Immigration Law

Immigration law is complex. A misfiled case (a case that should never have been filed) can result in deportation/removal proceedings by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once in deportation, you can anticipate paying higher attorney fees and, depending on your specific situation, you may face removal from the United States. Seek an experienced immigration attorney prior to signing, notarizing and submitting forms.

If in doubt as to the person’s qualifications, it is your right to ask to see their license to practice law or proof of their certification (agency must be a non-profit organization) to practice law in Kansas.

Call the Office of Marin de Stevanov Law to schedule a consultation at 913-432-0660.

Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card)

Due to the numerous laws and regulations regarding immigration, it has become more difficult to obtain a permanent residency in the U.S. As a lawful permanent resident, you have the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

To become a permanent resident:

• An immigration petition must be filed on your behalf, usually by an employer or relative (spouse or parent) who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, and must be approved by the USCIS.
• You must obtain an immigrant visa number provided to you by the State Department.
• If already in the U.S., you must apply for an Adjustment of Status.

To be eligible to work permanently in the U.S., you must fall into one of five employee preferences:

1. Priority workers: professors, researchers and top executives
2. Workers with advanced degrees and exceptional knowledge and training in areas such as science, arts, business, and more
3. Skilled, professional with at least 2 years of experience and a college degree. In addition, unskilled workers with less than 2 years of experience can work jobs where qualified workers cannot be found in the U.S.
4. Religious or vocation workers working for non-profit religious organizations. Must have worked with organization in home country for two years before able to work in the US
5. Employment Creation: seeking to establish a commercial enterprise.

Obtaining your green card can be a challenge and should be represented with detail and care. The Law Office of Marin de Stevanov has the experience and understanding to help you face the challenges of immigration law.

Call the Office of Marin de Stevanov Law to schedule a consultation at 913-432-0660.

Citizenship and Naturalization

Gaining citizenship into the U.S. allows you the same rights and privileges of every other citizen, such as the right to vote, participant in federal programs and to apply for a U.S. passport. You have an opportunity to gain permanent U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. Naturalization grants U.S. citizenship to a foreign national after fulfilling the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

To qualify:

• You must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other USCIS requirements. Click here to learn more information about the path to naturalization.
• To file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years and meet other USCIS requirements. Click here to learn more about filing as a spouse.
• You served in the U.S. armed forces and meet other USCIS requirements. Click here to learn more about naturalization for Military members and their families.
• You were born outside the U.S. and/or currently live outside the U.S. but your parent is a U.S. citizen.

Any person born within the U.S. is a citizen despite the status of their parents.

The application process for naturalization requires completion and passing of the naturalization test and the honest completion of a citizen application form. Learn more about the naturalization application process visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website or visit the “How Do I Apply for Citizenship?” section.

U.S. citizenship grants you the basic rights and liberties of living in the U.S. and those rights should be protected. You have the right to obtain U.S. citizenship and need a immigration lawyer that can help you along the way. Verify that your immigration lawyer is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association and truly has your best interest at hand.
Originally born in Mexico, attorney Blanca Marin de Stevanov knows the struggles and challenges of immigration law and knows the issues affecting the immigration community. Marin de Stevanov is here to protect your rights, citizen or not.

Call the Office of Blanca Marin de Stevanov LLC, to schedule a consultation at 913-432-0660.

Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas

A visa permits you travel to the U.S. without being a citizen or legal permanent resident. Depending on the type of visa, most nonimmigrant visas are for temporary visitation. Immigrant visas are for a more permanent basis that generally is needed to obtain citizenship. Be aware of the type of visa you need to for travel into the United States. In order to pass through a port or entry into the U.S., you would need a U.S. visa, request permission from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a Customs and Border Protection immigration officer. Click here for more information about applying for a temporary visa and learn more about the various types of nonimmigrant visas.

Tourist Visa

A tourist visa (visitor visa) is a temporary nonimmigrant visa generally for the purpose of leisure travel to the United States. You can use a tourist visa to temporarily enter the US for business, pleasure, tourism or medical treatment. Click here to learn how to apply for a visitor visa.

Student Visa

A student visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens to study within the U.S. or participate in a student exchange program. In order to obtain your student visa you must first be accepted into your program of study, have the adequate tuition and fees funding, depart from the U.S. upon the completion of your studies and, have a home in foreign country that you plan to return to.

Click here to learn more about the Student visa application process and requirements.

Fiancé Visa for Immigration

Your fiancé may be able to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. in order for you to marry in the United States. Once petition is approved and the visa is obtained, you must marry within 90 days of your fiancé entering the country in order him or her to remain in the United States. Following that, your spouse has two years after marriage to become a legal permanent resident.

Spousal Visa for Immigration

A spousal visa permits the foreign lawful spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States. You can either apply for an immigrant spousal visa or a nonimmigrant spousal visa. Click here for more information regarding obtaining a spousal visa.

Call the Office of Blanca Marin de Stevanov Law Office, LLC to schedule a consultation at 913-432-0660.

Deportation

The most common cause of deportation or, removal from the U.S., is through a workplace raid.

If you are residing in the United States without any legal status or you overstayed your visit and you find yourself in an immigration raid, DO NOT PANIC. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the agency under the US Department of Homeland Security who conducts the raids. They are doing their job and it is important that you remain calm as they approach you.

In the event that this situation occurs:

• The first thing to remember is to cooperate with ICE. Your answers and conduct will most likely be made part of your file that will eventually be reviewed by the immigration judge who will hear your case.
• Secondly, have a contact person at work who will communicate with your family in the event that you are picked up by ICE.
• Thirdly, the average bond in Kansas City, MO is about $3,000 to $5,000 and is a cash bond. Make arrangements ahead of time so you know what to do in the event you or your spouse is picked up by ICE. Depending on the individual case, you may be released on your own recognizance, placed on a supervised program, pay a bond or not be eligible for a bond.
• Fourthly, removal / deportation proceedings will begin and a Notice to Appear will be issued to you or mailed to the address you give ICE. Upon been release by ICE and as soon as possible, contact an attorney who practices in immigration law to review your case and to represent you as necessary.

Call the Office of Blanca Marin de Stevanov, LC to schedule a consultation at 913-432-0660.

The offices of Gamble Law, LLC, Rattan Law Firm, LLC, and Marin de Stevanov, LLC, represent clients throughout the Kansas City metropolitan areas in Kansas and Missouri, including the communities of Kansas City Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Olathe, Merriam, Shawnee, Liberty, Raytown, Gladstone, Lees Summit, Grandview, Topeka, and Lawrence, Johnson County, Wyandotte County, Jackson County, Clay County, and Platte County.