Immigration decisions shape entire futures — yours, your spouse's, your children's. The stakes are too high to navigate alone, and the system rarely makes things simple. At De La Rosa Law, our immigration team helps individuals and families across the United States move forward with confidence: from a fiancé(e) or spouse applying for a green card, to a family fighting a deportation case, to a longtime resident finally ready to become a U.S. citizen.
We are a bilingual immigration law firm — we work in English and Spanish so nothing gets lost in translation when it matters most. Wherever you live in the U.S., you deserve an immigration attorney who explains your options in plain language, tells you the truth about your case, and stands with you through every step.
Your first conversation with us is free and confidential. Call us or request a free case evaluation to find out where you stand.
Who We Help
Immigration law touches people from every walk of life. You do not need to have it all figured out before you talk to a lawyer — that is our job. We regularly help:
- Spouses and fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens and green-card holders seeking lawful permanent residence.
- Families petitioning for parents, children, and siblings to reunite in the United States.
- Immigrants living abroad who are processing their immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- People in removal (deportation) proceedings who have received a Notice to Appear or are detained.
- Asylum seekers who fear returning to their home country.
- Survivors of crime, domestic violence, and abuse who may qualify for humanitarian protection.
- Lawful permanent residents ready to apply for U.S. citizenship.
- Dreamers who hold or once held DACA and need to renew or understand their options.
- Workers, professionals, and investors exploring employment- or investment-based pathways.
If you do not see your situation on this list, that does not mean we cannot help. Immigration cases are rarely "standard." Talk to an immigration lawyer about your specific facts.
Why Choose De La Rosa Law for Your Immigration Case
We are genuinely bilingual
Many firms advertise "se habla español." We practice in Spanish. Founding attorney Oscar De La Rosa and our team communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients — no third-party interpreter standing between you and your lawyer. For immigrant families, that means you understand every form you sign and every decision you make.
We serve clients nationwide
We are based in Miami, Florida, and we represent clients across the United States. Immigration law is primarily federal law: the same statutes, the same agencies — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State, and the immigration courts (Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR) — apply whether you live in Florida, Texas, California, or anywhere in between. Our office is in Miami, and attorney Oscar De La Rosa is admitted to the Florida Bar; because immigration matters are filed with federal agencies and much of a case is handled by mail, online, and by video, we are able to represent clients located throughout the country.
We tell you the truth
No honest lawyer can promise you a green card, a grant of asylum, or any immigration outcome. What we can promise is straight talk: an honest assessment of your eligibility, the risks, the realistic timeline, and the cost. If we believe a different strategy serves you better, we will say so.
We treat you like a person, not a file number
Immigration cases are deeply personal. We know you may be frightened, separated from loved ones, or exhausted by years of uncertainty. We aim to be the steady, knowledgeable advocate you can call when you do not know what to do next.
Our Immigration Services
Below is an overview of the immigration matters we handle. Each links to a dedicated, in-depth guide. If you are not sure which category fits you, that is normal — request a free case evaluation and we will help you identify the right path.
Family & Marriage-Based Immigration
For most people, the fastest route to a green card runs through a close family relationship.
- Marriage green card lawyer — Getting lawful permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, including the family petition (Form I-130) and adjustment of status (Form I-485) for spouses already in the United States.
- Family-based immigration lawyer — Petitioning for parents, children, and siblings, understanding the visa preference categories and the visa bulletin backlog, and meeting the affidavit-of-support requirement.
- Consular processing lawyer — How a family member abroad obtains an immigrant visa through the National Visa Center (NVC) and a U.S. consulate, including the DS-260 and the consular interview.
Deportation Defense & Humanitarian Protection
When someone faces removal — or fears returning home — the stakes could not be higher.
- Deportation defense lawyer — Defending against removal in immigration court, including responding to a Notice to Appear, bond hearings, cancellation of removal, and appeals.
- Asylum lawyer — Applying for asylum in the United States (affirmative and defensive), the Form I-589, the one-year filing deadline, and related protections such as withholding of removal.
- U visa lawyer / VAWA attorney — Humanitarian immigration relief for victims of certain crimes (U visa), survivors of abuse by a U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident family member (VAWA self-petition), and victims of trafficking (T visa).
Citizenship & Status
For those building a permanent future in the U.S. — or protecting the status they have.
- Naturalization lawyer — Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization (Form N-400), including the eligibility rules, the English and civics test, the interview, and the oath of allegiance.
- DACA lawyer — Help for Dreamers with DACA renewals and understanding the program's evolving legal status. As of June 2026, USCIS continues to accept and process DACA renewal requests and the related work-permit applications, but it is not processing first-time (initial) requests while litigation over the program continues; because this posture can change, we confirm the current status on USCIS.gov before advising. (Source: USCIS, uscis.gov/DACA.)
Work, Professional & Investor Visas
We also counsel clients on employment- and investment-based options, including temporary work visas, employment-based green cards, and investor pathways. Because eligibility depends heavily on your specific profession, employer, and goals, the best starting point is a direct conversation. Contact our immigration team to discuss work- and investment-based options, including employment- and investor-based pathways.
Tell us your situation. We reply in minutes, not days.
How the U.S. Immigration Process Works
Every case is different, but most immigration matters follow one of a few broad paths. Understanding the landscape helps you ask better questions and avoid costly mistakes.
Step 1: Identify your eligibility category
U.S. immigration benefits flow from a category — a family relationship, an employer, humanitarian need, the passage of time, or a combination. The first and most important step is correctly identifying which category fits you. Filing in the wrong category, or filing when you are not yet eligible, can cost months or years — and in some situations can put you at risk. This is where an experienced immigration attorney earns their keep.
Step 2: The petition or application
Most family- and employment-based cases begin when a petitioner (a relative or employer) files a petition with USCIS — commonly Form I-130 for family or Form I-140 for employment. Humanitarian cases (asylum, U visa, VAWA, T visa) and naturalization are typically filed directly by the applicant. Accuracy matters: USCIS reviews every form, and inconsistencies can trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a denial.
Step 3: Waiting and the visa bulletin
For many categories there are more applicants than visas available each year, which creates a wait. The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin showing which "priority dates" are current. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents) generally are not subject to these numerical limits, while most other categories are. Because Visa Bulletin movement and backlog estimates change every month, we do not quote a fixed wait time here — check the current monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov (the figures above are current as of June 2026) and ask us for a realistic range for your category and country of birth.
Step 4: Green card — adjustment of status or consular processing
Once a visa is available, there are two main ways to get the green card:
- Adjustment of status (Form I-485) if you are already lawfully present in the United States. You stay in the country while USCIS processes your case. Learn more from our adjustment of status lawyer guide.
- Consular processing if you are abroad. You complete your case through the National Visa Center and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Learn more from our consular processing lawyer guide.
Step 5: Biometrics, interview, and decision
Most applicants attend a biometrics appointment (fingerprints and photo) and, in many cases, an interview. Preparation matters enormously — especially for marriage cases and asylum interviews, where credibility is central. The agency then issues a decision, which may approve the case, request more evidence, or deny it.
Step 6: After approval — and the road to citizenship
A green card is not the finish line for everyone. Lawful permanent residents must keep their status valid, and many eventually choose to naturalize. Generally, permanent residents may apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or three years if married to and living with the same U.S.-citizen spouse), subject to additional continuous-residence and physical-presence requirements; these eligibility periods are set by statute and remain current as of June 2026 (Source: USCIS, uscis.gov/n-400). Our naturalization lawyer guide walks through it in detail.
What an Immigration Lawyer Actually Does for You
People sometimes ask whether they can handle an immigration case on their own. Some simple matters can be done without a lawyer — but many cannot, and the cost of a mistake can be permanent. A good immigration law firm adds value by:
- Choosing the right strategy. Often there is more than one path. The right choice depends on your history, your family, your travel, and any prior immigration or criminal issues.
- Spotting hidden problems early. Unlawful presence, prior removals, certain criminal records, or past misrepresentations can derail a case — or trigger bars that require a waiver. We look for these before you file, not after.
- Preparing strong, consistent evidence. Approvals are won on documentation. We help you assemble a clear, credible record.
- Preparing you for interviews and hearings. We make sure you know what to expect and how to answer truthfully and effectively.
- Responding to RFEs, NOIDs, and denials. When the government pushes back, experienced advocacy can make the difference.
- Representing you in immigration court. If you are in removal proceedings, you have the right to be represented by counsel (at no cost to the government). Going it alone against a government attorney is rarely wise.
Common Immigration Mistakes We Help You Avoid
Many of the cases we are asked to fix could have been prevented. A few of the most common — and most costly — mistakes include:
- Filing in the wrong category or before you are eligible. This wastes time and money and can occasionally create new problems. Eligibility should be confirmed before anything is submitted.
- Inconsistent answers across forms and interviews. USCIS and immigration judges weigh credibility heavily. Small contradictions between a petition, an application, and what you say at an interview can sink an otherwise strong case.
- Ignoring criminal history or prior immigration violations. Even an old arrest, a dismissed charge, or a long-ago removal can carry serious immigration consequences. These must be evaluated by a lawyer, not guessed at.
- Traveling at the wrong time. Leaving the United States while certain applications are pending — or after accruing unlawful presence — can trigger bars that keep you out for years. Always check before you travel.
- Trusting a "notario" or unlicensed preparer. In many Latin American countries a notario público is a trained legal professional. In the United States, a "notary" is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. Relying on a notario, "immigration consultant," or online form service for legal judgment is one of the most damaging mistakes an immigrant can make. Work with a licensed attorney.
- Missing deadlines. The asylum one-year filing deadline, immigration-court hearing dates, and appeal windows are strict. A single missed date can cost you your case.
If you have already made one of these mistakes, do not panic — but do act quickly. Talk to an immigration lawyer about your options as soon as possible.
Tell us your situation. We reply in minutes, not days.
What to Bring to Your Free Consultation
You do not need a perfect file to meet with us. Bring whatever you have, and we will help you build the rest. Useful documents include:
- Any letters or notices you have received from USCIS, the immigration court (EOIR), or the Department of Homeland Security — including a Notice to Appear if you have one.
- Passports, prior visas, your I-94 arrival record, and any current or expired immigration documents.
- A green card, work permit (EAD), or DACA approval, if you have one.
- Marriage, birth, and divorce certificates relevant to a family-based case.
- A summary of any arrests, charges, or prior immigration filings — even if they were dismissed or long ago.
- A short timeline of your entries to and exits from the United States.
Even if you have none of these yet, please still reach out. Part of our job is helping you gather and organize what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Nationwide Immigration Lawyer Today
You do not have to face the immigration system alone, and you do not have to figure it out before you call. Whether you are starting a green-card case, fighting a deportation, seeking asylum, or finally applying for citizenship, the team at De La Rosa Law is ready to listen.
Your case evaluation is free and confidential. Request a free, confidential case review or call our office today, and let us help you understand your options and your next step.
Every case is reviewed by our legal team. No cost, no obligation. Se Habla Español.
