Henderson Franklin’s Immigration Law attorneys provide aggressive, knowledgeable, and practical representation worldwide before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the United States Department of Labor (DOL), and the United States Department of State (DOS); to ensure that foreign nationals can reunite with their families, pursue their dreams, and contribute their talents to the United States. We also work to assist United States businesses in meeting their management, workforce and capital needs via foreign talent and investment.
Appeals
We represent individuals in appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) and the United States Federal Courts of Appeals. Attorney Suarez has handled numerous appeals before the BIA and AAO, and is a member of the bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and United States Supreme Court.
Citizenship/Naturalization
United States citizenship is the most secured status for persons planning to establish their future in the United States. We represent individuals seeking citizenship or naturalization benefits before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and/or a passport from the United States Department of State (DOS).
Family-based Immigration (Green Cards)
We assist United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who wish to share the “American Dream” with their close family members. See more information on the family-based immigrant visa classifications.
We assist United States citizens wishing to adopt a child or orphan from abroad in navigating through the multi-agency international adoption process in a secure but timely manner.
Employer Immigration Compliance (I-9)
All U.S. employers are responsible for verifying the identity and work authorization of all individuals hired after November 6, 1986, whether U.S. citizens or not, while at the same time not discriminating against any person on the basis of national origin. All U.S. employers must complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. On the form, the employer must verify the employment eligibility and identity documents presented by the employee and record the document information on the Form I-9.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for worksite enforcement aimed at promoting national security, protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring fair labor standards. ICE targets unscrupulous employers of illegal aliens who may be subject to criminal prosecutions and asset forfeitures. On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (“OSC”), investigates charges of job discrimination related to an individual’s immigration status or national origin. It also investigates charges of document abuse discrimination (i.e. when employers request more or different documents than are required to verify employment eligibility and identity, reject reasonably genuine-looking documents or specify certain documents over others).
We assist employers in complying with the conflicting federal and state employment eligibility verification requirements through audits and training programs geared towards ensuring that their hiring practices and human resource processes meet applicable laws and regulations. Whether in reviewing I-9 compliance or in providing advice concerning a particular worker, we work arduously to protect our clients from inadvertent civil or criminal worksite infractions.
Employment-Based Immigration (Green Cards)
The requirements and delays associated with the United States immigration system are often incompatible with the fast pace demands of a global economy and marketplace. We assist foreign nationals who wish to permanently work in the United States, and the employers who require their services, with comprehensive strategies to achieve their objectives in a timely, cost-effective and efficient manner. See more information on the employment-based immigrant visa classifications.
Federal Litigation
When necessary, our firm is prepared to handle suits for Mandamus and Habeas Corpus before United States District Courts.
Foreign Labor Certification/PERM
We assist United States employers in complying with the procedural requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act aimed at ensuring that the hiring of foreign nationals does not have an adverse effect on the working conditions or employment opportunities of United States workers. In employment-based immigration, “Labor Certification” by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) is a prerequisite to the filing of a visa petition in either the Second or Third employment preference categories. Before issuing the certification, the DOL must find that that there are no qualified U.S. workers that are available in the area where the job is being offered, and that the employment of the foreign national will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers. An employer seeking labor certification will be required to test the labor market and conduct recruitment through a state employment service. Generally, unless he/she is abroad, the foreign national must maintain valid nonimmigrant status during this process. See more information about Labor Certification.
Nonimmigrant Visas
We assist foreign nationals who seek nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel to the United States for leisure, study, employment, investment, business, or other purposes. See more information on the most common nonimmigrant visa categories.
Removal/Deportation
We defend individuals facing Removal (Deportation) proceedings before the Immigration Courts of the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR). Be it at an Immigration Court hearing; at a “deferred inspection” appointment before United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP); or in seeking their release from detention by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we work hard to protect our clients’ liberty and due process rights.