Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Political Asylum:
Political Asylum may be granted to people who are already in the United States and are unwilling or unable to return to their home country because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of future or persecution. This office has won hundred of asylum cases on a variety of issues and from many countries. This office has created unprecedented case law for asylum seekers, especially for those who have suffered from torture.

Sometimes the conditions in the home country get much worse thus allowing for an asylum application some time after initial entry. This is called refugee sur place.

Criminal Deportation/Removal Defense:
Immigrants in the United States who have been convicted of a crime can be subsequently placed in removal proceedings. Since September 30, 1996, with the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, (Pub. L. No. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 “IIRIRA”), the rights of aliens in the United States have been severely curtailed when past criminal conduct is a factor. Crimes that previously did not cause immigration consequences can now trigger deportation proceedings against an alien. This office represents those persons who are detained by ICE as well as persons who appear in normal Immigration Court proceedings. We have won a number of cases involving waivers, relief under Convention Against Torture, Withholding of Removal and cancellation of removal.

Non-Criminal Deportation/Removal Defense:
Removal proceedings are initiated when a violation occurs and the person is served with a Notice to Appear. This starts the process of removal proceedings at which a person may choose to be represented by counsel.

These are formal court hearings and should be taken very seriously as your immigration record may be permanently affected and you can be physically deported from the United States. Only an Immigration Judge can determine if you are removable, or inadmissible and whether you have relief from removal. If the Immigration Judge denies relief, you may appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals which has jurisdiction over decisions made by Immigration Judges. In some cases, you may also petition the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Family Based Visas/ Fiancée Visas:
Fathers, daughters, mothers, sons, fiancés and siblings can enter the United States with either an immigrant visas. There are many options that are available. Parents, spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of U.S. Citizens are considered immediate relatives and are not placed under a quota system. The others are placed into preference order which determines who is given priority entry into the United States:

Non Immigrant Visas
H, L, E, Visas:
Non-immigrant work visas (H, L, O, P, Q) require a CIS-approved petition from a U.S. sponsor. Treaty-trader or treaty-investor visas (E1/E2) can be applied for directly by the individual as long as he or she is from a country with which the United States has a treaty.

The most common work-related visas are H-1B Visas and L1 Visas. The H-1B is a way to bring foreign-born professionals to the United States for a period of up to six years. A sponsor is required and the employment may only start up when the new employee is in the United States. The L1- Visa is for people working for an employer abroad for one year in a related business entity in a manager, executive or specialized knowledge staff capacity, and who will come to the United States to continue providing services for his or her employer. Visas can include:

• B1 Temporary visitor for business
• B2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
• B1/B2 Temporary visitor for business or pleasure
• E1 Treaty trader, spouse and children
• E2 Treaty investor, spouse and children
• H1B (petition-based) Temporary worker in a specialty occupation
• H1C (petition-based) Registered nurses
• H2A (petition-based) Temporary worker performing agricultural services unavailable in the United States
• H2B (petition-based) Temporary worker performing non-agricultural services unavailable in the United States H3 (petition-based) Industrial trainee
• H4 (petition-based) Dependent of H1, H2 or H3
• L1 (petition-based) Intra-company transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with an international firm or corporation
• L2 (petition-based) Dependent of L1
• O1 (petition-based) Aliens with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics
• O2 (petition-based) Aliens accompanying and assisting the above in a professional capacity
• O3 (petition-based) Dependent of O1 or O2
• P1 (petition-based) Athletes and entertainers for a specific competition or performance
• P2 (petition-based) Athletes and entertainers participating in reciprocal exchange program
• P3 (petition-based) Artists and entertainers performing under a program that is culturally unique
• P4 (petition-based) Dependent of P1, P2 or P3
• Q (petition-based) International cultural exchange visitor

Board of Immigration Appeals/Federal Court Litigation:
The Board is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. Decisions of the Board are binding on all DHS officers and Immigration Judges, unless modified or overruled by the Attorney General or a federal court. This office has won precedent decisions at the BIA. We have also prevailed in Motion to Reopen, resulting the grant of asylum or adjustment of status to numerous clients.

Employment Visas/Labor Certification:
A PERM labor certification is filed with the Department of Labor and upon approval an I 140, petition for worker, is filed with USCIS. After the approval of the I 140, the person can adjust status and become a lawful permanent resident. Also, the family members such as spouse and children can benefit.

Naturalization:
Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. Almost everyone who goes through naturalization must first have held a green card for several years. A naturalized U.S. citizen has virtually the same rights as a native-born American citizen.

In addition, MAVNI has recently been passed, giving the opportunity for those persons who have medical skills or some foreign language capabilities to apply directly for citizenship, without first obtaining residency. However, a commitment to the Armed Forces is required for a limited time.

Temporary Protected Status:
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary nonimmigrant status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries (or parts thereof).

During the period for which a country has been designated for TPS, TPS beneficiaries may remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization. However, TPS does not always lead to permanent resident status. When the Secretary terminates a TPS designation, beneficiaries revert to the same immigration status they maintained before TPS (unless that status had since expired or been terminated) or to any other status they may have acquired while registered for TPS. Accordingly, if an alien had unlawful status prior to receiving TPS and did not obtain any status during the TPS designation, the alien reverts to unlawful status upon the termination of that TPS designation.

TN Visas:
Under the NAFTA, Mexican and Canadian professionals are now eligible for Trade NAFTA (TN) status. Under TN status, Mexican and Canadian citizens in certain professions may enter the United States to work for a U.S. company on a temporary basis. Eligible professionals may also work for Mexican and Canadian companies in the United States.

NACARA:
Many people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua can benefit from NACARA and apply for resident status.

Section 13 Adjustment:
Those persons in possession of an A or G visa can apply for adjustment of status along with family members. This office has been successful in obtaining resident status for many such persons.

If you or someone you know needs the legal assistance of an experienced Los Angeles Immigration lawyer, call the Law Offices of Judith Wood and Jesse Moorman today at 866-659-1365, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a consultation.

If you or someone you know needs the legal assistance of an experienced Los Angeles Immigration lawyer, call the Law Offices of Judith Wood and Jesse Moorman today at 866-659-1365, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a consultation.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Law Offices of Judith L. Wood & Jesse A. Moorman
201 South Santa Fe Ave., Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 866-659-1365
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Services provided on Saturdays by appointment

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

Attorney Judith L. Wood

• Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: State of New Mexico, Courts of Appeal for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th circuits, U.S. District Court for New Mexico
• Date Admitted to the Bar: 1982
• Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Pepperdine University School of Law, JD, 1981
• Professional Memberships & Achievements: AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association), FBA, (Federal Bar Association), IBA (International Bar Association), LACBA (Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration Executive Committee Member), and frequent presenter at AILA and LACBA conferences. Attorney Wood has also taught law at People’s College of Law.
• Litigator on many precedent decisions before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals

Attorney Jesse A. Moorman

• Jurisdictions: Attorney is licensed in the State of California, U.S. Courts of Appeal for the 4th, 5th and 9th circuits; U.S. district courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California. Author of briefs in many federal cases opening the door to refugees and other immigrants.
• Date Admitted to the Bar: 1987
• Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Southwestern School of Law, JD, 1987
• Professional Memberships & Achievements: AILA, LACBA, NACDL

Verdicts & Settlements

• Matter of S. P. 21 I&N Dec 486 (Int. Dec. 3287) (BIA 1996)
• Kawashima v. Mukasey, 530 F.3d 1111 (9th Cir 2008)
• Kamalthas v. INS, 251 F.3d 1279 (9th Cir. 2001)
• Yousefi v. INS, 260 F.3d 318 (4th Cir. 2001)
• Duke Khan v. INS, 237 F.3d 1143 (9th Cir. 2001)
• Ratnam v. INS, 154 F.3d 990 (9th Cir. 1998)
• Nasseri v. Moschorak, 34 F.3d 723 (9th Cir. 1994)
• Wang v. Ashcroft, 341 F.3d 1015 (9th Cir. 2003)
• Hughes v.Ashcroft, 255 F.3d 752 (2001)