Attorney Advertising
Immigration cases in the U.S. are handled by USCIS and the immigration courts, and a mistake on an application can have serious consequences. Sean Sabeti, Esq., an attorney in Great Neck on Long Island, handles immigration matters. Here is how family petitions, green cards and removal proceedings work. Phone: 516-333-4030.
Who decides immigration cases
Immigration applications, such as for a green card, a work permit or citizenship, are decided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a federal agency. Cases of people the government has placed in removal proceedings are heard by immigration courts, which are part of the Department of Justice. Visas abroad are issued by State Department consulates. Each of these institutions has its own forms, fees and deadlines, and both the rules and agency practice change often. Missing a deadline or failing to respond to a Request for Evidence can lead to a denial.
The most common matters
- Family petitions. A U.S. citizen or green card holder can file a petition for close family members. Waiting times depend on the family relationship and the country of birth. For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of citizens aged 21 or older), no annual cap applies; other categories often wait for years.
- Green card in the U.S. Some people already in the United States can apply to become permanent residents through adjustment of status, while others go through consular processing abroad.
- Citizenship. A green card holder can usually apply for naturalization after five years of permanent residence, or after three years if, during that time, they have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen.
- Deportation defense. A person served with a Notice to Appear before an immigration court has the right to be represented by a lawyer at their own expense and may, depending on the situation, apply for forms of relief provided by law.
Beware of “notarios” and middlemen
In the United States, a notary public only witnesses signatures and is not authorized to give legal advice. Advice on immigration matters may be given by attorneys and by accredited representatives of recognized organizations. An application filed by a random middleman, with mistakes or false information, can cause harm for years. Forms and current fees are published by USCIS on its website. It is wise to keep copies of everything filed and of all receipts, as they are often needed for later applications, sometimes years later.
Criminal cases and immigration
A criminal conviction, and sometimes even a guilty plea as part of a plea agreement, can affect eligibility for a green card, citizenship or the right to remain in the U.S. Non-citizens who have a criminal case review its immigration consequences with an attorney before deciding on a plea.
The firm in Great Neck
The Law Office of Sean Sabeti handles immigration matters alongside criminal, divorce, bankruptcy, appeals and foreclosure cases, and according to the firm’s advertisement, the consultation in these matters is free. For the meeting, it helps to bring your passport, all immigration documents (visas, the I-94 record, a green card, letters from USCIS and the court), birth and marriage certificates and information about any arrests or criminal cases, even from years ago.
More on Poland.us
We also write about the cases handled by the Law Office of Sean Sabeti in these articles: criminal defense: DWI, assault and drug charges and divorce in New York State, step by step.
Contact
The Law Office of Sean Sabeti is located at 3 Grace Ave, Suite 400, Great Neck, NY 11021, on Long Island (Nassau County). Phone: 516-333-4030. According to the firm’s advertisement, the consultation is free. In the Polish Pages directory, the firm lists service in English and Polish.
More information and a contact form: Sean Sabeti, Esq. – Law Office of Sean Sabeti on Polish Pages.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice; reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every matter requires individual assessment. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
