Full-Service Immigration Law Firm Specializing in
Deportation and Removal Defense
Call Now
832-288-2727 
Selecting an immigration representative can be an overwhelming step in your journey toward settling in the United States. In Houston, TX, where cultural diversity thrives, you deserve to work with professionals who are both compassionate and experienced. The importance of this decision cannot be understated, especially when dealing with sensitive situations like immigration. Cano Immigration, PLLC is dedicated to guiding clients through the nuances of U.S. immigration law with integrity and experience.
Immigration representatives, including immigration lawyers are responsible for guiding clients through the seriousness of immigration laws and processes. They provide services such as preparing legal documents, advising on visa applications, and representing clients in legal proceedings. A competent representative is well-versed in current immigration policies and can tailor their services to individual needs.
Fraud is a significant concern when selecting an immigration representative. Unscrupulous individuals may take advantage of vulnerable immigrants seeking legal help. In Houston, staying informed about potential scams is important. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regularly updates its resources to help the public identify fraudulent practices. Always ensure your representative has the necessary accreditation and is recognized by the relevant legal bodies like the Houston Bar Association or the Texas Bar Association.
Consider these warning signs that might indicate fraudulent activities:
In Houston, thorough due diligence includes consulting with trusted sources and cross-checking the credentials through official directories, such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Houston is home to a large immigrant community, which means there are numerous professionals available to assist. Finding the right match requires both research and patience. A reliable immigration lawyer like Olsa Cano stands out by offering transparent services built on a foundation of trustworthiness and expertise. She is also board certified.
Olsa Cano is committed to ensuring her clients understand their rights and the immigration processes that affect them. Cano Immigration, PLLC, located at 12141 Wickchester Ln Ste 600, offers comprehensive immigration law services with a compassionate approach.
When engaging with a potential immigration representative, it is important to ask the right questions like “are you a notary, or an attorney?” Notaries are not attorneys. Here are some other questions that you can ask:
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) governs immigration policy in the United States. It is crucial for immigrants and their representatives to be familiar with these regulations. For instance, INA Section 212 outlines grounds of inadmissibility which can include criminal history relevant to DWI charges. For further details, you may visit the official [USCIS website](https://www.uscis.gov).
In Texas, immigration enforcement also involves local agencies. Collaborations between such agencies and federal bodies mean it’s vital for your representative to have good local as well as federal legal knowledge.
Yes, a DWI can have consequences on your immigration status. It may impact your ability to get a visa, remain in the U.S., or seek citizenship. Therefore, it is necessary to seek legal advice immediately if you face such charges.
It is advisable to bring any identification, immigration documents, criminal records (if relevant), and any paperwork that is related to your immigration case.
Check with professional associations such as the State Bar of Texas for lawyers or consult official government-issued directories that list accredited immigration consultants and attorneys.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Houston Immigration Court | Visit Site |
| USCIS Houston Field Office | Visit Site |
| Texas State Bar | Visit Site |
By choosing Cano Immigration, clients receive support from a knowledgeable and considerate team led by Olsa Cano. With a firm grasp on immigration law, Olsa and her team ensure that each case is handled with the diligence it deserves. For those in Houston needing representation, trust in a dedicated legal partner can make an imperative difference in your immigration process.
For further inquiries or to schedule a consultation, you can contact Cano Immigration, PLLC at 832-288-2727.
During the first week of January 2023 and as a response to an unprecedented surge of migrants, particularly at our southern border, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new legal process for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
This new process, referred to as a parole process, mirrors very closely the Process for Venezuelans and the United for Ukraine Program that DHS implemented in 2022, and it is meant to provide a lawful and streamlined way for nationals of the four countries and their immediate family members to come to the United States. DHS has said that our government will accept up to 30,000 individuals per month, from these four countries, if they meet the required criteria.
Through a fully online and free process, individual nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela can be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advance authorization to travel to the United States and seek a temporary period of parole for up to two years. Individuals participating in this process must have a sponsor in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their period of stay.
To participate in this process, eligible nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela must:
To be a supporter/sponsor one must:
There are various steps that need to be completed before an individual is paroled in the USA for a two-year period.
First Step – Providing Financial Support
The first step is for the U.S.-based sponsor to file online Form I-134A, Request to be a Supporter, and Declaration of Financial Support. The sponsor must complete form I-134A for each beneficiary, including minor children. Individuals can’t apply unless the sponsor in the United States has filed this form and has confirmed the means of financial support.
Even though an individual is required to file, and sign Form I-134A, multiple supporters may join. Organizations, businesses, and other entities can provide support as well during this process.
Second Step – Submitting Biographic Information
After the USCIS approves the sponsor, the foreign national beneficiaries will be contacted and will be required to create a USCIS online account and enter biographic information and confirm eligibility.
Third Step – Submitting Request in CBP One Mobile Application
Next, the beneficiaries will be notified on how to access the CBP One Mobile Application, to confirm biographic information and provide a photo.
Fourth Step – Obtaining Advance Travel Authorization to Come to the USA
The beneficiaries will be notified if they will be issued a travel authorization, valid for 90 days. They must make their own arrangements to travel to the USA within 90 days of the issued travel authorization.
Fifth Step – Seeking Parole at Port of Entry
Once they arrive at any port of entry, a CBP officer will determine on a case-by-case basis if parole pursuant to the new process is warranted for the individuals.
Sixth Step – Being Paroled in the United States
If approved, the individuals will be admitted and issued a Parole for up to two years, and once in the USA they will be eligible to apply for work authorization for those two years, as well as obtain social security number and ID.
More information regarding the New Process for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans can be found at: https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV
While the Process for Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans seems promising and it may help address some of the urgent issues with our southern border, this process alone will not solve all pressing matters within our immigration system. We need a more permanent solution for the immigrants who flee their countries due to despair, and for the ones who are already in our country. Our government needs to commit once and for all to the cause of immigrants, and Congress must pass long-overdue immigration reform.
For many immigrants, obtaining US citizenship is often considered a tedious process. To be eligible for US citizenship application, you must be of a good moral and ethical standard. Certain past criminal or unlawful acts could limit your chances of getting citizenship. You might ask; What are those criminal or unlawful acts? Here, you will find the significant crimes that might limit your chances of receiving US citizenship.
For starters, the general question immigration officials will ask during your application process is whether or not you’ve been charged with, arrested for, or convicted for any unlawful act in the past. These crimes are not geographically limited to the States, meaning such illegal actions still count even if they were committed outside the country.
You should note that the nature of such crimes affects your application process differently. In essence, the severity of likely unlawful acts can cause a temporary or permanent bar on your request for US citizenship.
If you have been convicted of either murder or an aggravated felony after November 29, 1990, you are unlikely to get your US citizenship application approved. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), many crimes qualify as aggravated felonies and are usually the most significant. The most common crimes are rape, drug or firearm trafficking, prostitution, sexual abuse of a minor, running a prostitution business, racketeering, and fraud of at least $10,000.
However, some other misdemeanors may still be classified as aggravated felonies, including seemingly minor issues like resisting arrest, driving under the influence, and smuggling aliens into the US are some of the crimes that can mar your US citizenship application. The nature of these crimes can be somewhat complex; hence, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced immigration lawyer if you have any concerns.
Certain crimes could temporarily halt your application process. However, if you wait them out for a specific time and maintain a good moral attitude, it is likely for the USCIS to approve your citizenship application. Such acts include spending at least 180 days in jail or prison, operating a commercial vice enterprise, engaging in illegal vice activities, being convicted of or admitting to crimes of moral turpitude, having an illicit source of income such as gambling, or getting convicted of two or more gambling crimes.
Regardless of the nature of crimes committed, hiring the right professionals keeps you more informed and helps you know the necessary steps to achieve your desired outcome.
The immigration system in the US is quite intricate, and this is because of the rate at which foreign citizens troop into the USA annually. However, you would need a visa to enter the country except if you’re already a citizen of the country. The type of visa you get determines your immigrant status, the benefits you get, your stay, and some other basic details.
Below is a quick run-down of the possible immigration status of non-citizens in the US.
Immigrants with permanent resident status are also called Lawful Permanent Residents [LPR]. An LPR is an immigrant issued a green card while coming to the US. Over a million people obtain green cards every year, and they could be sponsored by employers and family members or upgrade from being a refugee.
With a permanent resident status, you can work and pay taxes just like an average US citizen. Also, a US LPR who has continuously stayed in the USA for three to four years is qualified to apply for American citizenship.
Short-term visa status is issued to immigrants who plan to stay in the US temporarily and leave when their visa elapses. However, they could decide to extend their visas to stay longer in the country, although it is still being determined.
Temporary visitor status is given to immigrants on business and visitor visas. Visitor visas, B-2, are issued to tourists, vacationers, and visitors for medical treatments. While business visas, B-1, to immigrants on a business mission. A temporary visa’s validity ranges between a month and ten years.
A student visa is issued to foreign citizens who wish to study in the US. A student visa is of three types; F1 visa, J1 visa, and M1 visa. F1 visa is still the most issued student visa in the US. F1 visa is given to students attending an academic program in America. They are suitable to run the program part-time and also work on campus.
A J1 visa is issued to students who wish to get practical training in the US to complete their studies. This type of visa also has the same opportunities as an F1 visa. Lastly, the M1 visa is issued to foreigners who want a vocational program in the US. A student on an M1 visa is not allowed to work during the training.
These conditional permanent resident immigrants in the US are predominantly alien spouses and their children who apply for LPR based on a qualifying marriage to an LPR citizen. The conditional status usually expires after two years unless the alien and the spouse have already filed for LPR before the expiration.
Finally, it is best to know the immigrant status and be conversant with the current news. Things that were once allowed in the immigration system might no longer be acceptable. It’s advisable to gather some information before you apply for any visa of your choice.
A non-immigrant visa is a type of visa that permits individuals to stay in the US on short visits. Unlike immigrant visas like green cards, people with non-immigrant visas in the US cannot stay permanently, and this visa type has both start and end dates after the stay expires. Some scenarios of non-immigrants include tourism, business purposes, health grounds, college, etc.
Anyone who is not a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident requires a non-immigrant visa to visit the country temporarily. However, it is good to know that citizens of certain countries will not need a non-immigrant visa as long as the visit will not extend beyond 90 days. This arrangement is called the “Visa Waiver Program,” which applies to 38 countries, especially EU countries.
Applying for a non-immigrant visas in the US does pose considerable stress, and all you need is to follow the due process and gather the required documents.
The first step to acquiring a non-immigrant Visa in the US is completing the form DS-160. This form allows you to provide personal information, including travel and employment history, family information, etc.
Applying for a Non-immigrant visa comes at a cost. Once you fill out the DS-160 form, you should pay the visa fee to the consulate in charge of visa services.
The next step is scheduling a visa interview at the US consulate or embassy. You can research the US department’s state appointment wait times, and the wait time depends on the US embassy you schedule an appointment with.
The supporting documents will determine if your visa will be approved or not. These documents include your interview appointment letter, international passport, proof of payment, and form DS-160 confirmation page. You might also have to show evidence of non-immigrant intent, which shows your intention to return to your country after the visit.
The consular officer gets the time to review your documents and application. You will also have your fingerprints taken and swear an oath. Expect to answer many questions as accurately as possible.
You can either have your visa approved or denied depending on several factors. Once your visa is approved, you can travel to the US any time before the expiry date.
Note: US immigration laws enforce substantial consequences for staying beyond your visa due date. Therefore, it is best to keep the entry and expiry dates on your visa in mind.