Immigration Law

Other Immigration Services

At Maris Immigration Law, we provide support for a range of immigration needs beyond green cards and visas. Whether you’re seeking permission to work in the United States, relief through deferred action, or need a waiver of inadmissibility or advice about the immigration consequences of an arrest or conviction, our attorneys can guide you through these complex processes with experience and care.

Work Permits (Employment Authorization)

Many immigrants need work permits – officially called Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) – in order to work legally in the United States. Work permits are available to individuals who have:

• Pending immigration applications, such as asylum or green card petitions
• Certain approved or ongoing statuses, including deferred action, T visas, U visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or asylum status

Work permits allow you to legally work and may also help with obtaining a Social Security number or driver’s license.

Not everyone needs a separate work permit. For example, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and people in certain employment-based visa categories (like H or R visas) are already authorized to work without an EAD. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for employment authorization, we can help you evaluate your situation and file the correct application.

Deferred Action (Including DACA)

Deferred action provides temporary protection from removal (deportation) and eligibility for a work permit. One well-known form of deferred action is DACA — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

DACA is a program for individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet specific eligibility criteria. It allows qualified recipients to receive renewable two-year deferred action from deportation and obtain an employment authorization document so they can work legally in the U.S.

Important points about deferred action and DACA:

• Temporary relief: Deferred action (including DACA) does not provide lawful immigration status or a direct path to permanent residence or citizenship; it offers a temporary reprieve from removal while the deferred action is in effect.
• Work authorization: Those granted deferred action under DACA or similar policies may receive a work permit for the period of approved deferred action.
• Eligibility requirements: DACA eligibility is based on criteria such as age when first arriving in the U.S., continuous residence, education, and clean criminal history. Currently, USCIS is accepting renewals of DACA for those who have previously had DACA, while initial applications may be restricted due to court orders.

Our attorneys can assess whether deferred action (including DACA renewals) is appropriate for your case and assist with preparing and filing the necessary applications.

Immigrant Visa/Green Card Waivers

Some individuals may be inadmissible to the United States (also known as being ineligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status) due to past immigration violations, unlawful presence, criminal history, fraud or misrepresentation, prior removal orders, or other grounds.

In these cases, a waiver of inadmissibility may be necessary to obtain a green card or be issued an immigrant visa to enter the United States. The waiver eligibility requirements can vary depending on what ground of inadmissibility needs to be waived; however, these waivers often require showing that a qualifying relative (such as a U.S. citizen spouse or parent) would suffer extreme hardship if the waiver is denied.

Unlawful Presence Waivers

If you have been in the U.S. without authorization for an extended period and must return home to apply for an immigrant visa, you may trigger a three-year or ten-year bar on returning. A waiver of unlawful presence can allow you to overcome this bar and seek a green card.

In some family-based cases, applicants may be eligible to apply for a waiver before leaving the U.S. for their visa interview (known as provisional waiver processing), which can reduce family separation and shorten processing times.

Immigrant waiver applications are complex and require thorough documentation and strategy. We can guide you through every step and help you present the strongest possible case.

Immigration Consequences of a Crime

Criminal charges and convictions can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a non-citizen’s immigration status – even for offenses that may seem minor. The intersection of criminal law and immigration law is complex, and a conviction can affect your ability to remain in the United States, obtain immigration benefits, or even re-enter after travel abroad. Maris Immigration Law conducts research and provides immigration advisals regarding the impact of criminal convictions on a noncitizen’s immigration options.

Arrests, charges, or convictions can have serious consequences, such as:

• Inadmissibility – Certain crimes can make a person inadmissible, meaning they may be denied visas, green cards, or entry into the U.S. after travel abroad.
• Removability (Deportation) – Even lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can be placed in removal proceedings if convicted of qualifying offenses. Some convictions can lead to mandatory removal.
• Barriers to Benefits – A criminal record can make you ineligible for immigration benefits such as deferred action (including DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), naturalization, asylum, or adjustment of status. Even where a conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify you, it may negatively influence decisions made in immigration discretion.

Because criminal history has such serious implications for immigration status, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen and has been arrested, charged, or convicted should consult with an experienced immigration attorney before making decisions in a criminal case or submitting immigration applications.

At Maris Immigration Law, our attorneys work closely with clients and criminal defense counsel to analyze the immigration consequences of charges or convictions, and help develop strategies to protect your status and future immigration goals.

How We Can Help

Whether you need help applying for an employment authorization document, exploring deferred action options like DACA, or seeking a waiver to overcome inadmissibility, Maris Immigration Law offers knowledgeable and personalized legal support. We stay current with evolving policies and tailor our approach to your unique needs.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your immigration goals.