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 Legal Representation and Counseling Services

The Multicultural Family Center assists immigrants with representation in various immigration proceedings. We provide high quality legal services for a nominal fee, and in some occasions, reduced or free of charge, which means we have to make tough decisions on which cases we invest our resources into. We speak Spanish, however, if you require a translator, you will need to provide your own.
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Here are the types of cases we take:

Adjustment of Status (AOS)​​​ 
There are two primary paths to gain legal residence status through family-based petitions.  The first type of adjustment of status process is for those who have entered the country legally and have a visa immediately available.  This adjustment is processed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.  Those who are eligible will obtain their interview at a nearby local immigration office which has jurisdiction over their case. For those who enter this country without inspection, the second path for legal residence status, they can apply for AOS under legislation Sec. 245(i) and a fine of $1000 will be assessed. The last extension granted by Congress was December 21, 2000 through April 30, 2001.  If the individual does not qualify for this benefit, then consular processing is the next option to gain legal residence status.

Consular Processing (CP)
In general, consular processing is done for those who have never entered the U.S., are not covered under Sec. 245(i), have not resided at any time in the U.S. USCIS sends an approval of the visa petition to the National Visa Center in Vermont and fees for legal permanent resident status will be assessed.  The Beneficiary will appear at the office of the U.S. consulate abroad.

Family Petitions
Immigration Law is very complex and extensive and this includes family petitions.  Our mission  is to help the immigrant community with family reunification and our main focus with family petitions is to assist in the processing and filing of all required applications whether the beneficiaries live in the U.S or abroad. ​

FBI Record & FOIA
​If you have penal history and do not remember the outcome of your case, our legal department can do a criminal background check as well as previous deportations. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute that allows individuals to request access to federal agency records.

Fiancé(e) Visas
A United States Citizen can petition for a temporary visa for his/her fiancé(e) who is living abroad.  This marriage must take place here in the U.S. within the 90 days that the temporary visa is granted.  Once the marriage has been established, adjustment of status must be filed with the district immigration office.

​Resident Card Renewal (Green Card Renewal)
A Legal Permanent Residence (LPR) card has an expiration date of every ten years and is the responsibility of the LPR to renew the card in order to continue legal permanent residence status.

Removal of Conditional Status
For those who have obtained their resident card through marriage to a U.S Citizen, but have not been married for two years, they are issued a conditional resident card for a period of two years.
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Temporary Protection Status (TPS)
A temporary protection status is granted when a natural disaster occurs, such as a hurricane or earthquake.  Countries of Central America such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras are granted the TPS rule for a period of eighteen months and are protected from deportation.  The applicants may apply for an employment authorization  card and travel document.

​Citizenship 
There are three ways to obtain U.S. citizenship:  acquisition, derivation, and naturalization, each with its own set of rules and regulations.  Either free citizenship workshops or private counseling in our offices, we provide assistance to file the N-400 application with USCIS.  The benefits of having U.S. citizenship are: right to immigrate family members, derivative citizenship for children, more employment and educational opportunities, travel benefits, public benefits, and protection from deportation or re-entry back into the U.S.
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 
On June 15, 2012 the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain individuals who were brought into the U.S. without inspection as children by their parents, and through no fault of their own, may be eligible to receive Deferred Action.  Employment Authorization (EAD card) In certain cases, an individual can apply for an Employment Authorization document.  For adjustment of status pending, authorization is granted for one year.  For a family reunification program, the authorization may be granted up to two years.

Waivers 
Since March 4, 2013, USCIS began the process for the new Provisional Waivers.  Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens qualify for this  service which is intended for family reunification of immigrants presently living in our country.  

Parole In Place
USCIS recognizes the important sacrifices made by U.S. service members and their families, a form of temporary legalization called “Parole in Place” may be provided to undocumented immigrants who are the parent(s), spouse, children, or widow(er) of an: Active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces; Individual in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve; or Individual (whether still living or deceased) previously served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and was not dishonorably discharged.        
                                                                    
Translations 
Our Legal Counseling Department specializes in translating documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, death certificates, and Penal History verification and many others.

U VISA 
The U nonimmigrant status (also known as the U visa) is set aside for victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of the crime and who are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.

VAWA
​An immigrant who has been the victim of physical and/or psychological abuse by a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident spouse may be eligible to file a petition based on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The client must prove they are/have: Married to an abusive U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident; A person of good moral character; In good faith marriage; Lived with their spouse​