Immigration Lawyers

Experienced Immigration Attorneys in Riverside, CA

Serving Clients in Riverside

Immigration problems can create a level of fear and uncertainty that affects every part of your life. Maybe you’re unsure how to fix an issue with USCIS, you’re anxious about keeping your status, or you’re trying to help a family member who is stuck in a difficult situation. For many people in Riverside, these concerns feel overwhelming because immigration is not just a legal matter,  it’s about family, security, and the future you’re working hard to build.

At Fontes Law Group, we recognize how stressful this process can be, especially for those trying to reunite loved ones or secure an important immigration benefit. Our attorneys understand the pressure you’re under, and we are committed to standing with you through each stage of your case. We guide you with patience, compassion, and clarity, making sure you know what to expect while we prepare your application or defense with the skill your situation deserves.

From our Riverside and Santa Ana offices, we help individuals and families across Southern California navigate visas, green cards, deportation defense, waivers, and more. We are a fully bilingual team, and we believe strong communication is essential, so we keep you updated, explain every step, and answer your questions with honesty and care. Whatever challenge you’re facing in the immigration system, Fontes Law Group is here to help you move forward with confidence.

Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group

Experience. Compassion. Results.

At Fontes Law Group, our immigration team provides clear, compassionate guidance to individuals and families across Southern California. With more than 20 years of combined experience, we take the time to understand your situation and create a legal strategy that aligns with your goals.

• Proven success with visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense

• Fully bilingual team in English and Spanish

• Offices in Santa Ana and Riverside

• Free initial consultation

• Trusted by immigrant families throughout Southern California

Key Legal Areas in U.S. Immigration

Immigration law is challenging to navigate because it draws from federal laws, government regulations, and constantly shifting policies. Every form you file and every step you take must follow specific legal standards, and even small mistakes can create delays or put your case at risk. Below is an overview of the key legal areas that shape most immigration cases and how they may influence your path forward.

What Immigration Law Covers

In the United States, immigration law sets the framework for how foreign nationals can enter, live, work, and eventually pursue citizenship. It also outlines what happens when someone overstays a visa, loses lawful status, or enters the country without authorization, including the procedures for detention and removal. These rules impact families, workers, students, employers, and anyone seeking safety or opportunity in the U.S.

If you are hoping to come to the United States for work or long-term residence, trying to reunite your family, facing deportation, seeking protection from harm in your home country, or navigating the hiring of foreign workers, our attorneys guide people through every stage of the process, including:

• Foreign nationals seeking to live or work in the United States
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents trying to reunite their families
• Employers who need to hire skilled workers from abroad
• People fleeing danger or persecution
• Individuals facing immigration detention or removal proceedings

Family-Based Immigration

Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring certain relatives to the United States. These visas fall into two groups: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and the family preference system.

Immediate relatives include:

• Spouses of U.S. citizens

• Unmarried children under 21

• Parents of U.S. citizens age 21 or older

There is no annual limit for these visas, but sponsors must meet financial requirements and applicants must qualify under immigration law.

Family preference visas apply to:

• Adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens

• Spouses of lawful permanent residents

• Unmarried children of lawful permanent residents

These visas are capped each year, with at least 226,000 available nationwide. The total number is determined by a formula set by Congress.

To start the process, the sponsoring relative files a petition and agrees to provide financial support. The family member seeking entry must meet all eligibility criteria before a visa can be approved.

Employment-Based Visas

Many employers in the United States depend on skilled foreign workers when they cannot find enough qualified U.S. applicants. Immigration law provides several pathways for these workers through temporary and permanent employment-based visas.

Temporary non-immigrant work visas include:

• H-1B for specialty occupations

• H-2A for agricultural workers

• H-2B for seasonal non-agricultural workers

• L-1 for intracompany transfers

• O for individuals with extraordinary ability

• P for athletes and entertainers

• Q-1 for cultural exchange programs

These visas allow foreign nationals to work in the U.S. for a limited period, and some, like the H-1B, can be renewed and may lead to permanent residency through employer sponsorship.

Permanent employment-based visas are capped at 140,000 per year and are divided into five preference categories:

Employment-based green card categories:

• EB-1: Extraordinary ability workers, researchers, professors, multinational executives

• EB-2: Advanced degree professionals and individuals with exceptional ability

• EB-3: Skilled workers and certain professionals

• EB-4: Special immigrants

• EB-5: Investors who create U.S. jobs

Some categories allow applicants to self-petition, while others require employers to follow Department of Labor rules before sponsoring a worker.

If you are an employer seeking to sponsor a worker, or an individual with strong qualifications hoping to begin the process, the immigration attorneys at Fontes Law Group in Riverside can help you understand your options and prepare a strong case.

Asylum and Refugee Protection

Refugees are individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries because they face persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a social group. They apply for refugee status from outside the United States, and their cases are reviewed based on factors like family ties, level of risk, and whether they belong to a group of special concern. Each year, the president sets a limit on how many refugees may be admitted, though the actual number is often lower.

People already in the U.S. who fear the same types of harm may apply for asylum at the border or within one year of arrival, and there is no annual cap on asylum applications. Refugees and asylees may both apply for lawful permanent resident status one year after they receive protection.

Humanitarian Relief Options

The U.S. immigration system provides several types of humanitarian relief for individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is offered to people already in the United States whose home countries are experiencing war, natural disasters, or other dangerous conditions. TPS is granted for limited periods, often six to 18 months, and may be extended if conditions remain unsafe. Recipients can stay in the U.S. and obtain work authorization.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) also protects individuals from deportation when their countries are unstable, and it is granted at the discretion of the U.S. government.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allows certain individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children to stay and work temporarily if they meet specific residency and age requirements. Although previous attempts were made to end the program, court rulings have kept it in place. The government continues to accept applications, but new approvals are paused while litigation continues.

These forms of relief provide temporary protection and stability for people seeking safety in the United States.

Naturalization and Citizenship

Removal Defense

The government has the authority to detain undocumented immigrants and those who have violated the terms of their visas and hold them for removal proceedings. If you are removed from the U.S., you may be subject to a bar of admissibility for up to 10 years or longer. It is crucial to seek assistance from an experienced immigration lawyer if you are facing removal proceedings, as they may be able to help you seek a waiver of inadmissibility or explore other potential options.

Clear, Fair Fees With Payment Plans Available

Fontes Law Group provides immigration services with flat-fee pricing for most family-based cases and flexible payment plans. Our goal is to make high-quality legal help accessible to the communities we serve.

We assist clients throughout the United States and internationally, offering experienced support at every step.

Immigration Status and Eligibility

Every immigration benefit depends on meeting specific legal requirements. Your current status determines what you can apply for. Common categories include:

• U.S. citizen

• Lawful permanent resident

• Visa holder

• Asylum seeker

• Undocumented individual

Your status affects whether you can sponsor family, work legally, adjust status in the U.S., or must complete your case abroad. Issues like overstays or certain criminal problems can also change your eligibility. We review your history and explain how these rules apply to you.

Grounds of Inadmissibility

Federal law lists several reasons a person may be found ineligible for a visa. These include:

• Criminal convictions

• Immigration violations

• Fraud or misrepresentation

• Certain medical issues

• Limited public charge concerns

• Prior deportation orders

Many people qualify for waivers that explain family hardship and ask the government to forgive the issue. A strong waiver can make a major difference in your case.

Learn more at the Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov.

Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing

People apply for permanent residence in one of two ways:

Adjustment of Status: For individuals inside the U.S. who qualify to apply without leaving.
Consular Processing: For individuals who must finish their case at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Your eligibility depends on how you entered the U.S., your immigration history, and your family relationship. Choosing the right path prevents delays and unnecessary separation from your family.

The Public Charge Rule

Public charge rules evaluate whether someone seeking a green card is likely to rely on government support. Today, the focus is mostly on whether a sponsor can financially support the applicant.
Sponsors must file an affidavit of support, which is a binding commitment to the government.

Many families worry about public charge unnecessarily. We explain which benefits are safe to use and how to submit a strong financial packet.

More information is available at: https://www.uscis.gov.

Immigration Court and Your Rights

Immigration court is a real courtroom, and individuals in removal proceedings have rights, including:

• A hearing

• An interpreter

• The ability to present evidence

• The right to hire a lawyer

• The ability to appeal some decisions

Fontes Law Group supports you through bond hearings, master calendar hearings, individual hearings, and appeals, making sure you understand each step.

Court resources can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/eoir.

Criminal Immigration Consequences

Criminal charges can greatly affect immigration cases. Even minor offenses may trigger removal or make someone ineligible for a green card. We review your criminal history carefully because even small details can determine whether you qualify for relief.

Waivers and Humanitarian Exceptions

Some people face legal barriers but still qualify for relief. Common waivers include:

• Unlawful presence waivers

• Misrepresentation waivers

• Criminal waivers

• Waivers for spouses of U.S. citizens

• Extreme hardship waivers

• Humanitarian reinstatement

These cases require strong evidence and careful preparation. We work closely with families to build a clear, compelling argument.

Work Authorization

Some immigration cases allow applicants to request a work permit. You may qualify for an Employment Authorization Document if you:

• Have a pending adjustment of status

• Have a pending asylum case

• Hold a visa that allows work

• Have DACA

• Have TPS

• Are in certain humanitarian programs

Working without authorization can harm your case, so we help you understand when it is safe to apply.

Appeals and Motions

If your application or case is denied, you may still have options, including:

• Appeals

• Motions to reopen

• Motions to reconsider

These filings must be supported with strong legal arguments. Many clients come to us after a denial for a second, more strategic review of their case.

Helpful Resources

FAQs About Immigration Law