Lakewood Immigration Lawyer

We can help you with all of your immigration needs, including:

• Citizenship and Naturalization
• Family-Based Immigration Services
• Deportation and Removal Process Defense
• Visas
• Green Cards

How Do I Choose an Immigration Lawyer in Lakewood, Washington?

There are many Immigration Attorneys in the Lakewood, Washington area – how do you decide who to see for help with your immigration needs? At Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law, we believe that the best Immigration Attorney is one who will be as passionate about your case as you are. In general, we suggest the following steps when looking for an Immigration Lawyer:

• Get a referral:  Ask your friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors for a referral for an Immigration Attorney they have used or know of.
• Do your research:  Spend time looking at the attorney’s online presence, read client reviews, and dig into their website.
• Make sure the Immigration Attorney you are considering seeing specializes in and has plenty of experience with Immigration Law.
• Accept offers of free consultations:  Use this as an opportunity to ask them your questions, and really get a feel as to whether or not you will work well together.
• Find out about fees:  Ask about their fee schedule up front. Don’t wait for an expensive surprise bill – make sure you understand what their services will cost you.
• Find someone who is passionate about helping you and your family members achieve your immigration goals!

How Much Will an Immigration Attorney Cost Me?

Navigating the immigration system of the U.S. can be confusing and very stressful. Adding stress about legal fees in order to get your immigration needs taken care of is the last thing an Immigration Attorney wants to do. Whether your goal is to have a short visit to the United States or to become a permanent resident, there are a myriad of requirements to fulfill. This can be a time-consuming process.

At Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law, our goal is to see our clients succeed. Because we understand how much time immigration cases can take, we want our clients to be able to use our help but not be overwhelmed with fees. All of our immigration services are offered to our clients on a “flat fee” basis. Put simply, this means we will not charge an hourly fee for immigration-related services – there will be a set fee for each specific service we provide. This helps our clients by saving them money and prevents costly surprise bills at the end of our time working together.

In addition to a flat fee schedule, we are also pleased to offer a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Immigration Lawyers. This appointment gives you the opportunity to explain what you need and ask your questions. Our Immigration Attorney can give you honest feedback regarding your immigration concerns. Our goal in providing this service is to help our clients have the information they need in order to make the decision about hiring an attorney to help them in their immigration process.

How Do I Get a Visa to Come to the United States?

If you or a family member would like to come to the U.S., whether for a brief visit or with the intention of staying permanently, you would be required to apply for a visa. There are over 180 different types of visas, however – a testament to the complexity of the U.S. immigration system.

Visas are granted based on the amount of time an individual intends to be in the United States, as well as based upon the reason for the visit. It is important to determine the correct application that you will need, as mistakes in this can cause delays in processing time as well as be costly due to the application fees.

Immigrant visas are granted to those who wish to live in the United States permanently. Non-immigrant visas are granted to individuals who are permanent residents of another country, but who wish to visit or stay in the U.S. temporarily. The most common non-immigrant visas are:

• F-1 Visa (Student visa to study in the U.S.)
• M-1 Visa (Student studying Vocational Studies in the U.S.)
• J-1 Visa (Cultural exchange, especially medical or business training)
• Work Visas – E, H, L, and P category visas
• U Visa (Victim of criminal activity in the U.S.)

Visa applications are time consuming and complex. An experienced Immigration Attorney can help you determine exactly which visa you need, and help you through the process. The processing and wait time to receive a visa will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. For the most up-to-date information on visa wait time, visit The Visa Bulletin.

With a free consultation and a set fee schedule, the Immigration Attorneys at Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law can help you feel confident in the process of selecting the correct visa for your needs and moving forward with your application. Call us today at (253) 204-2245 to meet with a local Lakewood Immigration Attorney for all of your immigration needs.

How Can I Assist My Family Members in Attaining a Green Card?

Family-based immigration can help individuals come to the United States if they have an immediate family member who is already a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S. There are two types of family visa options available. First is the Immediate Relative Immigrant visa; second is Family Preference visa. Application requirements include the status of the individual already in the U.S. as well as their family relationship with the individual who desires to live here.

To qualify for an Immediate Relative visa, you must be either a spouse of a U.S. citizen, an unmarried child of a U.S. citizen under the age of 21, or a parent of a child over the age of 21who is a U.S. citizen.  There is an unlimited number of Immediate Relative visas granted each year, so the wait time is very short for this type of visa.

The Family Preference visa allows both U.S. citizens as well as permanent residents (green card holders) to assist their family members in coming to the U.S. legally. These visas are granted to individuals who do not meet the requirements as immediate relatives – specific, more distant family relationships with a U.S. citizen, or certain specific relationships with a permanent resident. There is a limited number of Family Preference visas granted each year, so the wait time could range anywhere from 18 months to 25 years or more.

As a general guideline to keep in mind, U.S. citizens can file an immigrant visa petition for their:

• Spouse
• Son or daughter
• Parent
• Brother or sister

Lawful permanent residents can only file an immigrant visa petition for their:

• Spouse
• Unmarried child

Deportation Defense Services in Lakewood, Washington

The Immigration Attorneys at Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law in Lakewood have helped hundreds of families navigate their way through deportation and removal proceedings. It can be terrifying to find yourself or a family member locked up due to immigration issues. Whether you’re being held by ICE, or you’ve already had a deportation hearing and you are not satisfied with the outcome – a Lakewood immigration lawyer can help you.

If you are going through the deportation process and you feel your rights aren’t being protected and your needs aren’t being addressed, call Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law today. You may have grounds for an appeal. With a free consultation, we can discuss your options to give you the information you need to move forward. Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law has experienced local Immigration Attorneys in Lakewood, Washington who are passionate about helping you achieve your immigration goals while protecting your rights.