Family members of US citizens and permanent residents are the primary source of immigration to US. US citizens and permanent residents can sponsor some of their foreign citizen family members for green card. When the foreign family member can obtain the green card depends on the status of the petitioner (whether he is a citizen or a permanent resident) and the family relationship between the petitioner and the family member.
So called immediate relatives of US citizens have the easiest route to immigrate to US. The category of immediate relatives includes spouses of US citizens, unmarried children under 21 of US citizens, and parents of US citizens who are 21 and older. The main advantage of being an immediate relative of a US citizen is that they are exempt from numerical quotas for the issuance of immigrant visas that apply to other family categories. The exemption means that immediate relatives, if they are otherwise admissible, will be admitted to US regardless the numerical limitations.
In addition to immediate relatives of US citizens, there are other family based categories which are subject to numerical limitations. Family-sponsored immigrants are divided into four preference categories: 1) First Preference – unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens. This group includes unmarried sons and daughter who are 21 and older. Each year 23400 visas are available to family members who fall under the first preference. 2) Second Preference – spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents. This group is divided into 2 categories: (a) spouses and unmarried sons and daughter under 21, and (b) unmarried sons and daughters who are 21 and older. Permanent residents cannot sponsor their married sons and daughters. The annual limit of visas in the second preference category is 114200. It should be noted that 77% of available visas in the second preferences category is allocated to spouses and unmarried sons and daughters under 21. 3) Third Preference – married sons and daughters of US citizens. This preference category includes married sons and daughter of US citizens whether they are under or over 21. The annual limit of visas available in this preference category is 23400. 4) Fourth Preference – brothers and sisters of US citizens. To fall under the fourth preference category the siblings must have at least one common parent. 65,000 visas are available in this category annually. Are you wondering how long it will take to bring a family member to the US? Because of the limited number of visas available each year, family members of US citizens, other than immediate relatives, might have to wait for years in order to obtain permanent residence in US. It should also be noted, that because of per country limits on issuance of visas, citizens of certain countries have to wait much longer compared to others. The waiting times for all 4 preference categories are available in the Visa Bulletin which is updated by US Department of State monthly. Family based immigration gives an opportunity to US citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members to US. However, US citizens and permanent residents must keep in mind that in many cases they might have to wait for years until their family members will be admitted to US. Speak to a Glendale immigration lawyer from KAASS LAW for a free consultation. We speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, French, and Italian.
L-1 non-immigrant visa is for intracompany transferees who come to the United States to temporarily work for a U.S. company. If you are a foreign worker overseas, a U.S. company may qualify to transfer you with an L-1 visa, as an overseas employee, to the U.S. to work as a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge personnel.
“A manager generally refers to someone who supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional managerial employees. The L-1 visa classification also includes managers of an essential function within the organization or a department or subdivision of the organization.”
“An executive generally refers to someone who primarily directs the organization or a major component or function of the organization.”
“An individual with specialized knowledge is someone who possesses special knowledge, of the organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization's processes and procedures.”
E-2 investor immigration visa allows entry to the United States (from another country that the United States maintains a treat y with) in order to work based on a substantial amount of investment and control he or she will hold while in the United States.
The investment must be active. An active investment refers to its operation and services. In other words, the investment must allow the investor to undertake procedures in an effort to produce goods for profit. The investor must engage in the business enterprise; passive activities within the business enterprise will not qualify. For example, purchasing a property may not be sufficient. Instead, the investor must hire employees in order to manage, develop, improve, and maintain that property. Throughout this process, the investor must remain active by controlling and directing the investment in order to begin or continue providing services.
Asylum in the United States usually wonder how long they will have to wait for their asylum interview. Potential asylum applicants should know that they might have to wait for years until they get a chance to appear before an asylum officer.
Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, the initial interview or hearing on the asylum application must commence not later than 45 days after the date an application is filed. INA § 208(d)(5)(A)(ii). In the absence of exceptional circumstances, final administrative adjudication of the asylum application, not including administrative appeal, must be completed within 180 days after the date an application is filed. Id. § 208(d)(5)(A)(iii). According to INA, USCIS shall schedule the asylum interview within 45 days after filing the application which should be adjudicated within 180 days from the filing date, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
During the last years exceptional circumstances apply, and the actual waiting times are far from being close to the statutory deadlines. Asylum applicants have to wait for years until they get a chance to appear in front of an asylum officer. Depending on the asylum office that has jurisdiction over the application, applicants may wait from two to five years. For example, in December 2016, the Los Angeles asylum office was interviewing the applicants who filed their applications in August 2011. The waiting time is much shorter in Northern California where have to wait two year. The asylum application processing times for all asylum offices may be found on the USCIS website.
Under Penal Code 17(b) PC, felony reductions to misdemeanors are available if defendants
In California, you must satisfy both elements to reduce your felony conviction to a misdemeanor. Serving time in state prison after a conviction for a "wobbler" offense makes you ineligible for relief under Penal Code 17(b).
(a)A felony is a crime which is punishable with death or by imprisonment in the state prison. Every other crime or public offense is a misdemeanor except those offenses that are classified as infractions. (b)When a crime is punishable, in the discretion of the court, by imprisonment in the state prison or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, it is a misdemeanor for all purposes under the following circumstances: (1)After a judgment imposing a punishment other than imprisonment in the state prison. (2)When the court, upon committing the defendant to the Youth Authority, designates the offense to be a misdemeanor. (3)When the court grants probation to a defendant without imposition of sentence and at the time of granting probation, or on application of the defendant or probation officer thereafter, the court declares the offense to be a misdemeanor. (4)The prosecuting attorney files a complaint in a misdemeanor court, stating the offense is a misdemeanor. If the defendant objects during arraignment or plea, the attorney amends the complaint to charge the felony, and the case proceeds on the felony charge. (5) If the magistrate decides the offense is a misdemeanor before the preliminary examination or before filing an order under Section 872, the court will treat the case as a misdemeanor complaint. (c) When the court commits a defendant to the Youth Authority for a crime punishable by imprisonment in the state prison or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, the court deems the offense a misdemeanor for all purposes upon the defendant's discharge from the Youth Authority. (d)A violation of any code section listed in Section 19.8 is an infraction subject to the procedures described in Sections 19.6 and 19.7 when: (1)The prosecutor files a complaint charging the offense as an infraction unless the defendant, at the time he or she is arraigned, after being informed of his or her rights, elects to have the case proceed as a misdemeanor, or; (2)The defendant consents, and the court determines that the offense is an infraction. The case then proceeds as if the defendant had been arraigned on an infraction complaint. (e)This section does not permit a judge to relieve a defendant of the duty to register as a sex offender under Section 290 if the charge requires registration and the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty.
An alien applying for asylum can also apply for withholding of removal at the same time. Withholding of removal is an alternative to the asylum for a foreigner who fears to return to his home country. However, it should be noted that the grant of the withholding of removal does not result in the same benefits arising from the grant of asylum.
Withholding of removal is a remedy available to an alien who cannot go back to his home country because of a threat to his life or freedom. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien cannot be removed to a country if the alien’s life or freedom would be threatened in that country because of the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. INA § 214(b)(3)(A).
An alien is eligible for withholding of removal if he is able to establish that his life or freedom would be threatened because of one of the statutory grounds if he is removed to his home country. The alien will meet his burden of proof if he is able to show that it is more likely than not that his life or freedom would be threatened if he is removed to his home country. The “more likely than not” standard for withholding of removal is more difficult to meet than the standard for showing fear of persecution for asylum applicants.
Many foreigners who are in the US and face problems while extending their legal status decide to apply for asylum. However, not everyone is eligible for asylum. Only people who meet the statutory definition of “refugee” can file an application for asylum.
People who are already in the US or who seek admission into the US and meet the statutory definition of “refugee” are eligible for applying for asylum. The Immigration and Nationality act defines refugee as “any person who is outside any country of such person’s nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion…” INA § 101(a)(42).
Many foreigners who are planning to apply for asylum do not know that there is a filing deadline for asylum applications. If an alien does not file the application within the deadline, his application cannot be approved even if he qualifies for asylum, unless one of the exceptions applies. Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien must file his application for asylum within one year after the date of the alien’s arrival in the United States. INA § 208(a)(2)(B). If an alien has filed an application one year after his arrival in the United States the application may be considered only if the alien demonstrates the existence of changed circumstances which materially affect the applicant’s eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances relating to the delay in filing within one year from the date of the alien’s arrival. Id. § 208(a)(2)(D). The one-year period is calculated from the date of the alien’s last arrival in the United States. The date of entry is not counted in calculating the one-year period for filing the asylum application. Minasyan v. Mukasey, 553 F.3d 1224, 1229 (9th Cir. 2009). When the last day of the one-year period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period will run until the end of the next working day. 8 C.F.R. § 208.4(a)(2)(ii). For purposes of the one-year rule, the application is considered to have been filed on the date it is received by USCIS. If an application is filed after the one-year period it will be considered only if one of the statutory exceptions applies.
Being arrested in California can be a stressful and frightening experience. However, it’s crucial to remember that you still retain certain rights as a citizen of the United States. Understanding these rights can help you navigate the legal system more effectively. This blog outlines your rights during an arrest, the procedures that follow, and important deadlines related to appeals for those arrested in California.
One of the key components of your rights when arrested in California is the reading of your Miranda rights. These rights must be communicated to you by law enforcement officers at the time of your arrest. If the police fail to read your Miranda rights, any information or evidence gathered during the arrest may be inadmissible in court.
Upon your arrest, you have the following rights:
Prior to preparing the H-1B petition for a foreign employee, US employers shall determine whether the specific occupation falls under the H-1B category or not. Currently, the H-1B category covers only foreign employees who come to US to perform services in a specialty occupation or are models of distinguished merit and ability.
A specialty occupation is an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the occupation. To qualify as a specialty occupation, the position must meet one of the following criteria: (1) A baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum requirement for entry into the particular position; (2) The degree requirement is common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations or, in the alternative, an employer may show that its particular position is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an individual with a degree; (3) The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position; or (4) The nature of the specific duties are so specialized and complex that knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree. INA § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A). Some occupations clearly fall under the specialty occupation for H-1B purposes, and employers do not have to do much to show that the offered position is in a specialty occupation. The list of these occupations includes, but is not limited to, lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, psychologists, scientists, and financial analysts. For these occupations, employers do not need to submit extensive evidence to show that the position is in a specialty occupation. For other occupations, which do not clearly fall under the specialty occupation category, employers will have to demonstrate that the position is in a specialty occupation. Employers can demonstrate that the position is in a specialty occupation by showing that it meets one of the criteria specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The adjudicators at USCIS rely on the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook to determine whether the position is in a specialty occupation or not. This handbook specifies the duties and requirements for different positions, including the requirements for entry into the specific occupation. The Handbook can serve as a comprehensive guide for employers to determine whether the specific position will qualify as a specialty occupation or not. Employers shall keep in mind that the H-1B category does not cover all the occupations, but only specialty occupations. Hence, employers shall determine whether the specific position is in a specialty occupation, and only after that shall start working on the H-1B petition. If the position is not in a specialty occupation the H-1B petition will not be successful, and employers should think about alternatives.
Requirements for obtaining L-1 visa status are:
Before being transferred to the U.S. company with an L-1 visa, the employee must have completed one continuous year of work outside the U.S. with the overseas company. However, if an employee works in the U.S. during that year, he or she will need to equally work for the overseas company in order to obtain a total of at least 12 months employment overseas.
The overseas company that the employee works for during the required period of one year must be related, such that it must be the same employer, subsidiary, or affiliate of the U.S. company. To prove the amount of time worked, the employee may include pay stubs, payroll records, or tax records.
In order for the company to be a qualifying organization, it must be doing regular, systematic, and continuous business in the U.S. and another country during the entire duration of the transfer.
The transferee must fill in at least one of the following three capacities: executive, manager, or specialized knowledge. There is no requirement for the employee being transferred to the U.S. to perform the same services as he or she did overseas; they may be employed in a different capacity in the U.S. For example, an individual with specialized knowledge overseas may be transferred to work in the U.S. as a manager. The same is possible with an employee working as a manager overseas and being transferred to the U.S. as an employee. Provided that the position held by the employee was for a period of one year before transferring with an L-1 visa.
As explained above, the employee must not fill in the same position as he or she did overseas. However, the employee must be working in a capacity involving duties of an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge personnel.
The employee must be qualified for the position he or she is transferring to occupy. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require proof of such qualifications by showing prior education and experience. This proof must be presented with the L-1 petition.
The employee must intend to depart the U.S. after the completion of his authorized stay. However, an L-1 employee can seek permanent residency in the U.S. if he qualifies on another basis.
An individual, entering the United States in L-1 status, will stay for the time required by the U.S. company, up to three years maximum. However, up to two years of extension can be authorized in increments. A maximum stay for managers and executives (L-1A) is seven years, where as for specialized knowledge personnel (L-1B), it’s five years. An employee with specialized knowledge may later qualify for a managerial or executive position within the U.S. company only if the specialized knowledge employee has been performing managerial or executive duties for six months before requesting an extension of stay beyond what is permitted for the specialized knowledge employee, which is five-years. This distinction is important for two reasons. First, to determine the duration of the transferee’s stay. Second, because managers and executives have a potential route to obtaining permanent residency in the U.S.
Under L-2 nonimmigrant category, family members of the L-1 nonimmigrant are permitted to enter the United States. Family members only include the visa holder’s spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21. However, once children reach the age of 21, they may no longer remain in the U.S. The duration period for family members is the same as that of which the main working family member is admitted. Family members admitted in the L-2 nonimmigrant category may now be authorized to work and study while remaining in the U.S. Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian. KAASS LAW is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office. KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
The investment must be substantial. While there is no set minimum amount to consider the investment “substantial,” it must nonetheless be substantial in its connection to the total expenses of purchasing an existing or already established business enterprise. Also, a substantial amount of capital must be sufficient to secure the successful operation of the business enterprise.
One of two tests must meet in order to consider a “substantial” investment:
Investment must not be marginal. That is to say, the investment must have the potential or power to produce enough income in order to support a decent living for the treaty investor and his family. Additionally, in most instances, such investment should provide individuals living in the U.S. with job opportunities. While creating employment opportunities for U.S. workers is not a requirement, it can be in use to show that the investment is not marginal. When an investment is not considered to be marginal, it will require individuals beyond the investor to operate the business or enterprise. Further, it will generate enough income to fulfill the investors living expenses, along with payment of its U.S. workers.
Therefore, the issue is whether there is a projected and reliable return on the investment in order to meet the requirements of an E-2 treaty investor visa.
An essential role in an enterprise can be held by both the principal investor and certain employees of the investing enterprise. Both can obtain a treaty-investor status.
An individual, applying to enter the U.S. as a treaty investor, is considered a principal investor when he has a majority—at least 50%—ownership in the business, along with the responsibly of controlling and developing that enterprise. This generally occurs when the investor owns a majority and controlling interest in the business.
Another way an individual can enter the U.S. is as an employee of a company. In order to qualify for an E-2 nonimmigrant visa as an employee of a treaty investor, the following must be satisfactory:
Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
KAASS LAW has the authority to practice law in California. The above content is for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS LAW expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS LAW does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS LAW in person at the KAASS LAW office.
KAASS LAW helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
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It should be noted that USCIS prioritizes asylum applications for interview scheduling as follows:
Generally, the applicants in the first and second categories are scheduled promptly.
Although asylum applicants have to wait for years for their interview, they do not have to wait until the interview to obtain employment authorization. Simply filing an application for asylum does not entitle the applicant to employment authorization. However, an applicant may request a permission to work if the application is still pending, and 150 have passed since the application was accepted by USCIS. 8 C.F.R. § 208.7(a)(1). If the asylum application is not denied, the USCIS has 30 days from the date of filing of the application for employment authorization to grant or deny that application except that no employment authorization will be issued to an asylum applicant prior to the expiration of the 180-day period following the filing of the asylum application. Id. The employment authorization document is valid for two years, and can be extended after the expiration date if the asylum application is still pending.
To sum up, asylum applicants may have to wait for years until their asylum interview. In some regions of the United States applicants have to wait for more than five years. However, foreigners with pending asylum applications may apply for employment authorization five months after filing the application with USCIS.
We invite you to contact our office and speak to our Glendale immigration attorney for a free consultation. Our immigration attorney speaks English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian.
The chance vary from case to case. Generally the court considered a variety of factors when deciding whether to grant a PC 17(b) felony reduction motion. For instance
Speak to a experienced Glendale criminal defense attorney and find out how you can reduce a felony to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(b) PC. Our criminal defense attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, and Italian.
However, if the grant of asylum is always discretionary, the immigration judge must grant withholding of removal if the applicant meets the “more likely than not” standard. The credible testimony of the applicant may be sufficient to meet his burden of proof. If the applicant is able to show past persecution in his home country there will be a presumption that the applicant’s life or freedom will be threatened if the applicant is removed to that country.
The application for asylum also constitutes an application for withholding of removal, and the alien does not have to submit a separate application for that purpose. However, it should be noted that in contrast to asylum, the withholding of removal may be granted only by the immigration judge. Furthermore, the withholding of removal may be granted even though the alien has filed the application one year after his arrival to the United States. Withholding of removal is not available to an alien if:
To sum up, withholding of removal is an option for aliens fearing to return to their home country if the alien is not eligible for asylum. Although the grant of withholding of removal does not result in permanent resident status an alien can legally stay and work in the United States without the fear of being removed to his home country.
Give us a call, our attorneys at KAASS Law speak various languages including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
In Matter of Acosta, the Board of Immigration Appeals broke down the statutory definition of “refugee” into four elements: (a) the foreigner must have a fear of persecution; (b) the fear must be well-founded; (c) the fear must be on account of one of the grounds specified in INA § 101(a)(42); and (d) the foreigner must be unable or unwilling to go back to his home country or the country of his last habitual residence because of persecution or his well-founded fear of persecution. Matter of Acosta, 19 I. & N. Dec. 211, 219 (BIA 1985). Basically, the alien must show that he is unable or unwilling to return to his home country because of his well-founded fear of persecution and that the fear is on account of one of the grounds specified in INA § 101(a)(42).
In order to show a well-founded fear of persecution, the applicant does not have to prove that it is more likely than not that he will be persecuted in his home country. I.N.S. v. Cordoza-Fonseca, 480 U.S. 42, 449 (1987). An applicant may meet the requirement of having a well-founded fear of persecution if he is able to show that a reasonable person in his place would fear persecution. Bastanipour v. I.N.S., 980 F.2d 1129, 1133 (7th Cir. 1992).
The applicant must demonstrate both objective and subjective fear. Acewicz v. U.S. I.N.S., 984 F.2d 1056, 1061 (9th Cir. 1993) (internal citations omitted). The applicant may satisfy the subjective component by his own credible testimony that he genuinely fears persecution. Id. (internal citations omitted). The objective component may be satisfied by credible, direct and specific evidence of facts supporting reasonable fear of persecution. Id. (internal citations omitted). Potential asylum applicants shall also keep in mind that past persecution creates a presumption of future persecution which can only be overcome by a change in country conditions. In re Kasinga, 21 I. & N. Dec. 357, 371 (BIA 1996).
The applicant’s well-founded fear of persecution must be on account of one of the grounds specified in INA § 101(a)(42). These grounds include race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and political opinion. INA § 101(a)(42). If the alien’s fear of persecution is not based on one of these grounds, the alien is not eligible for applying for asylum. All the grounds specified in INA § 101(a)(42) are self-explanatory, except the membership in a particular social group.
A particular social group must be defined by an immutable characteristic which the members of the group either cannot change or shall not be forced to change because it is fundamental to their individual identities or consciences. Matter of Acosta, 19 I&N Dec 211, 233 (BIA 1985). A group can be considered to be a particular social group only if it meets the requirements of “particularity” and “social distinction.” The “particularity” requires that a particular social group is defined by characteristics that provide a clear benchmark for determining who is a member of the group. Matter of W-G-R-, 26 I. & N. Dec. 208, 213 (BIA 2014) (internal citation omitted). On the other hand, the “social distinction” requires that society in general perceive, consider or recognize persons sharing the particular characteristic to be a group. Id. at 217.
To sum up, only aliens who meet the statutory definition of “refugee” can apply for asylum in the US. The applicant will have to show that he has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of one of the grounds specified in INA if he goes back to his home country.
Give us a call, our immigration attorney for a free no obligation immigration consultation. speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
An alien’s late filed application for asylum may be considered if the applicant is able to show changed circumstances which materially affect the applicant’s eligibility for asylum. This exception is for aliens who did not qualify for asylum at the time of arrival, however, due to changed circumstances, they became eligible for asylum later. It should be noted that changed circumstances do not grant an automatic extension of the one-year period. The alien must file the application within reasonable time from the changed circumstances. Matter of T-M-H- & S-W-C-, 25 I. & N. 193, 194 (B.I.A. 2010) (internal citations omitted). If the alien files the application within six months from changed circumstances the decision-maker shall determine whether the time was reasonable taking into account the totality of circumstances. Id. If the applicant has waited one year or more, such delay may be excused only in case of particular circumstances. Id. Consequently, the applicant shall file the application at least within six months after the changed circumstances otherwise it will be difficult to show that the application was filed within a reasonable time.
The second exception to the one-year rule is extraordinary circumstances relating to the delay in filing the application for asylum. These circumstances shall refer to events or factors directly related to the failure to meet the one-year deadline. 8 C.F.R. § 208.4(a)(5). As in the case of changed circumstances, the application shall be filed within reasonable time given those circumstances. Id. The applicant shall prove that he has not intentionally created those circumstances, that they are directly related to his failure to submit the application within the specified deadline, and that the delay was reasonable under the circumstances. Id.
(a) Serious illness, mental or physical disability; (b) Legal disability; (c) Ineffective assistance of counsel; (d) The applicant maintained legal status or was given parole until a reasonable period before filing the application; (e) The applicant filed the application prior to the expiration of the one-year deadline, but the application was rejected by USCIS as not properly filed, was returned to the applicant for corrections, and was re-filed within a reasonable period thereafter; (f) The death or serious illness or incapacity of the applicant’s legal representative or the applicant’s immediate family member. Id. It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive. If an applicant was unable to file the application within the one-year deadline period of other extraordinary circumstances, not listed above, the decision-maker may forgive the failure to submit the application by the deadline. To sum up, an alien who qualifies for asylum shall file the application within one year after his arrival. If the alien fails to meet the deadline his application may be considered only if it was filed within a reasonable period after changed or extraordinary circumstances. To avoid any complications the qualifying applicant shall follow the one-year rule. Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.
After being arrested in California, several legal procedures take place. Familiarizing yourself with these steps can help you understand what to expect. The typical process includes:
During the arraignment, the judge reads the charges against you. You will be asked to enter a plea—guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This initial court appearance is crucial as it sets the stage for the legal proceedings to follow.
At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor presents evidence to a judge to demonstrate that there is enough suspicion to continue with the case. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, they will hold you to answer, allowing the prosecution to move the case to the trial court.
If the case moves forward, a second arraignment occurs approximately 14 days after the court holds you to answer. This hearing is typically held in a higher court (the Superior Court) where the charges will be formally reiterated, and further proceedings will be scheduled.
The pretrial hearing is a critical stage in which both the prosecution and defense may resolve outstanding issues before the trial. During this phase, motions may be filed by either side requesting the judge to rule on specific legal matters.
Finally, if the case proceeds to a jury trial, both the prosecution and defense will present their witnesses and evidence. A jury will analyze the information presented and ultimately deliver a verdict. The judge will then interpret this verdict and determine the appropriate sentencing.
Understanding the deadlines related to your case is essential for protecting your rights after being arrested in California:
If you wish to appeal a misdemeanor conviction, you must file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the judgment or order you are appealing.
If you are appealing, you need to file a notice regarding the record of oral proceedings within:
Understanding your rights when arrested in California is vital. These rights are designed to protect you and ensure a fair legal process. If you face legal challenges, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the complexities of the legal system. At KAASS LAW, our dedicated team is here to help you navigate your legal rights and options. Whether you need assistance understanding your Miranda rights or navigating the court process after being arrested in California, we are committed to providing you with expert legal counsel. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation. Your rights matter, and we are here to protect them.
Do you need more specific information? A Glendale immigration lawyer at KAASS LAW can provide you with any sort of legal assistance you may need. Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic.