Deportation Defense Immigration Attorney
Of all legal situations that could arise, immigration matters are among the most important for an individual or family. Gaining legal status in the USA can be challenging and could require the assistance of a skilled immigration lawyer who provides personalized support.
At our law office, your immigration matter will be managed by an Alexandria immigration attorney who is driven to help others gain the benefits and opportunities of living and working in the USA. Your path to legal status is unique to your situation. Whether you need assistance for family immigration, are seeking a green card, or need to be granted asylum status, our founder, Carmen A. Boykin, offers clients personalized attention, compassionate support, and a breadth of experience in immigration legal matters.
You can be confident that your legal issue will be handled professionally to ensure it is resolved without unnecessary delays. Immigration to the U.S. is challenging, with a complex application process and extensive documentation. Any error can cause a long delay or a denial. We invite you to get help from an immigration attorney who will support you throughout the process.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Solutions
Every immigration journey is unique, and so is our approach. We create custom strategies. At our boutique firm, you can be confident that every detail is addressed with professional skill, whether you are seeking legal status for a family member, need to defend against the risk of deportation and removal, or want to apply for U.S. citizenship and any other immigration law matter.
A Human Rights-Focused Perspective
Immigration is far more than paperwork—it’s about people, their hopes and dreams, and their futures. Our practice was founded on the belief that everyone has the right to dignity, justice, and opportunity. We approach every case with compassion and personalized care, advocating for the people we represent.
Comprehensive Immigration Law Services
From family-based petitions to asylum and naturalization, we provide guidance in the full scope of immigration services. Whether you’re starting an application or resolving complex legal issues, our experience in legal matters is invaluable. You will be supported at every stage of the journey.
A Trusted Advocate in the Immigration System
The immigration process is complicated. Our immigration attorney will stand by you with clear, honest communication and unwavering advocacy. With our knowledge of law and focus on achieving success, we can help you navigate the challenges and pursue the most favorable outcome.
Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity
Immigration issues often intersect with culture, race, and identity. We understand the impact of these issues and approach each case with sensitivity and respect. Our practice values diversity and strives to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Your Neighborhood Immigration Law Firm
Our boutique law firm offers personalized, high-quality, approachable, professional representation. We prioritize building strong relationships with our clients and top-tier legal counsel in a welcoming and accessible environment. Please consider us the neighborhood legal center for immigration law, where you can expect support, comfort, and personalized service.
Call Boykin Law Firm PLLC at 202-796-6644 for an immigration attorney who provides exceptional support and service.
A Results-Driven Boutique Immigration Law Firm in Alexandria
Several law firms in the Alexandria area offer immigration legal services. It can be hard to know where to turn for help in resolving an immigration issue. At the Boykin Law Firm PLLC, you will be informed about the progress of your case as it moves through the system. Our immigration lawyer genuinely cares about the people she represents. You will enjoy personalized service and effective representation. Many larger law firms can be impersonal, where you rarely talk to your attorney or get a fast return call to get an update on the progress of your case. When you work with us, we fully understand the importance of your immigration goals. We work closely with all our clients at every step.
The Significant Challenges of Immigration Cases
Navigating the U.S. immigration system is complicated, with a vast number of laws, rules, regulations, and requirements. An application submission must be accurate and submitted in the form USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) requires. Our law firm’s founder is deeply committed to human rights and civil rights, approaching every case with cultural awareness, respect, and a passion for justice and fairness.
Whether you’re seeking a visa, permanent residency, removal defense, or citizenship, we provide personalized support to help you overcome any obstacle. Our founder brings a profound commitment and a philosophy of superior care. Your journey to seeking legal status for a family member, your fiancé, asylum, or citizenship can be a joyful and rewarding experience when you have the support of an Alexandria immigration lawyer focused on taking the correct actions that could lead to success.
Discover an Immigration Attorney You Can Trust
Choosing your immigration lawyer is a critical decision. The outcome of the case will shape your future or the life experiences of your loved ones. Immigration law is complex and can change from year to year. It is imperative to have the support of an immigration lawyer who stays abreast of the latest changes in law and has a proven track record of success, whether in family-based petitions, asylum applications, employment visas, family immigration, naturalization, or deportation defense.
At the Boykin Law Firm PLLC, our support goes far beyond just helping you with the paperwork—we offer skilled immigration legal support with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and deep respect for the many diverse people who have made the U.S. a great country. We invite you to meet to discuss your immigration legal issue for guidance on proceeding.
Client Reviews
USCIS: How Long Will an Immigration Issue Take?
The immigration system in the U.S. moves more slowly than we would like. Depending on the immigration issue, it is not unusual for a case to take many months or, for some legal matters, over a year. If a faster resolution is an urgent matter, our immigration lawyer can take action to expedite your case. If you need to bring your loved ones to the USA, waiting for months, a year, or longer is very difficult.
USCIS varies in how long it takes to achieve a final determination due to backlogs and the high numbers of applications, petitions, and requests. Virginia has a massive number of pending cases. Our immigration lawyer can advise you about your options that could expedite the process. One of the most critical strategies that can speed immigration cases is to ensure your application is submitted correctly, with all supporting documentation in the format USCIS requires, and we are here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Green card applications will reflect the applicant’s situation. Some pathways to legal status include family petitions, employment petitions, or self-petitions like asylum, or the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). For family sponsorship, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents can apply for a relative to gain legal status and the ability to work in the country for close relatives, with spouses and young children a priority.
A visa is a temporary document allowing foreign nationals to enter the U.S. for a specifically named purpose, such as tourism, work, or study. Visas have expiration dates, and many conditions are tied to visa issuance. A green card grants the holder of the card permanent residency in the USA, allowing the holder to live and work in the U.S. without restrictions. Visa holders are required to leave when the visa expires. Green card holders can stay in the U.S. permanently and apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or 3 years if you are married to a US citizen) to gain all citizenship rights. To apply for citizenship in Virginia, you must have lived here continuously for three months.
Green card applications can work while waiting for your green card, but you must have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This document can be obtained by filing Form I-765 with USCIS, which can be filed along with your green card application. The EAD gives you the legal right to work for any U.S. employer while your green card application moves through the system. The processing time associated with an EAD varies, and applying as early as possible is essential. It is strongly advised that you do not engage in any unauthorized employment before receiving your EAD, as if discovered, it can put your green card application at risk.
Asylum status is granted to individuals facing persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or some other issues. Asylees can apply for protection when arriving in the U.S. or at a port of entry. To qualify for asylum, you must establish a well-founded fear of persecution with supporting facts to prove that returning to your home country could lead to terrible consequences. Successful asylum seekers can live and work in the U.S. and can eventually apply for permanent residency (green card). The asylum process is complicated. Having legal representation improves your chances of presenting a successful immigration case.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) can sponsor specific family members for green cards through family-based immigration. U.S. citizens can petition for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Green card holders can sponsor spouses and unmarried children. The process involves filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS, with documentation to prove the family relationship, and agreeing to financial sponsorship. Processing times depend on relationship categories and quotas for various countries.
Obtaining a fiancé visa (K-1 visa) can take seven to ten months, but the timeline can vary. The process begins with filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS. Processing this petition will take four to six months. Once the visa is approved, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing, which adds several more weeks. The fiancé petition is then transferred to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your fiancé(e)’s home country for an interview, which could add one to three months to the process. Delays may occur due to incomplete applications, security checks, or embassy backlogs. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help the process go smoothly.
Green card applicants can travel while the case is pending but must take certain precautions to avoid problems. Before leaving the U.S. for travel, you must gain “Advance Parole,” a document allowing you to reenter the U.S. on your return—or you may not be allowed back in the country. Advance Parole can be requested by filing Form I-131 with USCIS. Without this document, leaving the U.S. can result in the abandonment of your application. You must ensure you do not have any unresolved immigration violations, such as unlawful entry, that could impact being allowed back to the U.S. Consult with our immigration attorney to confirm eligibility and ensure compliance with all requirements before you make any travel plans—your ability to gain legal status could depend on it.
While you can attempt to manage an immigration legal matter without the help of an immigration attorney, the USCIS does not make it easy for regular people. Hiring an immigration lawyer is not a legal requirement, but having this support can significantly improve your chances of success and help you avoid the many pitfalls. Even minor errors can lead to a delay, denial, or even removal proceedings. Our experienced lawyer ensures your application is accurate, complete, and meets all the current regulations. You may need our attorney to identify the best legal strategy for your situation, to represent you in immigration court, and to engage with USCIS on your behalf. If your case involves challenges such as prior visa overstays, a criminal record, an asylum claim, or deportation defense, the need for professional legal guidance cannot be overstated.