The legal services at Kiang Immigration Law include assisting individuals and families seeking protection through asylum, under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), as victims of certain crimes (U visas), and through obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SJIS). Our attorneys apply over 30 years of immigration law experience to help individuals and families navigate the immigration requirements and process in all these areas. Based in Alhambra, California, we serve clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles area and Southern California, across the United States, and around the world.

Our Time-Tested Success and Focus on Client Support

Over more than three decades dedicated exclusively to practicing immigration law, Kiang Immigration Law has established a reputation as a preeminent immigration law firm in the community. Our success comes through our high levels of knowledge and skill and our commitment to providing an exceptional level of client service. We provide comprehensive immigration services, including the full range of immigration cases for which individuals and families require assistance.

Our attorneys, William Kiang and John Kiang, focus exclusively on immigration law, which enables us to devote our full attention to each client’s immigration needs. Our extensive knowledge of immigration law includes thorough familiarity with the complex rules and detailed processes that apply to obtaining immigration protection. We always stay up to date on changes and nuances that affect the process. In addition, our dedication to providing the highest level of client service means that we always answer questions, address concerns, and maintain ongoing communication with every client throughout the entire course of a matter.

Asylum

U.S. immigration laws include special protections and privileges of asylum for persons who have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution in their home country due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The laws provide three ways to apply for asylum:

• Individuals already in the U.S. may use the affirmative asylum process through the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).
• An individual in expedited removal proceedings may indicate an intention to apply for asylum. USCIS will then conduct a credible fear screening.
• A person in removal proceedings in immigration court may request asylum as a removal defense.

No matter the circumstances of a request for asylum, the individual must complete a complicated process and provide substantial documentation relating to past persecution or fear of future persecution. Getting assistance from an experienced immigration law attorney is crucial. Kiang Immigration Law has decades of success assisting clients who seek asylum in qualifying circumstances.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) enables victims of domestic violence — both men and women — to self-petition for immigration status as a means of seeking safety and independence from the abuser. You may be eligible to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) under VAWA if you are the victim of battery or extreme cruelty committed by a U.S. citizen spouse or former spouse, a U.S. citizen parent, a U.S. citizen son or daughter, an LPR spouse or former spouse, or an LPR parent. Some applications may include derivative beneficiaries.

To obtain immigration benefits under VAWA, the applicant must demonstrate specific requirements. Assistance from a knowledgeable immigration lawyer is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to self-petition under VAWA. At Kiang Immigration Law, our attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients with obtaining immigration status through the Violence Against Women Act.

Victims of Certain Crimes / U Visas

The U nonimmigrant status or U visa is for victims of specified crimes who suffered mental or physical abuse and provide help to law enforcement and government officials during the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. To be eligible, an individual must demonstrate that they:

• Are a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. laws,
• Suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as the result,
• Has information about the criminal activity,
• Was, are, or likely are to be helpful to law enforcement during investigation or prosecution of the crime,
• Are admissible to the United States or eligible for a waiver, and
• The crime occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.

The list of qualifying crimes is extensive and includes most serious crimes, such as domestic violence, felonious assault, kidnapping, murder, rape, sexual assault, trafficking, witness tampering, and many other related and similar crimes. Certain family members may be eligible for a derivative U visa based on their relationship to the principal applicant. Individuals who may qualify should seek assistance from an experienced immigration attorney due to the complex requirements and application process.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

A juvenile under 21 years of age may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) if the individual needs protection of a juvenile court due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect by a parent. If SIJS status is granted, the juvenile may qualify for lawful permanent residency and get a green card.

An applicant for SIJS status must be under the age of 21 years when the SIJS form is filed and be unmarried and living in the U.S. at filing and at the time of the decision. In addition, the individual must:

• Have a valid juvenile court order issued by a state court in the U.S. that includes specific findings relating to abuse, abandonment, or neglect;
• Be currently living in the United States; and
• Be eligible for USCIS consent (requires that the juvenile court order was not sought primarily to obtain an immigration benefit).

Our many years of experience at Kiang Immigration Law include providing assistance to juveniles who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).