Prominent Immigration Lawyers Proudly Serving Pomona, CA
At Castillo & Associates, the established law firm can help you handle complex immigration law issues throughout Southern California, including Pomona.
Castillo & Associates are exceptionally experienced in immigration law. The law firm proudly serves Pomona, California. Todos hablamos Español.
The well-established immigration law attorneys at Castillo & Associates proudly offer cutting-edge representation when it comes to immigration law issues in the Pomona area. Castillo & Associates is a law firm that offers tailored assistance to clients facing immigration issues such as deportation or other immigration law concerns. The experienced law firm is honored to serve the communities of Pico Rivera, Ontario, Bell Flower, Downey, South Gate, La Puente, Covina, West Covina, Glendora, Montclair, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Walnut, La Puente, and El Monte. For the most complex immigration law concern, Castillo & Associates is prepared to help. Castillo & Associates can be reached by calling (909) 622-2202. A consultation can also be scheduled by completing the online confidential contact form.
- Do you or a loved one need a green card/permanent residency?
- Are you lacking necessary documents needed to work in the country?
It is very important to recognize that petitioning for a green card in the U.S. is not only a time-consuming process, it is also extremely challenging. Despite this, the U.S. immigration system can be better navigated and the process can be streamlined with the proficient support of a well-established immigration law attorney. For Castillo & Associates, it is clear that when a person seeks to remain in the country, the process can be an uphill battle. The legal process and the laws surrounding permanent residency and citizenship are ever-changing. For this reason, Castillo & Associates is a law firm that is committed to fighting aggressively to advocate on behalf of foreign nationals and do whatever it takes to avoid family separation.
Over the years, Castillo & Associates has represented families facing immigration concerns from countries that include Asia, Central America, Africa, Canada, the Middle East, South America, and Mexico.
Castillo & Associates is prepared to assist in the following immigration law matters:
- 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 Can Make a Huge Difference in Your Case
The immigration system in the United States could be life-changing for those seeking to remain in the country. The process has the potential to affect families for generations to come. The U.S. immigration system is not only complex, it is also rigorous. The laws surrounding immigration are also further complicated because:
- They are always changing,
- Immigration services are also always being subject to changes,
- The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services could find difficulty in managing the new changes, and
- Immigration applications are confusing and they require extensive legal experience.
Facing immigration law matters can be stressful, to say the least. Fortunately, the process can be made easier with the support of an experienced attorney. A well-established attorney will not only save time by facilitating the process but can also save thousands in avoidable fees.
A Brief Overview of the R-1 Visa
The R-1 visa is a visa offered to foreign nationals to arrive in the United States for a short term in order to be employed at least part time by a bona fide non profit religious organization or an organization that is affiliated with a religious denomination in the country.
This nonimmigrant visa will allow the foreign national to work as a minister or another type of religious worker in the country. Examples of religious workers that may apply for an R-1 visa include, but are not limited to:
- Monks;
- Nuns; and
- Religious brothers and sisters.
R-1 Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify as a religious worker, the applicant must be arriving in the country on a temporary basis to work as a part time employee, which is at least 20 hours a week. The religious worker must be employed by a bona fide not-for-profit religious organization or a bona fide organization associated with a religious denomination in the country. The work must be hired as a minister or other form of religious worker.
Documents Required for the R-1 Visa
To file for an R-1 visa, the following must be included:
- Valid IRS determination letter confirming the religious organization is tax-exempt;
- An employer attestation letter that is part of the R-1 Classification Supplement to the I-129 Form;
- Evidence proving how the foreign worker will be compensated by the religious organization, whether it is salaried or non-salaried pay;
- Evidence that the worker seeking the position has been a member of the religion for a minimum of two years before the petition was filed; and
- Proof that the foreign national is capable and qualified to perform the duties required by the position.
When the position sought is that of ministry, the foreign national will need to provide proof of his or her certificate of ordination along with evidence that he or she meets the basic qualifications required by the position.
Further, it is important to mention that petitions for an R-1 visa may be delayed or even denied if the applicant fails to submit required evidence. All supporting documents and supplementary documentation should be submitted when the petition is first submitted.
What to Expect When Submitting an R-1 Petition
Once the religious organization files Form I-129 along with the attestation, the following will also be required:
- The application must include a determination letter from the IRS confirming the employing organization’s tax-exempt status;
- The employer attestation must be submitted as part of a supplemental document to Form I-129;
- Provable evidence showing how the religious organization intends to pay the worker, including salaried or non-salaried pay;
- Proof that the religions worker has been an active member of the religious denomination for at least two years before the petition for the R-1 visa is submitted; and
- Evidence demonstrating that the worker has the qualifications necessary to perform the duties required of the position.
When the religious worker wants to fill the position of minister, the worker will need to submit his or her certificate of ordination along with proof that he or she meets the qualifications required by the position.
Expected Costs Associated With the R-1 Visa Process
The cost of an R-1 visa can vary depending on a variety of factors. For the most part, the R-1 religious worker visa will include:
- $460 to file Form I-129;
- $1,500 for Form I-907 Premium Processing; and/or
- $190 for the Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa application.
Processing Time
The length of time required to process an R-1 visa can vary, depending on a number of circumstances. To learn more about processing times, visit the USCIS Processing Times web page.
Premium Processing May Be Available
In certain situations, premium processing for an R-1 visa may be available. This service, however, is only available when the petitioning employer has previously completed an on-site inspection successfully. For more information, visit the USCIS website.
R-1 Validity Period
A petition for an R-1 visa can be approved for 30 months for the initial stay. The foreign national can only stay for up to five years under the R-1 visa status.
Any time the foreign national spends out of the country will not count toward his or her maximum allowable stay.
R-1 Visa Extensions
The R-1 visa can be extended for a maximum of five years, in increments of 30 months. Once the petition for an R-1 visa has been approved, the worker can only stay in the country for five years. If the foreign worker stays for a longer time than what is allowed, he or she may be banned from returning to the country or could be deported.
Family Members of R-1 Visa Holders
Children and spouses of R-1 visa ministers or religious workers can petition for an R-2 visa. If approved, this visa will have the same validity period of an R-1 visa.
It is very important that R-2 visa holders not seek or accept employment while in the country.
On-Site Inspections is Part of the Application Process
In order to determine that the petition for an R-1 visa is not fraudulent or in violation of federal regulations, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security will conduct an on-site investigation.
A Law Firm that is Relentless in the Pursuit of Keeping Foreign Nationals and Their Families Together
Castillo & Associates firmly believe that immigrants and their families deserve utmost professional and dedicated legal representation. Above all, the prominent law firm believes that foreign nationals and their loved ones deserve to stay together. The immigration law attorneys at Castillo & Associates work tirelessly to help clients win their case. The law firm works assiduously to help their clients and their loved ones remain together. Castillo & Associates is a law firm that has the resources needed to challenge case denials in a court of law.
At Castillo & Associates, the law firm understands that most immigration cases are much too difficult to handle without the right legal representation. When seeking a permanent residence, citizenship, or are interested in helping a family member move to the U.S., it is important to note that the process will involve complex laws and possibly even confusing paperwork. Castillo & Associates is equipped to assist every one of their clients understand how immigration laws can affect their individual situation. With the support of Castillo & Associates, every aspect of the case can be handled with ease.
Undocumented People Have Legal Rights
Based on Wong Wing v. United States (1896), every individual residing in the United States, including foreign nationals, are legally entitled to receive equal protection. Every person residing in the country shall not be deprived of the following without due process:
- Life,
- Liberty, and
- Property.
Furthermore, every individual who is physically present in the country, regardless of immigration status, will be protected according to the 14th Amendment against any unlawful search and seizures. Also, all people have the privilege to avoid self-incrimination according to the Fifth Amendment.
For undocumented people, understanding these legal rights and protections is crucial. Undocumented people have the legal right to refuse entry to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers into their place of residence unless the officer provides proof of a signed search warrant. It is important to note that for the most part, ICE agents will rarely have a valid search warrant when attempting to approach a home. These agents will rely heavily on the understanding that most undocumented people are not fully aware of their rights.
Hire Adept Representation For Your Legal Immigration Case
Immigration policy and laws are convoluted and ever-changing. Often, cases can be far too complicated for applicants to handle by themselves. When seeking U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or are petitioning to move a loved one to the U.S., the legal process can be frustrating and overwhelming. Consequently, it is important to obtain the support of a skilled immigration attorney. It is important for those facing an immigration law issue to hire the qualified support of an attorney who is knowledgeable in the field of immigration law.
At Castillo & Associates, the immigration law attorneys have exceptional experience handling a wide range of immigration-related cases. The dedicated attorneys carefully monitor every change in the law and are committed to providing their clients with utmost professional representation.
The law firm proudly serves the communities of Pico Rivera, Ontario, Bell Flower, Downey, South Gate, La Puente, Covina, West Covina, Glendora, Montclair, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Walnut, La Puente, and El Monte.
Consider contacting the proficient attorneys at Castillo & Associated by calling (909) 622-2202. You can also schedule a consultation by completing the contact form here. *Castillo & Associates offer a 15-minute consultation for free, regardless of your immigration matter, after which a consultation fee will be applied.
