attorneys at law
The Banwo and Igbokwe law firm, specializes in family based immigration and removal defense.
An application for family-based immigration status such as lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, consular processing, waivers of inadmissibility, and citizenship can be one of the most important goals in a person's life. However, submitting an incorrect or incomplete application can have dire consequences. Don't gamble with your future. We can help you navigate the complex web of immigration laws to achieve success in your immigration case. .
The Banwo & Igbokwe Law Firm, has a strong record in all aspects of family-based immigration, including adjustment to lawful permanent residency, consular processing, family -based petitions, and citizenship. We specialize in assisting clients in VAWA petitions, U Visa applications, asylum, and other immigration benefits for persons who are survivors of crime or seeking protection from persecution. We understand how important immigration status is to you and your loved ones, and we will work alongside you in every step of the application process to make sure your application is approved.
WHO CAN LEGALIZE WHOM?
U.S. citizens can file I-130 Petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. U.S. citizens can also file I-129F Petitions for fiances. To petition for a parent, a U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years old. Lawful permanent residents can file I-130 Petitions for spouses and unmarried children. Special rules apply to adopted children and step-children.
HOW LONG IS THE WAIT?
There are quotas on the number of immigrant visas ("green cards") that are issued each year in certain family-based categories. Because there are insufficient green cards available for everyone who applies, there is a waiting list for certain family-based categories. The first step to be placed on the waiting list is to file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. Once the priority date becomes current, the applicant can take the next steps towards getting his/her green card.
There are no quotas for the following relatives: spouses of U.S. citizens, parents of U.S. citizens, and children under 21 years old of U.S. citizens.
FAMILY-BASED PREFERENCE CATEGORIES
For all other relatives, there are quotas. There are four family-based preference categories:
Relatives who fall within these preference-based categories must wait for their priority date to become current before they can apply for their green cards. Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the visa bulletin, which shows the priority dates that are current in each category for that month. The priority date is generally the date that the I-130 Petition was filed.
Being removed (deported) from the United States can be a life-changing event that rips people away from their families and communities. However, with planning, strategy, and litigation, these cases can often be won. If you or someone you love is facing the threat of deportation, you need an aggressive and experienced immigration attorney who will fight to win and keep families together.
Fortunately, for many non-citizens, being placed into immigration court - what is legally known as removal proceedings - does not mean automatic deportation. To the contrary, there are many types of removal defense strategies available in these types of cases to prevent removal or obtain lawful status, such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, waivers of inadmissibility, asylum and other persecution-based protection, and other avenues to obtain status or avoid removal.
An experienced immigration attorney is critical to ensure a successful outcome in an immigration court case. Often, a successful defense means that a person can obtain a work permit, remain in the United States, become a lawful permanent resident, obtain another type of immigration status, or keep their current immigration status.
The Banwo & Igbokwe Law Firm, LLC specializes in and aggressively litigates removal defense cases.