Los Angeles Humanitarian Immigration Lawyer Here For You
Every year, millions of individuals are forcibly displaced from their homes due to persecution, violence, conflict, and human rights violations. These individuals, who come from countries all around the world, have no choice but to flee their homes in search of safety and protection. For many, the United States is a beacon of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. While humanitarian-based immigration options are available, obtaining legal immigration status in the United States can be an overwhelming and difficult process. Cheryl Deptowicz-Diaz of Diaz Law Firm is an experienced Los Angeles humanitarian immigration lawyer who passionately advocates for the rights of these individuals. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and protected from harm. Motivated by this belief, we work closely with victims of violence, refugees, and asylum seekers to pursue legal immigration status in the United States. To speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate immigration attorney about your case, consider contacting the Los Angeles office at (626) 261-0402 today.
What Is Humanitarian Immigration?
Humanitarianism, broadly, is the belief in the value of human life. Under this belief system, individuals treat one another benevolently and provide assistance when necessary. Humanitarianism is often a response to the crisis, addressing the needs of people who are affected by a natural disaster, conflict, or otherwise devastating illness or injury.
The principles of humanitarianism are central to humanitarian immigration. This form of immigration is designed to help and protect people who have been impacted by disaster, oppressed at the hands of a foreign government, displaced due to civil war, or faced other urgent circumstances in their home countries. In recognizing the need to provide aid and shelter to these individuals, the United States immigration law has established specific visa options for victims of humanitarian crises.
There are a few different options for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States due to humanitarian reasons, including:
- Humanitarian parole permits an individual who is otherwise ineligible for admission into the United States to enter the country temporarily due to a compelling emergency.
- Temporary protected status (TPS) provides protection to individuals from specific countries wherein the conditions do not allow the country’s nationals to return safely home. While an individual is protected by TPS, they are not removable from the United States and cannot be detained based on immigration status.
- The United States Refugee Admissions Program was designed to protect individuals who are located outside of the United States, have been persecuted due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group, and who are not otherwise admissible to the United States.
- Seeking asylum in the United States is available to people who meet the conditions of refugee status but are already located within the United States.
What Are Humanitarian Reasons for Immigration?
There are several humanitarian reasons that may motivate a person to seek immigration to the United States. According to United States immigration law, a person may be admitted into the United States due to the following humanitarian reasons:
- Facing persecution or fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a certain social group
- Human trafficking, hate crimes, involuntary servitude, or other serious criminal offenses
- Experiencing domestic violence or abuse
- The home country is unable to adequately handle the return of its nationals or, alternatively, the conditions of the country prevent the person from returning safely
Each application for humanitarian-based immigration is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the applicant must be able to prove that there is an urgent need for assistance. In some cases, humanitarian aid can be offered on a temporary basis, while in other situations, individuals may be able to pursue permanent residence in the United States. Given the complexity of this area of the law, many people seek guidance from Los Angeles humanitarian immigration lawyers before starting the process.
How Can Diaz Law Firm Help?
At Diaz Law Firm, we passionately believe that every person deserves respect, safety, and protection from persecution and violence. This motivates DLF’s humanitarian immigration legal services, a practice area that is prioritized highly at the firm. We have worked closely with individuals to pursue the following:
- U Visas. U nonimmigrant status is designed for victims of criminal activity who have suffered physical and/or mental abuse and are able and willing to help law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime(s). If you were the victim of domestic violence, trafficking, sexual exploitation or assault, or other serious crimes, you may be eligible to apply for U nonimmigrant status.
- VAWA Self-Petition. Under the federal Violence Against Women Act, individuals who experienced battery or extreme cruelty at the hands of their United States citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner may be eligible to receive a Green Card independent of their family member. Through this option, it is possible to file a petition without your abusive family member’s knowledge or consent. An experienced Los Angeles immigration lawyer at Diaz Law Firm can provide further insight regarding how to adjust your immigration status through the VAWA self-petition.
- Asylum. If you have fled your home country due to persecution or fear of persecution and are already located in the United States, you may be eligible to seek asylum. This is a long and difficult process but, if successful, you may be able to live and work in the country on a permanent basis.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA is relief provided to immigrants who came to the United States when they were children. Through DACA, eligible individuals are granted protection from deportation and the ability to work in the United States.
Hiring a Los Angeles Humanitarian Immigration Lawyer Near You
If you are the victim of a humanitarian emergency and are not sure where to turn for assistance, please know that you are not alone. At Diaz Law Firm, we work tirelessly to uphold the rights of individuals facing humanitarian crises and advocate for your ability to remain in the United States. Through DLF’s services, the firm has helped victims of heinous crimes, refugees, and asylum seekers obtain legal immigration status in the United States. To learn more about how DLF can help, consider speaking with an experienced Los Angeles humanitarian immigration lawyer today at (626) 261-0402.