The process of obtaining a visa, earning a green card, or fighting a deportation order involves high-stakes legal decisions that affect your ability to live and work in the United States. At every step, the federal government requires precise documentation, strict filing deadlines, and compliance with laws that change frequently. An immigration lawyer guides you through that process, protects your rights in front of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the immigration courts, and builds the strongest possible case for your situation.
Aftalion Law Group is an immigration law firm serving clients from offices in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York. Whether you are reuniting with family, pursuing employment-based permanent residence, defending against removal, or applying for protection through asylum or VAWA, our attorneys work directly with you from the first consultation through the final decision.
An immigration lawyer handles legal matters between individuals and the federal agencies that control entry, residency, and citizenship in the United States. That includes preparing and filing petitions with USCIS, representing clients in proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration courts, advising employers on compliance with hiring and sponsorship regulations, and responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices to Appear (NTAs) that can determine whether someone stays in the country.
Immigration law sits entirely at the federal level. Unlike criminal or family law, there are no state-by-state variations in the rules themselves, which is why a qualified immigration attorney licensed to practice federal law can represent clients in any state regardless of where the attorney’s office is located. What does vary by location is which USCIS field office or immigration court handles your case, what the local processing times look like, and which judges tend to hear certain case types. Experience with those local variables makes a real difference in case strategy.
An immigration lawyer also stays current on policy changes that affect pending and future cases. Under the current administration, executive orders, regulatory shifts, and agency memoranda have changed filing procedures, processing priorities, and enforcement actions at a pace that makes it difficult for applicants to navigate the system alone.
Aftalion Law Group provides legal representation across the full range of immigration matters. Our practice covers:
ot every immigration matter requires legal representation, but most benefit from it. Filing a straightforward green card renewal, for example, is a simpler process than sponsoring a family member from abroad while managing visa bulletin wait times and consular interview preparation. The more complex your situation, the greater the risk of a mistake that causes a denial, a delay, or triggers removal proceedings.
You should consult an immigration lawyer if you are facing any of the following: a deportation or removal order, a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS on a pending application, a criminal charge that could affect your immigration status, a denied petition that you want to appeal, a situation involving domestic violence where a VAWA self-petition may apply, or any case where you have been out of status or have an unlawful presence issue that may require a waiver.
Even for routine matters, the stakes are high. A missed filing deadline, an incomplete form, or an inconsistency between supporting documents can result in a denial that creates new problems beyond the original application. Legal fees for an immigration attorney are almost always less than the cost of fixing an error, refiling, or starting over after a denial.
Members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) have committed to continuing legal education in immigration law specifically. When choosing an immigration lawyer, look for someone who practices immigration law exclusively, has experience with your specific case type, and can communicate with you in your preferred language.
At Aftalion Law Group, the first consultation is free and designed to give you a clear understanding of your legal options. During this meeting, one of our immigration attorneys will review the facts of your situation, identify which visa category, petition type, or defense strategy applies, explain the process from filing to decision, and give you a realistic timeline and cost estimate.
You do not need to have all of your documents ready for the first consultation. The goal of that conversation is to determine whether you have a viable case and what the next steps would look like. If we take your case, we provide a written retainer agreement that explains the scope of representation, the fees, and the timeline before any work begins.
Consultations are available in English and Spanish, by phone, video, or in person at our Los Angeles or New York offices. Hablamos español.
If you or a family member need help with a visa, green card, citizenship application, deportation case, or any other immigration matter, Aftalion Law Group is ready to help. Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases across every major immigration category, and we take cases from all 50 states.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling (213) 596-9642, or fill out the contact form on our website. The sooner you speak with an immigration lawyer, the more options you may have available.
The cost varies depending on the type of case. A straightforward family petition may cost between $1,500 and $4,000 in attorney fees (separate from USCIS filing fees), while complex cases like asylum, removal defense, or federal mandamus lawsuits typically cost more. Aftalion Law Group provides a clear fee estimate during your free consultation before any work begins.
Yes. An immigration attorney can evaluate whether you are eligible for relief from removal, such as cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, or a motion to reopen. Even after a final order of removal, legal options may still exist depending on your circumstances, including appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
An immigration lawyer is a licensed attorney authorized to represent you before USCIS and the immigration courts. A “notario” or immigration consultant is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court. In many cases, individuals who relied on a notario have had petitions denied or incorrectly filed, creating additional legal problems. Always verify that your representative is a licensed attorney.
Yes. Immigration law is entirely federal, which means a qualified immigration attorney can represent you regardless of where you live or where the attorney’s office is located. Aftalion Law Group serves clients in all 50 states from offices in Los Angeles and New York, handling cases by phone, video, and secure document portal.
Processing times vary widely. A green card renewal may take 6 to 12 months. A family-sponsored green card for an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen may take 12 to 18 months. Employment-based petitions, asylum cases, and cases requiring waivers of inadmissibility can take longer depending on the USCIS service center, the immigration court backlog, and whether a Request for Evidence is issued. Your attorney can give you a realistic estimate based on current processing times for your specific case type.
