Green Cards / Permanent Residency

A lawful permanent resident (LPR) can live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis and given a “green card” as proof of that status. Lawful permanent residents can leave and re-enter the U.S. but can lose status if they are outside of the U.S. for too long. Most lawful permanent residents are eligible the apply for naturalization (U.S. citizenship) after 3 or 5 years, depending on how LPR status was acquired.

There are a variety of paths to getting a green card, with the most common being through an immigrant relative petition filed by a close family member. Not everyone with a family member qualifies, however, which is why it is important to consult with an immigration professional before applying.

Naturalization

United States citizenship has its advantages – no more green card renewals, the ability to vote, ease in travel to many countries, and the ability to petition certain family members to immigrate to the U.S. Applying for citizenship can have some pitfalls, too, because any application submitted to USCIS gives the government the opportunity to heavily scrutinize the applicant’s background. This can sometimes lead to removal (deportation proceedings) if real or perceived issues are uncovered. For these reasons, It is best to have your options professionally evaluated, and Aloha Immigration can help with that, along with application preparation and representation during your interview.

Visa and Apostille Processing

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are issued by consulates abroad, and visas are required for many people seeking admission to the U.S. for business, to visit, or to reside long-term.  Aloha Immigration offers assistance to help you determine the best visa option available, filing petitions and assistance with the often confusing process of visa issuance at foreign consulates.
On the other hand, an apostille (pronounced “ah-po-steel” and is French for “certification”) is a validated birth, death, marriage, civil union and divorce certificate by the Hawaii State Department of Health. Aloha Immigration can directly arrange these important documents as well for our clients.

Support for Human Trafficking / Domestic Violence Survivors

Over the years, U.S. immigration laws have expanded to provide options for survivors of many different types of serious crimes including domestic violence from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent or spouse, human trafficking, and other crimes. Aloha Immigration has assisted hundreds of people subjected to such trauma to be able to remain in the U.S. where they can work on rebuilding their lives.

Conditional Permanent Residence (Form I-751)

Marriages to U.S. citizens that are less than 2 years in duration at the time of green card issuance result in a 2-year conditional permanent resident (CPR) status.  Before the end of that 2-year status period, USCIS requires the filing of additional documentation.  Sometimes marriages don’t survive the 2-year period, and often the immigrant spouse can file to remove the CPR status alone. We can explain the options and steps to removing CPR status and help in gaining the 10-year green card.

Immigration Court

Getting served with a Notice to Appear (“NTA”) for Immigration Court can be a stressful and scary experience.  With 20 years of experience in representing individuals in removal proceedings, Aloha Immigration can provide a comprehensive evaluation of options to fight for you to stay in the U.S. We have extensive experience in bond hearings, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, waivers, asylum and withholding and other forms of relief from deportation.