. citizens. The American citizen has the opportunity to file a petition on behalf of the foreign national when the foreign national is his or her:
- Spouse
- Son
- Daughter
- Brother
- Sister
- Parent
When the relative is only a permanent resident, the only available petition that can be filed would be for the permanent resident’s:
- Spouse
- Unmarried child
Depending on the situation, it may be possible to petition for a permanent residence via a process referred to as an Adjustment of Status. In other cases, the petitioner must file his or her application with the U.S. consulate abroad.
Every Part of the Immigration Process Matters
The immigration process is not only a simple formality, it is key to the dreams and aspirations of talented individuals who want to stay and work in the United States. At Castillo & Associates, every case is treated individually. Beginning with the first consultation, the firm spends critical time identifying every client’s needs and goals. Once this is achieved, the dedicated attorneys at Castillo & Associates employ tailored case strategies to ensure a favorable outcome is accomplished.
Avoid Jeopardizing Your Case – Contact an Experienced Indio Immigration Attorney
With many years of dedicated legal experience, Castillo & Associates is confident in its approach to handle a wide range of immigration cases. The skilled team thrives in representing clients with the most challenging cases. Furthermore, the law firm will also handle each case with great compassion and dedication. With the legal support of Castillo & Associates, an immigration case will have the best opportunity at being successful
*Castillo & Associates will offer you a free 15-minute consultation regarding your immigration matter, after which there will be a consultation fee. With 5 locations throughout Southern California, the firm proudly serves the communities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, La Quinta, Indian Wells, and the Coachella Valley. With the many complexities surrounding immigration cases, you should never have to worry about being unable to communicate with your attorney. Consider calling the attorneys at Castillo & Associates today at (760) 863-4800 or complete the online contact form to schedule your consultation.
