Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

Hello

I am in need of understanding what sort of action or law firm I should connect with in regards to my situation...When I was 13, I moved to California with my family, I went to high school, graduated, had a couple of kids, etc. I had never known that I was not a citizen until about a decade ago. When I tried to get the ball rolling, everything seemed very shady about these 'brokers' that said they would do it for 15k or 20k...

I currently work and live here, I have two children that are born here and I really want to make sure that my living status is properly taken care of...I have reached out to a few law firms that specialize in this field - but I am still awaiting a consultation. I currently live in Orange County, CA and am looking for some advice on the procedures of what I should do or perhaps a contact with a local legal firm that handles these situations.


Asked on 4/23/14, 9:31 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Armen Tashjian Law Offices of Armen M. Tashjian

You need an immigrating lawyer. Feel free to contact my office for a consultation.

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Answered on 4/23/14, 10:13 am
Marlene Hemmings Marlene Hemmings, Attorney at Law

First off, never use a notario or a paralegal! They engage in the unlawful practice of law. They have no idea what they are doing and are not licensed attorneys.

If you entered unlawfully as a child, then you might not have any eligibility to obtain U.S. Permanent Residency, so do not trust anyone who wants to charge you if you don't even have a case! Furthermore, $15,000 or more is an outrage (most attorneys would probably charge a few thousand, depending on what type of case it was, level of difficulty in getting approved, if it required any appearances, etc). I would report those people you contacted previously to the CA Bar because what they are doing is illegal.

You are more than welcome to email me the details of your situation for further guidance, but there might not be much you can do. It depends on how you entered at age 13, whether or not you are married to a U.S. citizen, whether or not anyone filed for an immigration benefit on your behalf prior to April 2001, and other factors that would help me give you a more sound legal opinion.

thank you.

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Answered on 4/23/14, 12:11 pm


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