"How long will my immigration case
take?" That's one of the first questions most people looking to
start the immigration process ask. Luckily, this Temecula California
based immigration lawyer has the answers. Of course there are many
varying factors. You
might find the timeframe is a lot less than you think.
Temecula, CA Immigration Attorney, John
Mansfield, explains:
I get this question all the timeÉ"How
Long Will My immigration Case Take"? The answer to that depends
a lot on whether or not your case is "in court" or "out
of court".
If it is out of court, it is specifically
called the "administrative processing", and that type of
case is going to take anywhere from 3-6 months in Southern
California. Typically, again this depends on the jurisdiction that
you live in.
There are certain Los Angeles cases that may take
longer than that but, that's usually due to the amount of people in
the Metropolitan Los Angeles area. In San Diego, for example, the
timeline is typically shorter. in Riverside County, such as Temecula,
Murrieta, San Bernardino, etc., it will take about 3-6 months.
If
your case is in court, you are looking at anywhere from 1-3 years,
depending on the jurisdiction.
I practice in the Southern
California area, so my experience and timelines are based here. You
would have to consult the court in your particular area for a more
specific timeline where you are.
Generally, i believe it is
safe to say in smaller cities it an immigration case can last 1 year
to 1 1/2 years. In larger cities, such as Los Angeles, you're looking
at probably 1-3 years for your court case to be resolved.
Certain
things that can complicate or delay your immigration case:
*
Undisclosed criminal records - even if it's just an arrest - and you
were not convicted, it doesn't matter. If you fail to disclose an
arrest, then that is going to delay your case.
* If you fail
to disclose a prior deportation, or even a volunteer to departure
that you sign with the border patrol.
* If you have failed to
produce the supporting documents that the court or the agency asks of
you. If you are requested to submit the documents x, y, and z, and
you wait too long, or can't find them, or for some other reason fail
to submit them in a timely fashion.
Immigration law can be very complex, frustrating and confusing. Be sure you know your rights and have all the critical information you'll need. You can find it at http://www.immattorneymlg.com, including how to start your immigration case, when to start it, and how much you should expect to pay. For more free immigration law information, including a free phone consultation with an experienced, immigration attorney,http://www.immattorneymlg.com.
