Washington Immigration Attorney Debra A. Morales Practice Areas
CONSULAR PROCESSING:
If an individual is in another country, he or she may apply for a visa or green card in the U.S. embassy of his or her home country. Washington permanent residence Attorney Debra A. Morales is able to prepare and file all of the paperwork and applications and contact the consular officers to provide additional information which may facilitate approval of the application.
Because Seattle immigration lawyer Debra A. Morales has experience working with the various consulates and embassies, she often cures a denial by seeking a waiver, providing additional evidence, or offering proof that the visa should be granted.
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CRIMINAL DEPORTATION/REMOVAL DEFENSE:
Deportation defense lawyer Debra A. Morales represents immigrants in the United States who have been charged or convicted of a crime and are subsequently placed in deportation or removal proceedings.
Since September 30, 1996, and the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, (Pub. L. No. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 "IIRAIRA"), the rights of aliens in the United States have been severely curtailed when past criminal conduct is a factor. Crimes that previously did not cause immigration consequences can now trigger deportation proceedings against an alien. Crimes as serious as murder, and as minor as shoplifting, can result in deportation.
Deportation defense lawyer Debra A. Morales constantly seeks to find creative solutions to her clients' deportation problems by staying abreast of new laws and regulations in addition to administrative and federal court decisions affecting immigrants. Permanent Residence Attorney Debra Morales also vigorously pursues post-conviction remedies in criminal cases to create affirmative defenses to deportation and /or removal, and/or to allow aliens to qualify for deportation /removal discretionary waivers.
There are three agencies, which may have jurisdiction or input into a deportation or removal proceeding:
- USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (for green cards and citizenship)
- ICE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (for deportations and investigations)
- CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (for airport and border crossing issues)
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EMPLOYMENT VISAS/LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Immigration Attorney Debra A. Morales routinely handles all matters related to green card applications, labor certification, and PERM applications. Attorney Morales knows that it is critical that each application is meticulously prepared, all deadlines are met, all references are verified, data is exact and everything is documented in accordance with all laws and regulations.
Attorney Debra Morales represents employees and employers in the following types of cases:
- PERM Applications
- E-1/E-2 – Treaty Country Investor Visas
- EB1 - National Interest Waiver, Alien Of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professor Or Researcher, Multinational Executive
- EB2 - Member Of Profession Holding An Advanced Degree Or Alien Of Exceptional Ability
- EB3 - Skilled Worker Or Professional
- EB4 - Any Other Worker
- EB5 - Immigrant Investor
- H-2A – Seasonal Worker Visas
- H-2B - Other Seasonal Work Visas
- J - Internships
- L-1 - Inter-Company Transferees Visas
FAMILY BASED VISAS/ FIANCÉ VISAS:
Family Immigration Attorney Debra A. Morales has helped many fathers, daughters, mothers, son, fiancés and other relatives enter the United States with either an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. She can guide you through the many options that are available.
I-130 Petition:
An I-130 is a Petition for Alien Relatives and it applies to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children. Parents, spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of U.S. Citizens are considered immediate relatives and are not placed under a quota system. The others are placed into preference order which determines who is given priority entry into the United States:
- First Preference: Unmarried, adult (21 years of age or older) sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and the unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
- Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
This process can take a very long time (several years) depending upon the preference ranking. The most current online visa bulletin will give those who are waiting an idea of how long they must wait for their immigration application or green card to be granted.
FIANCÉ VISAS:
For those seeking to bring a fiancé or fiancée to the United States, a K-1 visa application will allow the fiancé(e) to enter the United States. Both parties must be unmarried, legally divorced or annulled, or widowed. The marriage must take place within 90 days of entry into the United States.
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H, L, E, VISAS:
Non-immigrant work visas (H, L, O, P, Q) require a CIS-approved petition from a U.S. sponsor. Treaty-trader or treaty-investor visas (E1/E2) can be applied for directly by the individual as long as he or she is from a country with which the United States has a treaty.
The most common work-related visas are H-1B Visas and L1 Visas. The H-1B is a way to bring foreign-born professionals to the United States for a period of up to six years. A job offer from a U.S. employer is required, and the employment may only begin when the status is granted. The L1 Visa is for people working for an employer abroad for one year in a related business entity in a manager / executive or specialized knowledge staff capacity, and who will come to the United States to continue providing services for his or her employer.
The paperwork is important, but so is the communication. Washington employment visa Attorney Debra A. Morales maintains excellent communication and regularly represents employees and employers within the following types of visa filings:
- B1 Temporary visitor for business
- B2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
- B1/B2 Temporary visitor for business or pleasure
- E1 Treaty trader, spouse and children
- E2 Treaty investor, spouse and children
- H1B (petition-based) Temporary worker in a specialty occupation
- H1C (petition-based) Registered nurses
- H2A (petition-based) Temporary worker performing agricultural services unavailable in the United States
- H2B (petition-based) Temporary worker performing non-agricultural services unavailable in the United States
- H3 (petition-based) Industrial trainee
- H4 (petition-based) Dependent of H1, H2 or H3
- J Interns
- L1 (petition-based) Intra-company transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with an international firm or corporation)
- L2 (petition-based) Dependent of L1
- O1 (petition-based) Aliens with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics
- O2 (petition-based) Aliens accompanying and assisting the above in a professional capacity
- O3 (petition-based) Dependent of O1 or O2
- P1 (petition-based) Athletes and entertainers for a specific competition or performance
- P2 (petition-based) Athletes and entertainers participating in reciprocal exchange program
- P3 (petition-based) Artists and entertainers performing under a program that is culturally unique
- P4 (petition-based) Dependent of P1, P2 or P3
- Q (petition-based) International cultural exchange visitor
If you need a visa, wish to immigrate, are facing deportation or removal for any reason, or want to help bring a family member or employee to the United States, Washington immigration Attorney Debra A. Morales can help. Please call her today, at (866) 632-3959, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule a consultation with an experienced U.S. immigration lawyer.
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