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Immigration Lawyers in Boston, MA | 30+ Years of Experience
Our immigration lawyers in Boston, MA have a successful track record processing all types of immigration petitions, including U.S. non-immigrant visas; family and employment residency petitions / green cards; U.S. citizenship / naturalization applications; deportation defense and cancellation of deportation (10 year law); as well as immigration special programs such as asylum, DACA, and TPS. As seasoned litigators, we have also been very successful filing lawsuits against USCIS for excessive delays (writs of mandamus) and helping to minimize the consequences of past criminal charges or convictions in an immigration matter.
There may be different ways to reach a goal, but only focusing our client’s needs and situation we can figure out what will be the best way for them. This is why our immigration attorneys take the time to listen to our clients so that we understand what matters to them most and devise the best strategy in their case. We also strive to make the process less stressful, by breaking it down in to action items and supporting and advising you at every step of the way. Our goal is to solve your immigration problems effectively and provide you with the best immigration legal services in Boston.
Click on the name of the immigration petition for more information on eligibility requirements, benefits, processes, documents needed, and legal fees, and here for frequently asked immigration questions, client immigration success stories and client testimonials.
U.S. Visas / Visas to the U.S.
Although many immigrants come to live permanently in the United States through a family members sponsorship, employment sponsorship, or a job offer, there are other ways to obtain a non-immigrant U.S. visa, that will grant permission to live and work in the U.S. for a specific period of time or purpose on a temporary basis. Below are some of the most common non-immigrant US visas:
- E-1 Visa and E-2 Visa for investors and traders
- L-1 Visa for intra-company employee transfers
- H-1B Visa for professional employees and specialty occupation work
- K-1 Visa for Alien Finacé (e)
- O Visas— for foreigners of outstanding ability
- U Visa for victims of crime
- TN Visa
- R Visas—for Religious Worker
- J-1 visa waivers (to waive the 2 year home country stay requirement)— for J-1 exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural exchange
U.S. Residency / Green Card
Our Boston green card immigration lawyers can assist clients in obtaining US legal permanent residency (Green Card), which permits individuals to work and reside permanently in the United States. You can become a legal permanent resident in the U.S. in different ways; however, most individuals obtain their U.S. Green Card by being sponsored by either an immediate family member via a family-based green card petition, specifically for: spouses, children, step-children, parents and brothers / sisters of US citizens and for spouses and children of U.S. residents); or being sponsored by an employer in the U.S. through an employment based green card/residency petition.
- Family Residency is the U.S. / Family U.S. Green Cards
- Marriage Residency in the U.S. / Green Card for Spouse
- Same-sex U.S. Residence / Green Card for Same-sex Spouse
- I-751 Removal of Residency Conditions
- From TPS to Green Card / U.S. Residency
- Employment Residency in the U.S.
At FitzGerald & Company, LLC, our green card attorneys work together with you and your family members or employer to identify and minimize potential issues and resolve them before applying for any petition, so that when your case is filed with USCIS, it is in the best shape to obtain approval.
U.S. Citizenship / Naturalization
Our U.S. citizenship lawyers have extensive experience processing even the most complex US citizenship/naturalization cases and can save you valuable time and effort in preparing your applications as well as avoiding costly delays created by errors in making your own applications or utilizing notaries who are unauthorized in the practice of law.
If you have spent considerable time outside the US as a US legal permanent resident, have had issues with prior immigration applications, or have had any criminal charges, it is particularly important that you contact a citizenship attorney for assistance with your US citizenship case. Call us at 617-303-2600 (ext. 0) for an initial consultation with one of our immigration lawyers if you are in the Massachusetts or New England area.
- U.S. Citizenship / Naturalization Process
- U.S. Citizenship FAQs
- U.S. Citizenship Civics Exam Questions and Answers
Other U.S. Immigration Applications and Services
In addition to our extensive experience assisting clients with the entire gamut of US immigration visas and processes, our Boston immigration attorneys have successfully litigated in Immigration and Federal Courts. Specifically, we have helped our clients with:
- Cancellation of removal / deportation (10 Year Law)
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
- Asylum
- I-601A and I-601 waivers
- Law suits against the USCIS / writs of mandamus for unusual delays
- Deportation defense
- Immigration Haitian Relief Act petitions
- NACARA (Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act) Petitions
- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Immigration Petitions—grant immigration status for battered non-citizen spouses
- Federal Court Petitions
- Immigration Appeals
- Immigration Court Proceedings
- Petitions for Review of Administrative Agency Decisions
Immigration and Criminal Defense
Almost any criminal charge or conviction can have a negative impact on an individual’s immigration status. Therefore if you are an immigrant and are facing or have ever faced criminal charges it is beneficial to hire a law firm with both criminal and immigration expertise such as FitzGerald Law Company. Our immigration and criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience re-opening old criminal cases and when appropriate vacating or changing the disposition of a case to prevent or minimize immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Below are some examples and ways in which we have successfully done this for our clients.
- Immigration impact of criminal charges even without a conviction
- Vacating criminal convictions for immigration purposes
- Minimizing immigration problems due to criminal charges or convictions
- What Happens With Your Immigration Status If You Get Arrested By The Police?
Informational immigration videos can be found here.
If you are interested in immigrating to the United States or legalizing your immigration status in the U.S., call us at: 617-303-2600 (Ext. 0) and make an appointment to meet with one of our immigration attorneys who will be happy to assist you. Once you schedule your appointment make sure to read: How to prepare to meet with us.
FAQ
If I have a child who is a U.S. citizen, can I obtain legal status in the U.S.?
You can do so under two circumstances:
1). If your child is over the age of 21 with the ability to support you, your child can file a residency petition for you, if you came into the U.S. with a visa. If you did not enter the U.S. with a visa, you may be eligible for a waiver (or pardon) that may allow you to adjust to legal status, or you may also adjust status if you are 245(i) eligible (see explanation below of who is 245(i) eligible); or
2). If you have been in the U.S. for 10 years and you can demonstrate that your child of any age will suffer an extreme hardship if you are removed to your native country, you may file for cancellation of removal or deportation.
Does a person have to speak to the police after they have been arrested?
No, the US constitution, as well as the Federal and State laws, do not require an individual who has been arrested to speak to the authorities, with the exception of providing basic information about one’s identity. The decision of whether or not to speak to the police is a very important one and it should be evaluated with your attorney as soon as possible.
When is it worth to litigate/fight your personal injury case in court?
A case is usually taken to court, when a settlement offer does not adequately compensate for the suffering you have endured due to the accident or incident or when the other party is not willing to accept its liability/responsibility. Our Boston personal injury lawyers will review the circumstances surrounding your case to recommend the best alternative for the most successful result. After all, our compensation is directly tied to your success and our business depends on our satisfied clients referring us new clients.
How can I obtain work authorization in U.S.?
To obtain work authorization, you must first be eligible for it. In order to be eligible for work authorization, you must have entered the U.S. with a visa that allows work authorization. For example, K-1, U Visa, Optional Practical Training (OPT), derivative beneficiaries of E, H, & L visas, etc., or you if you have a residency application pending and you are eligible to adjust status and there is a visa immediately available, you may be eligible to obtain work authorization. (The specific point in time at which you are eligible depends on the specific circumstances of your entry into the U.S.). You should consult your attorney to identify if you are eligible. You are not eligible to obtain work authorization with a visitor or tourist visa.To obtain work authorization you must file an I-765 application with the Immigration Service at either a local office or at a service center. Upon approval of the application you will receive the authorization in the mail.
What are the general requirements to become a naturalized U.S. citizen?
In most situations, a person is eligible to apply for Naturalization (U.S. citizenship), if they meet the following criteria:
– Have been a Legal Permanent Resident for the last 5 years (or possibly 3 years if your spouse is a US citizen) and have maintained the residency continuously.
– Be at least 18 years old.
– Have good moral character.
– Have the ability to speak, read and write in English and pass a civics test about U.S. history and government. (See The Citizenship Test: Study materials)
– Have been physically present in the U.S. at least half of the required time as a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.
– Take an oath of allegiance and swear loyalty to the United States.
Can I apply for U.S. citizenship while my application for removal of residency conditions, I-751, is still pending?
Yes, you may apply for naturalization if your I-751 (removal of residency conditions) application is still pending, as long you have been married to the U.S. citizen for at least 3 years and you meet all the other U.S. citizenship requirements.
Can I obtain my residency through employment, if my boss wants to sponsor me?
To be eligible for an Employment Based Residency, you (the beneficiary) must meet all of the criteria in one of the three following categories:
Category I:
– Must be living in the U.S. on or before December 21, 2000 (According to the former INA §245(i) law. Currently there are more than one proposed amendment to this statute which impose different statutory date limitations for filing. Therefore it is advisable to initiate this procedure as soon as possible if the requirements are fulfilled).
– Must have never left the U.S. without permission of The U.S. Immigration Service.
– Must have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer, who has agreed to sponsor the beneficiary for the residency.
– Must receive a salary equal to or above the prevailing wage offered for such a position in the State in which the job will be performed.
Category II:
– Must be lawfully present in the U.S. on a current nonimmigrant visa.
– Must not have violated conditions of the nonimmigrant visa.
Category III:
– Must be residing outside the U.S.
– Must not have been previously deported or removed from the U.S.
– Must not be subject to an order of removal, exclusion, or deportation.
If I had an interview with the USCIS and/or filed my application a very long time ago, but have not received a decision on my case, can I do anything to expedite the process?
You may file a legal action against the USCIS to demand that they provide you with an answer to your petition or adjudicate the application if the immigration service is taking longer than normal to make a decision on your case.The following page of our site contains information on eligibility, process, costs, and documents needed to file such a legal action: Immigration Against U.S. Lawsuit
Our staff is multilingual and multicultural, with employees that have immigrated to the United States or are first-generation Americans.
This means that we not only understand our client’s case, but we understand where our client’s are coming from and what they are experiencing with respect to immigration.
Client Testimonials
Read what our clients have shared about their experiences working with our team and the support they received throughout their legal journey.
Great experience with FitzGerald Law Company – knowledgeable attorney, friendly staff, and smooth green card process. Highly recommended!
Jayne Procopio
Excellent lawyers – helpful, responsive, and always ready to answer questions. Highly recommended to friends and family!
Gerson Lemus
Zrinka and her team were fantastic – attentive, helpful, and made a long process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended!
Laurence Wilson
Professional, caring team that handled a complex case with expertise and dedication – resulting in a successful green card. Highly recommended!
Margaret Muguku
Highly recommend FitzGerald Law Company – Desmond and his team are fantastic, professional, and easy to work with!
Joe Ryan
Kind, knowledgeable team who offered free guidance during a stressful immigration issue – reassuring, detailed, and truly caring. Highly recommended!
Allison Baker
Serious, dedicated team providing clear explanations and excellent service. Highly recommended!
Livia Liberato
Amazing team – professional, helpful, and excellent service. Highly recommended for legal help!
Ray T.
Trusted for years – Desmond and his team secured green cards for our family and never gave up. Life-changing results. Highly recommended!
Evjo Gjura
Top immigration law firm in the Boston area – reliable, skilled, and great with complex cases. You're in excellent hands!
Gleni Kajdo
Watch real clients share their stories, experiences, and outcomes in their own words.
Client video testimonial showing an immigrant client from Brazil and her American husband sharing their experience with our Boston immigration lawyers obtaining a Green Card (American Residency) through marriage.
Sandra G.
Client video testimonial showing an immigrant client from Egypt sharing his experience in court, working with the immigration and criminal defense lawyer Desmond P. FitzGerald, of FitzGerald & Company
Ahmed B.
Client video testimonial showing an immigrant client from Scotland sharing his experience working with the immigration lawyer Desmond P. FitzGerald and how he received his investor E1 visa that allowed him to start his own company in the U.S.
Alistair M.
A client shares how entering the U.S. illegally made getting residency difficult, even after marrying a citizen. And how the lawyers at FitzGerald Law Company helped successfully navigate the complex process.
Yuri A.
Success Stories
At FitzGerald Law Company, we believe that all clients should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of legal status, national origin, culture, or language.
This core belief together with the ever-growing need for effective legal services for immigrants in the U.S., drove us to develop our guiding principles and the vision and mission of service that are the foundation of our firm.
Recent posts
Explore recent articles covering legal updates, helpful resources, and answers to common questions.
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