Immigration practice areas
Carlos Maury decided cases as a U.S. Immigration Judge. These are the matters we prepare for clients nationwide, in English and Spanish. Each has its own page, with how we work, the law that applies and common questions.
Immigration law is federal: the same legal framework applies in all 50 states, before USCIS, the consulates and the 77 immigration courts. Many cases touch more than one area, such as a deportation defense that depends on a family petition or a waiver, so we review the whole history before recommending a path. Below, each area with what we do and who it is for.
Deportation defense lawyer
If you have a Notice to Appear or a removal order, we defend you in immigration court and on appeal, through cancellation of removal, adjustment of status and waivers.
Removal proceedings start when the government files a Notice to Appear with the immigration court. We review the charges, the evidence the government relies on and every form of relief the law may allow, such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, asylum or a waiver, and we prepare the filings, witnesses and documents the judge will weigh.
Who it's for: People with a Notice to Appear, an upcoming hearing, or an old removal order they want reviewed.
Explore deportation defenseAsylum lawyer
If you fear returning to your country, we prepare your asylum, withholding of removal or Convention Against Torture case before USCIS or the immigration court.
Asylum protects people who fear persecution in their country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. We help build the declaration, gather country evidence and corroboration, and look at withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protection, which have different standards and no one-year filing deadline.
Who it's for: People who fear returning to their country, whether filing with USCIS or defending a case in immigration court.
Explore asylum helpCriminal immigration lawyer
An arrest, a plea or a conviction can affect your immigration status; we review the record and the defenses that may remain in immigration court.
Some arrests, pleas and convictions carry immigration consequences that are easy to miss: deportability, inadmissibility, mandatory detention or a bar to relief. We read the record of conviction against the immigration statute, work with criminal defense counsel where a case is still open, and identify the defenses that may remain in immigration court.
Who it's for: Noncitizens facing a criminal charge, considering a plea, or living with an old conviction.
Explore criminal immigrationGreen card lawyer
For a green card through a parent, adult child or sibling, we handle the petition, adjustment of status or consular processing, any waiver your history requires, and green cards in immigration court.
A green card through family can come by adjustment of status inside the United States or by consular processing abroad, and it can also be sought as a defense in immigration court. We check eligibility and the visa category, prepare the petition and supporting evidence, and plan for any waiver your immigration history may require.
Who it's for: Relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, including people already in removal proceedings.
Explore green cardsImmigration bond lawyer
If someone you love is held by ICE, we look at whether they may ask an Immigration Judge for release on bond, and we prepare that request for the bond hearing.
When ICE detains someone, a bond hearing before an immigration judge may be the fastest route home, but not everyone is eligible, and the law on who qualifies is being litigated. We review eligibility, gather proof of community ties and that the person is not a danger or a flight risk, and ask the judge for a bond the family can pay.
Who it's for: Families of someone held in ICE detention, anywhere in the country.
Explore bond hearingsU visa & VAWA lawyer
If you were the victim of a crime in the United States, or of abuse by a citizen or resident family member, we look at whether a U visa or a VAWA petition may fit your case.
The U visa is for victims of certain crimes in the United States who helped, or are willing to help, law enforcement; VAWA lets abused spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens or permanent residents petition on their own. We review whether either may fit, request the law-enforcement certification where needed and prepare the petition.
Who it's for: Survivors of qualifying crimes, and of abuse by a U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident family member.
Explore U visa & VAWAImmigration waiver lawyer
If a past entry, time without status or an old record stands in the way, we review your history and prepare the waiver that may open the path.
Unlawful presence, a prior removal, a misrepresentation or certain criminal history can make a person inadmissible. Some of these grounds can be waived, usually by showing extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident relative. We identify which ground applies, which waiver form fits (such as the I-601A or I-601) and build the hardship evidence.
Who it's for: People whose past entries, time without status or old record stand between them and a green card.
Explore waiversImmigration appeals lawyer
If a judge has ruled against you, we review the record and prepare the appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or a motion to reopen.
An immigration judge's decision can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals, generally within 30 days, and some Board decisions can be taken to a federal court of appeals. A motion to reopen or reconsider can ask the court to look at a case again, for example after a missed hearing. Deadlines are short, so we start with the record and the dates.
Who it's for: Anyone who lost in immigration court, received an order in absentia, or has new evidence.
Explore appealsCitizenship lawyer
When you are ready to naturalize, we review your history first, then prepare the N-400 with you and get you ready for the interview and civics test.
Naturalization requires a period of permanent residence, continuous residence and physical presence, good moral character and the English and civics tests. Before filing Form N-400 we review travel, taxes, any arrest and how the green card was obtained, because the application can bring old problems to light.
Who it's for: Permanent residents ready to apply for citizenship, especially those with travel, tax or arrest history.
Explore citizenshipMarriage green card lawyer
If you are married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, we prepare the petition and the proof of a real marriage, and see you through the interview and the two-year conditions.
A green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident starts with Form I-130 and the proof that the marriage is real. We prepare the petition and evidence, get ready for the interview, and, for a two-year conditional green card, prepare the I-751 petition to remove conditions.
Who it's for: Spouses of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, in the U.S. or abroad, including couples with a past immigration problem.
Explore marriage green cardsK-1 fiancé visa lawyer
If you are engaged to a U.S. citizen and live abroad, we prepare the fiancé(e) petition and the visa case, then the green card after the wedding.
The K-1 visa lets the fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen enter the United States to marry within 90 days, then apply for a green card. We prepare Form I-129F and the proof of the relationship and of an in-person meeting, get ready for the consular interview, and plan the adjustment-of-status filing after the wedding.
Who it's for: U.S. citizens engaged to someone abroad, and their fiancé(e)s.
Explore K-1 fiancé visasTPS lawyer
If your TPS was denied or withdrawn, or your country's TPS is ending, we defend you in immigration court and look at every other form of relief that may remain.
When USCIS denies or withdraws Temporary Protected Status and issues a Notice to Appear, the immigration judge can decide TPS eligibility anew. When a country's designation ends, the removal case goes on. We review the USCIS file and any criminal record against the TPS bars, renew the application before the judge, and look early at asylum, cancellation of removal or adjustment of status.
Who it's for: TPS holders and applicants whose TPS was denied, withdrawn or is ending, and who face or may face removal proceedings.
Explore TPS in court
Frequently asked questions
What does an immigration lawyer do?
An immigration lawyer advises on the options federal immigration law may allow, prepares and files applications and petitions with USCIS, the State Department and the immigration courts, and represents clients at interviews and hearings. In court that includes answering the charges, presenting evidence and witnesses, and filing appeals or motions. Only lawyers and accredited representatives may give immigration legal advice.
Do you take cases outside California?
Yes. Immigration law is federal, so we represent clients in all 50 states, before USCIS, U.S. consulates and the immigration courts, in person or by video where the court allows. Carlos Maury is licensed in Florida, and his practice is limited to federal immigration law. Meetings at the Van Nuys office are by appointment only.
Which practice area fits my situation?
It depends on where your case stands. If you have a Notice to Appear or a hearing date, start with deportation defense; if a family member is detained, bond; if you fear returning home, asylum. Many people qualify for more than one path, so we review the whole history before recommending one.
Can I apply for more than one form of relief?
Often, yes. In immigration court a person may ask for several forms of relief in the alternative, for example asylum together with withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protection, or cancellation of removal together with voluntary departure. Each has its own requirements, and the judge decides each one.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Yes. We work with clients in English and Spanish, and Carlos Maury speaks both. Immigration courts provide interpreters at hearings, but documents filed with the court or USCIS in another language must include a certified English translation.
Does a former immigration judge have any influence on my case?
No. Carlos Maury is no longer on the bench and cannot influence any sitting judge or pending case. What his years on the bench and as government counsel bring is experience with how cases are prepared and how evidence is weighed. Every case is decided on its own facts and the law.
What should I bring to a first meeting?
Bring every immigration document you have: notices from the court, ICE or USCIS, your passport and entry records, prior applications, and any arrest or court records. A complete history helps us spot deadlines and problems early. If you do not have your records, we can explain how to request them.
How do I start?
Call (213) 769-0050 or send your case through the contact page. We will ask about your situation, any deadlines or hearing dates, and the documents you have. This page is general information, not legal advice for your case, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
No outcome is guaranteed; every case turns on its own facts and the law.
Find your court in the directory of all 77 immigration courts, read the immigration FAQ, browse forms and resources, or contact us.