PRACTICE AREAS

Family Based Immigration

U.S. citizens petitioning for their spouses, fiancés, parents, siblings, and children can count on Walker Gates Vela to assist them in understanding and meeting all of the requirements for reuniting family members. Whether you need a provisional or complex waiver, consular processing, or an adjustment of status, our Austin lawyers have years of experience helping clients successfully navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.

Criminal Defense And Deportation Defense

If you are an immigrant charged with a crime, you have more than your freedom at stake. You could be deported – meaning you could be separated from your family and possibly returned to a country you have not been to in many years, and where opportunities may be limited or your security may be threatened. Deportation is also a risk for anyone in the United States in undocumented status. At Walker Gates Vela, we will work to help you fight against deportation and strive to win the best possible chance for you to remain in the country on legal terms.

Humanitarian Based Immigration

For individuals seeking protection from torture, persecution, or other dangerous conditions in his or her home country, Walker Gates Vela can help. We represent clients seeking humanitarian parole, asylum, Temporary Protected Status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and Withholding of Removal.

Naturalization And Citizenship

Many immigrants from around the world aspire to U.S. citizenship. Whether it be so you can vote or even run for elected office, or simply to formalize your loyalty to the United States, compliance with the requirements for naturalization is a must. Walker Gates Vela can assist in analyzing your eligibility to apply for citizenship and step you through the citizenship process so as to give your application the best possible chance of success.

Dreamers And Immigrant Youth

Millions of undocumented children in the United States call this country home. Walker Gates Vela is committed to helping protect their chances of remaining here. We work on cases involving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and more.

Visas for Victims of Crime, Human Trafficking, and Domestic Violence

Generally speaking, the immigration laws in the United States are harsh and restrictive, offering very few waivers or pardons for only a very narrow set of legal violations. A very important exception to this general rule is the set of laws governing immigration for victims of crime, human trafficking, and domestic violence — IF those victims are helpful to police, prosecutors, and other law enforcement agencies. Walker Gates Vela has worked with thousands of central Texas immigrants who have been victims of violent crime to obtain lawful immigration status. If you have been the victim of crime in the United States and have reported that crime to police and cooperated fully with their investigation, let Walker Gates Vela help you transform that traumatic experience into something that supports you, your family, and your dreams for your future.

Immigration Appeals

Have you lost an immigration case? Perhaps your application was denied or you were convicted of a crime or are being detained for deportation. At Walker Gates Vela, we have represented numerous clients in successful appeals of their immigration cases. Just because your request for lawful status in the United States has suffered a set back does not mean you cannot secure a favorable outcome on appeal. At Walker Gates Vela, we do not give up on a case just because someone has said “No.” We keep fighting for a “Yes” to the extent permitted by law. We have successfully represented clients before the Administrative Appeals Office, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.