Immigration Lawyers New York City: NYC Lawyer

Immigration Attorneys NYC

The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, is an immigration law firm in New York City, New York. Searching for an immigration lawyer near you in NYC might be overwhelming. Find immigration attorneys in New York City.

At the Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, we want to help you with all your needs and offer superior immigration legal services in NYC. We understand this is a stressful time, and our compassionate team of attorneys is here to help. We have years of experience guiding individuals and businesses through all American immigration applications and legalities, including visa application assistance.

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The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC

Empowering Our Immigration Clients

At The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, our goal as New York immigration lawyers is to empower our clients and provide them with an understanding of the immigration process needed to gain, maintain or protect their permanent residence or green cards, visas, citizenship, H-1B visa, workers permission, and more. That’s why we provide assistance in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. As a non-citizen in the US, you may be vulnerable to con artists looking to take advantage of your need for legal advice. This is why we are transparent with our immigration pricing and provide an honest assessment of your legal needs combined with outstanding client services. It is natural for a percentage of the fees to be provided upfront due to the cost of preparing papers and the forwarding of government fees associated with processing applications and appeals.

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What Immigration Services Does The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC Offer?

As experienced immigration lawyers in New York, we can offer consultations concerning all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and processing assistance for the following scenarios:

Guidance Through The U.S Immigration Applications

Many people seeking to live in the United States are unsuccessful because they do not have experience with the American system of immigration and they make mistakes in the application process. The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, can assist and help you with this, whether you’re looking for permanent residency or temporary status as a worker or student. If you’re looking to become a citizen of the United States, we also walk you through the steps you’ll need to complete the process, including preparing you for the necessary tests themselves. We also review your prior immigration if you have a criminal history, have a prior removal order, or have left the United States in the past and then re-entered. The consequences of past seemingly innocent actions can mean that a client is barred from re-entering the United States for many years if they leave. Our goal is to make sure you have as much information about your options as possible so that you can make informed decisions about the path forward.

Family-Based Immigration

We offer guidance and support to families looking for permanent status in the U.S. Our firm assists clients with their family-based petitions. The United States frequently changes its policies and updates the forms that are required for an application. We monitor these changes because many applications are time-sensitive, but will be rejected if not prepared properly. In addition, it is critical to collect and submit all documents to demonstrate that a qualifying resident who is a U.S citizen spouse or a permanent resident spouse can serve as the petitioner.

Employee-Based Immigration

We assist businesses and individuals looking for help with employee-based applications. We will work with you to secure these critical foreign employees if you’re looking for permanent positions as top-level researchers, skilled workers, or those with exceptional ability.

Asylum and Refugee Status

We support refugee and asylum applications. Did you experience persecution in your country of nationality? Are you afraid to return? You may be eligible for asylum if you fear persecution from your original country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group. We can help with your application for asylum with a compassionate and understanding approach. We have a lot of experience representing clients in both immigration courts and asylum offices. Winning asylum cases is not easy. The burden on the client to provide evidence of persecution is very high. Recent changes in the policies of the United States have made it even more difficult. That’s why it so important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney when bringing such a claim.

Deportation Appeals

Removal/Deportation appeals are for those informed that they are being ordered removed/deported and wish to appeal the decision with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or another court or agency. We guide clients through these difficult situations. The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, zealously represents you in all removal proceedings and will fight zealously to demonstrate why your case warrants a grant of Asylum or Withholding of Removal.

Waivers Of Inadmissibility

If you have been found inadmissible for entry into the U.S, you may be eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility. A waiver means that the reasons for your inadmissibility into the United States might be forgiven if you can prove that your qualifying relatives would suffer extreme hardship if you were forced to return to your country of origin or that you are eligible for a waiver. Immigration waivers are available for various grounds of inadmissibility when applying for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

Naturalization & Citizenship

United States citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The promise of citizenship is grounded in the fundamental value that all persons are created equal and serves as a unifying identity to allow persons of all backgrounds, whether native or foreign-born, to have an equal stake in the future of the United States.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

We understand the needs of foreign juveniles who come to the United States and want to gain immigration status here. To be accorded Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a juvenile court located in the United States must declare the alien a dependent of the court or legally place the child under the custody of a state agency, department, or individual appointed by the state or a juvenile court in the United States.

At The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, we are American Immigration Lawyers Associate members, covering these immigration cases and more. For answers to specific immigration questions or general information, contact us today for help. We genuinely believe that immigration matters.

Our Process

The process of gaining and protecting immigration status and visas can be confusing. Sometimes it involves appearing in immigration court or before officers at USCIS, and other times it involves making appeals and motions before the BIA, AAO, or federal courts.

In all cases, meticulous attention to detail is essential. We at The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC, we will guide you through all the necessary immigration steps.

We’re Here For Your Immigration Needs At The Law Office of Robert J. Maher, PC

We’re not just a name of a firm that appears when you search “New York immigration lawyer near me.” We want to be there for you in all stages of your immigration needs. Our clients describe us as fierce advocates, thorough litigators, and encouraging individuals. Read more through our testimonials to see why we are highly respected and considered experts in the field of immigration.

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Immigration Lawyer Facts:

Immigration lawyers may focus on several areas of immigration law, including family-based immigration, employment-based visas, naturalization and citizenship applications, deportation defense, and humanitarian relief options, to name a few.
An experienced immigration lawyer can help you navigate the complicated process of applying for a visa or green card by helping ensure that your application is complete and accurate before submitting it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
It is essential to choose an attorney knowledgeable about the laws governing immigrants’ rights in the United States and any recent changes or updates regarding those laws so they can provide you with up-to-date advice on how best to proceed with your case.
Suppose you’re facing a potential deportation situation due to criminal charges or other violations of U.S. immigration laws. In that case, having an experienced NYC immigration attorney handle your case may be critical to achieving a favorable outcome, such as avoiding removal from the country altogether or obtaining legal status through some other means than originally sought after — such as asylum rather than permanent residency via marriage petitioning for example.
When seeking an experienced NYC immigrant lawyer, you must select one who has experience working within the local court system – this will help ensure that their knowledge of local procedures and practices is relevant when handling your case.

Pros And Cons:

Pros:

Immigration attorneys in NYC are knowledgeable about the complicated laws and regulations regarding immigration, making them qualified to provide legal advice on all aspects of the process.
An attorney can make the entire process less stressful as they know how to navigate through red tape and paperwork quickly and efficiently.
Immigration lawyers can also help you understand your rights so that you can make informed decisions throughout the complicated immigration process.
They have expertise in dealing with consulate offices across countries, which is invaluable when it comes to filing papers for visas or green cards accurate and timely manner.
An experienced lawyer will be able to answer any questions you may have about immigrating, making sure that your application is filled out correctly before submitting it for processing by government authorities or visa services providers if necessary.

Cons:

Immigration attorneys in NYC can be expensive depending on their experience level, location, availability, etc., requiring a significant financial investment from clients seeking assistance, especially since there’s no guarantee of success even with an experienced lawyer representing them during the process.
Attorneys must adhere strictly to ethical codes, so there might be restrictions on what kind of advice or opinions they are abe to give, limiting some options available for applicants seeking specific outcomes from their case(s).
Legal representation does not necessarily ensure success, as court rulings could go against one’s favor regardless of who represents them during litigation proceedings related to immigration matters.

Immigration FAQs

What fundamentally distinguishes a U.S. visa from a Green Card?

The core distinction lies in intent and duration: a U.S. visa is typically a temporary authorization for specific purposes like travel, study, or short-term work, with a set expiration. A Green Card, on the other hand, grants an individual permanent legal residency, allowing indefinite stay, the right to live and work anywhere in the U.S., and serving as the direct pathway to eventual U.S. citizenship.

Is it possible to obtain a Green Card if one initially entered the U.S. without inspection (EWI)?

Generally, direct adjustment of status to a Green Card from within the U.S. is not available for those who entered without inspection. Such individuals usually face the requirement of leaving the U.S. for visa processing abroad, which can trigger severe re-entry bars based on unlawful presence. Limited and highly specific exceptions, such as eligibility under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or specific humanitarian provisions, may apply, necessitating immediate legal counsel.

What are the potential immigration ramifications of having a criminal record?

Any criminal conviction, regardless of its perceived severity, can significantly jeopardize one’s immigration standing. Consequences range from rendering an individual “inadmissible” (unable to enter or receive a visa/Green Card) to “deportable” (subject to removal from the U.S.). The precise impact is highly dependent on the nature of the offense, the sentence imposed, and the specific immigration benefit being sought. Urgent consultation with an experienced immigration attorney is critical for any individual with a criminal history.

Could relying on certain public benefits jeopardize my Green Card application under the “public charge” rule?

Yes, the “public charge” rule is a complex ground of inadmissibility, evaluating whether an individual is likely to become primarily dependent on specific government cash assistance or long-term institutional care. While many benefits (like emergency medical services, disaster relief, or non-cash benefits like SNAP) are generally not counted, applicants must typically demonstrate sufficient financial resources or have a qualifying sponsor provide an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to show they will be self-sufficient.

What factors typically influence the processing time for U.S. naturalization (citizenship)?

The timeline for U.S. naturalization (becoming a citizen) is highly variable, often ranging from several months to over two years. Key influencing factors include the applicant’s specific eligibility category (e.g., 3-year vs. 5-year residency), the current caseload and processing times at the specific USCIS service center and field office, whether additional evidence or interviews are required, and the efficiency with which the applicant responds to requests.