Immigration Attorneys San Francisco | Bay Area Naturalization, Citizenship Lawyers

Philip Levin & Associates
1050 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-392-4660 Phone
415-421-0259 Fax
(Main Office)

Other offices located in San Rafael, California and San Jose, California.

Serving Businesses and Families Around the World

With an exclusive focus on immigration law since 1991, Philip Levin & Associates provides comprehensive client service for businesses, families, foreign nationals residing or studying in the U.S. and overseas executives, professionals, traders and investors seeking citizenship, lawful permanent residence or visas for entry in to the United States.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the firm works with businesses of all sizes and in all industries, utilizing its experience to develop winning immigration strategies to assist its clients in recruiting and retaining their employees. Additionally, throughout its history, Philip Levin & Associates has helped hundreds of families immigrate to the U.S. The firm also specializes in deportation defense and naturalization matters.

Contact one of our attorneys to learn about the scope of our practice and how we can guide you through your immigration case. For businesses and foreign nationals seeking employment-based entry, we can advise you about the most effective visa options for your specific circumstances, and ensure that your documentation is complete and accurate. In today's international market, our office partners with in-house legal teams, law firms, and/or Human Resources departments to ensure that your cases are handled professionally, quickly, and efficiently.

Comprehensive Immigration Advice — Nonimmigrant Visas and Green Cards

A particular strength of our practice is our experience in assisting international businesses in bringing their employees temporarily or permanently to the U.S. If you or your company is opening an office in the U.S. or transferring an executive or specially trained employee to one that already exists, we have the experience you need. In particular, the firm principal is recognized as an expert for those Treaty Traders and Investors seeking entry under E-1 or E-2 visas.

We can also advise nonimmigrants working in California under temporary employment visas about their rights and responsibilities. If you are interested in obtaining permanent residence in the U.S., we can help you and your employer with the necessary PERM labor certification. We also advise individuals and families about immigration matters ranging from fiancé/fiancée visas to defense in all aspects of removal and deportation defense.

Whether you need help with a complex labor certification problem, have immigration compliance issues in your Human Resources department, or require advice about the surest path toward naturalization and citizenship, we can advise and represent you. Contact one of our lawyers to learn more about our ability to serve your needs.

On January 20, 2010, the United States Supreme Court, in Kucana v. Holder, 2010 WL 173368, held that federal circuit courts of appeal have jurisdiction to review Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) denials of Motions to Reopen via petitions for review, as such determinations are not discretionary. The Supreme Court has also granted certiorari in Carachuri-Rosendo v. Holder, 2009 WL 2058154, and will rule on whether a second state conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance qualifies as an aggravated felony because the defendant might have been charged with recidivist simple possession, a federal felony.

On January 12, 2010, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano designated Haitian citizens in the U.S. for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as a result of the earthquake in that country. The designation is valid through July 22, 2011. Additionally, on January 13th, DHS, through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), temporarily halted all deportations to Haiti.

On January 19, 2010, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule at 75 Fed. Reg. 2785 (effective February 18, 2010) reducing the amount of time – from 3 years to 1 year - a member of the U.S. Armed forces must serve to qualify to apply for naturalization. The new rule also reduces the documentary requirements for filing as well.

On January 4, 2010, U.S. Immigration and customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it was postponing the February 2010 roll-out of the SEVIS II system, which will now occur in two phases, known as Initial Operating Capability and Final Operating Capability.

Information about the new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule removing HIV infection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of communicable diseases of public health significance can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/laws_regs/fed_reg/remove-hiv/final-rule-hiv.htm

A comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) bill was introduced in Congress on December 15, 2009. Entitled the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), the legislation is now pending in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 4321).

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton announced on December 16, 2009 that ICE will no longer automatically detain arriving aliens seeking political asylum who have a credible fear of persecution. As of January 4, 2010, ICE will parole or release from detention those who can establish their identity, pose no flight risk or danger to the community, have a credible fear of persecution or torture and where no negative factors counsel against release.

In Matter of Moreno-Escobosa, 25 I. & N. Dec. 114 (BIA 2009), the Board of Immigration Appeals held that the date of one's plea agreement, not the date of sentencing, determines a respondent's eligibility for INA §212(c) relief.

In Matter of Yauri, 25 I. & N. Dec. 103 (BIA 2009), the Board of Immigration Appeals clarified its position on untimely and number-barred motions to sua sponte reopen or remand, holding that it would not reopen a proceeding, e.g., stay a final order of removal, when it has no jurisdiction over the application underlying the motion.

Archived News

Philip Levin & Associates represents clients throughout the world. We have clients from the Philippines, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, Korea, Canada, France, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Brazil and Vietnam. Our clients are located throughout the United States, including Massachusetts, Texas, Nevada. In our home state, we serve clients in the Bay Area, Northern Ca, Southern California, San Francisco and San Francisco County, Marin County, San Rafael, Sausalito, San Anselmo, Ross, Mill Valley, San Mateo County, San Mateo, Millbrae, San Bruno, South San Francisco, Burlingame, Pacifica, Daly City, Brisbane, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Atherton, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Foster City, Redwood Shores, Sonoma County, Solano County, Napa County, Alameda County, Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Pleasanton, Livermore, Castro Valley, Fremont, Contra Costa County, Richmond, El Cerrito, Pinole, Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek, Pittsburgh, Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, Mountain View, South Bay, San Jose, Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, Gilroy, Monterey County, Santa Cruz, Salinas, Watsonville, Carmel, San ramon, Dublin, Hercules, American Canyon, Vallejo, Sacramento.