Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer
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(215) 636-0160
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Philadelphia & Media, PA
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Comprehensive Immigration Services in Philadelphia
Navigating U.S. immigration law can be complex and stressful, but with the right guidance, you can confidently pursue your goals. At the Law Office of Gregory J. Pagano, P.C., our Philadelphia immigration lawyers provide compassionate, strategic legal representation tailored to your unique situation.
Whether you face deportation, seek family reunification, or aim to secure employment or academic visas, we combine extensive legal knowledge with practical solutions to help you achieve your immigration objectives.
We always provide our clients with realistic, honest advice in preparing for removal cases; but we are not afraid to try to solve our clients’ problems with novel or out-of-the-box solutions.
Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer
If you or someone you love is facing an immigration issue in Philadelphia, you already know how much is riding on the outcome. A visa denial, a deportation order, or a missed filing deadline can change the course of a person’s life in an instant. At the Law Office of Gregory J. Pagano, P.C., we take that reality seriously. Our Philadelphia immigration lawyers provide direct, honest, and aggressive legal representation to individuals and families navigating one of the most complex areas of American law.
We have been serving clients in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties since 1995. Our approach is straightforward: we give you a realistic picture of where you stand, and then we go to work finding every available avenue to protect your status, reunite your family, or advance your career in this country.
If you have questions about your immigration situation, call us at (215) 636-0160.
The Law Office of Gregory J. Pagano, P.C. provides a full range of immigration legal assistance to our clients in the areas of:
- Deportation Defense
- Family-based immigration matters
- Employment-based immigration
- Immigration Appeals
- Academic Immigration
- Assistance with naturalization
Deportation Defense
If you or a loved-one have been served with a Notice to Appear and are required to present yourself before in immigration court, we know that this is probably one of the most stressful periods in your life. We understand that you need accessible, authoritative, and aggressive defense in order to maximize your chances to remain in the United States. We always provide our clients with realistic, honest advice in preparing for removal cases; but we are not afraid to try to solve our clients’ problems with novel or out-of-the-box solutions.
We have extensive experience in deportation and removal matters, such as asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status, presenting cases for I-601 waivers for grounds of inadmissibility before immigration judges, and successfully presenting Motions to Reopen in absentia deportation/removal orders to immigration judges around the United States, and pursue other forms of relief available to individuals in deportation or removal proceedings. Likewise, if a loved one is currently detained, we are available to quickly arrange bond hearings for your loved ones, and we have been successful in achieving reasonable bonds for many detained clients enabling them to remain in the care and comfort of their own homes and families during removal proceedings instead of in DHS detention facilities.
If you have been in the United States for less than one year and you are afraid to return to your home country because you fear persecution, it is extremely important that you meet with a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible so that you can timely file for asylum.
Family-Based Immigration
Family-based immigration is one of the most common reasons clients solicit our legal expertise. We have experience with the family-based immigration process and we can help you file for adjustment of status, file to have the conditions of permanent residence removed, and represent individuals who are victims of domestic violence self-petition for immigration benefits in the United States.
In many cases, victims of serious crimes may also have the right to pursue accountability and compensation through crime victim lawsuits, even while their immigration matters are being addressed.
We also have a growing consular practice that assists individuals in the United States petition for immigrant visas for their relatives abroad seeking to immigrate to the United States. This includes the successful filing of I-601 and I-212 waivers at consulates abroad which enable otherwise inadmissible individuals to return to the United States in order to be reunited with their families.
As with our other services, we strive to provide our family-based immigration clients with cost-effective, honest representation. One of the benefits of utilizing our firm’s services to complete the family-based immigration process is knowing that our attorneys will appraise you of the areas in your case that require particular attention and explanation so that when you or your relatives appear before a USCIS or Consular Officer, you will be well-prepared and your interview will proceed as smoothly as possible.
Employment-Based Immigration and Non-Immigrant Visas
We understand that much of the cutting edge research and development in the United States is performed by foreign nationals, that the agricultural industry in the United States is supported by dedicated workers from abroad, and that many of the most caring workers in our healthcare system were not born in the United States.
Our firm is dedicated to assisting corporations of all sizes and individuals of all skill levels navigate the complex territory covered by U.S. immigration laws and regulations governing employment-based immigration. If you are contemplating coming to the United States for temporary employment, we have experience with B-2 visitors’ visas; E-5 visas for Australian nationals; initial H-1B visa filings, transfers, and renewals; L-1A and L-1B visas for international managers and intracompany transferees; O visas for business people of extraordinary ability; R visas for religious workers and professionals; and other types of employment-based non-immigrant visas.
We also have extensive experience assisting professional athletes and artists from around the world obtain the visas required to play and perform in the United States with P and O non-immigrant visas, as well as P-1S and O-2 visas to bring their dedicated staff members to the United States. Our attorneys have been successful in demonstrating to USCIS adjudicators that athletes from exciting and growing, but non-traditional, professional sports such as snowboarding, motocross, supercross, snocross, and minor-league affiliates of major league teams are as deserving of P and O non-immigrant visa classification as athletes from better-established professional sports.
If you are trying to come to the United States as a permanent resident, we are also well positioned to assist you in obtaining all manner of employment-based green cards. These include EB-1 self-petitioning cases for individuals of extraordinary ability; EB-2 cases for tenure-track faculty at colleges and universities; EB-2 special recruitment for non-tenure track college and university faculty members; and PERM cases for workers in other fields. We can also assist individuals seeking green cards based on their work as religious ministers, religious professionals, and investors. Many of our clients seeking employment-based immigrant visas and adjustment of status originally come to the United States as non-immigrants. We welcome the opportunity to work with you in changing your status from non-immigrant to immigrant where possible.
Immigration Appeals, Motions to Reopen, and Motions to Reconsider
Unfortunately, sometimes USCIS officers, immigration judges, the BIA, and the AAU, deny individuals’ requests for relief from removal or applications for other immigration benefits. There are many reasons that cases are denied, but our attorneys are experienced with analyzing the record in a case, assessing it, and advising you concerning your grounds for appealing a denial in your case. We have experience with, and have been successful in, filing appeals with USCIS district offices, USCIS service centers, and the USCIS Administrative Appeals Unit (AAU or AAO); and immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals in matters ranging from denials of asylum applications to naturalization applications.
If your case has been denied, you should contact us immediately in order to schedule a consultation, as many immigration appeals must be filed within 30 days of a decision, and in most cases there is no remedy for a missed deadline.
Academic Immigration
Academic immigration issues are multi-faceted. Perhaps you’re in the United States on an F-1 student visa and looking for a tenure-track job. Maybe you have been in J-1 status and need help filing an 212(e) waiver to overcome the two-year home-stay requirement in order to take a job or post-doc in the United States immediately, or perhaps you unfortunately find yourself in a position where you have inadvertently fallen out of F-1 nonimmigrant status and need to file for reinstatement of your student status. Our attorneys have experience with these types of issues, and are willing to provide the type of precise advice you need at rates that are within students’ reach.
Many foreign graduate students in the United States are also faced with the daunting process of solving the difficult twin-problem of finding an academic job in the United States while making sure that they have an immigration status that enables them to work in the United States as professors, lecturers, and researchers. We understand the unique challenges of obtaining academic employment. We would be happy to provide you with an accurate assessment of your immigration options in the United States to maximize your professional potential. Our areas of experience include assistance with EB-1 self-petitions for academics and researchers of extraordinary ability, EB-2 petitions for outstanding professors and researchers, EB-2 special recruitment cases for non-tenure track university and college teachers, cap-exempt H-1B petitions for non-immigrant tenure-track teaching and research petitions, as well as TN visas for Mexican and Canadian academics.
If you have any questions about your options as an academic or researcher in the United States, we would be pleased to hear from you and glad to become your partners in achieving your immigration and professional objectives in the United States.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the culmination of many years of hard work, and working with our clients to help them become United States citizens is one of the most rewarding parts of our jobs as attorneys. At times, however, naturalization can be a deceptively complicated process. In order to ensure that your case is properly presented to USCIS and that all aspects of your case are thoroughly analyzed prior to filing your case with USCIS, you should consider retaining legal counsel to assist with the naturalization process. If you retain us to assist you with naturalization, we will be with you every step of the way – from filing your N-400 application, to preparing and attending your naturalization interview. If necessary, we can also compel USCIS to schedule you for a naturalization oath ceremony by filing a writ of mandamus if it has been more than 120 days since your naturalization interview and you still have not been scheduled for an oath ceremony.
Our representation in naturalization matters is comprehensive, personalized and, like the full range of our immigration counsel, affordable.
Why Philadelphia Immigration Cases Require Experienced Lawyers
U.S. immigration law is governed by a web of federal statutes, agency regulations, and court decisions that are constantly evolving. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, applicants who attempt to navigate the process without legal representation are denied at significantly higher rates than those who hire an immigration attorney.
Philadelphia has a large and diverse immigrant population, representing communities from every corner of the world. Whether you are an international academic at one of the region’s many universities, a worker sponsored by a Philadelphia employer, or a family member trying to bring a loved one home, the details of your case matter. Small errors in paperwork, missed deadlines, or misunderstood eligibility requirements can result in years of delay or outright denial.
Our attorneys have spent years handling complex immigration matters before USCIS, the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal district courts.
What to Know About U.S. Immigration Law Before You Begin
If you are new to U.S. immigration law, the sheer number of visa categories, forms, and agencies involved can be overwhelming. The Department of Homeland Security manages immigration through USCIS for benefit applications and through ICE and CBP for enforcement. The Department of State processes visa applications at U.S. consulates abroad. The Department of Justice oversees the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Understanding which agency handles your matter, and what rules apply, is a starting point for any immigration case.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a national organization of immigration attorneys that publishes resources for both practitioners and the public. For official information on specific visa categories and form requirements, the USCIS website provides authoritative guidance. For information about your rights in immigration proceedings, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center is another trusted non-competitor resource worth reviewing.
Immigration law is also shaped by executive policy and can change significantly from one administration to the next. Working with an attorney who follows these developments and adjusts strategy accordingly is one of the most important advantages you can have.
Speak With a Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer Today
Immigration cases do not wait. Deadlines pass, statuses expire, and the consequences of delay can be permanent. If you are dealing with a deportation order, a visa issue, a family petition, or any other immigration matter in the Philadelphia area, the attorneys at Pagano Law are ready to help.
We serve clients throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and across the Delaware Valley. Our offices are located in Philadelphia and Media, Pennsylvania, and we are available around the clock for urgent situations.
Call us at (215) 636-0160 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Philadelphia immigration attorney. You will speak directly with a licensed attorney, not a paralegal or intake screener, and we will give you an honest assessment of your case from the very first conversation.
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Questions about Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer
Our attorneys field these questions daily. Here are the most common ones — but every situation is unique. Call us for a direct answer about your case.
Speak with an AttorneyI am facing removal from the U.S. What exactly can an attorney do?
We aggressively combat removal orders using potent tools: launching complex withholding of removal applications, filing devastating motions to forcefully reopen in absentia orders, and securing emergency bond hearings to keep you in your home while we legally annihilate the government’s case.
What happens if my critical immigration application is abruptly denied by USCIS?
Do not surrender. You typically have an unforgiving 30-day window to launch a ruthless appeal to the Administrative Appeals Unit (AAU) or the Board of Immigration Appeals. Missing this strict deadline is a fatal error—we strike back immediately.
As an academic, how do I legally work in the U.S. without falling out of student status?
We expertly secure specialized EB-1 or EB-2 visas specifically for outstanding professors. For J-1 scholars, we fiercely execute 212(e) waivers to chemically dissolve the two-year home-stay requirement, rapidly cementing your incredibly lucrative path to U.S. tenure.
I received a Notice to Appear. What should I do?
Contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible. Do not ignore the notice. Failing to appear in immigration court can result in an in absentia removal order being entered against you, which is extremely difficult to undo. We regularly assist clients in this situation and can step in quickly to represent you in removal proceedings.
My USCIS application was denied. Do I still have options?
Often, yes. Depending on the type of application and the reason for the denial, you may have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Unit, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or federal court. You typically have 30 days to file, so do not wait. Contact us immediately and we will review the denial and advise you on the best course of action.
Can I apply for a green card while living in the United States?
In many cases, yes. This is called Adjustment of Status and allows eligible individuals already in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent residence without traveling abroad for a consular interview. Eligibility depends on how you entered the country, your current immigration status, and other factors. We can assess your situation and advise you on whether Adjustment of Status is an available pathway.
How long does the naturalization process take?
USCIS processing times for naturalization applications vary by field office and current application volume. In recent years, processing has ranged from roughly 8 to 24 months depending on the office and individual circumstances. We help clients file complete, well-prepared applications to avoid delays caused by requests for additional evidence, and we monitor the progress of every case we handle.
What if my family member is detained by ICE?
If a family member has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, contact us immediately. We can file for a bond hearing to seek release from custody so your family member can be home during the pendency of their case. We have secured reasonable bonds for many detained clients and know how to move efficiently in these urgent circumstances.