Bringing Houston
Families Together.
Experienced in Houston Immigration & Personal Injury.
services
what we do

Houston Immigration
The immigration process can be complicated and confusing. You can rely on De Lara Law Firm, PLLC to provide the experienced help you need to get started with your US immigration process without the stress. Our firm specializes in Naturalization & Citizenship, Family-Based immigration, Deportation Defense, and immigration bonds.

Personal Injury in Houston


Experienced Immigration & Personal Injury Lawyer


Honest & Ethical Legal Guidance with Proven Results


Trusted, Efficient, & Discreet Representation with Every Case

About Us
Who We Are
The De Lara Law Firm, PLLC is a Houston-based firm dedicated to US immigration and Personal Injury. Attorney Ricardo De Lara can help with all aspects of immigration into the USA, and with many satisfied clients having trusted us with their case we promise efficient, discreet and courteous service throughout the entire process.
We understand the difficulties that can be experienced with many areas of the immigration progress, and we cut through the jargon and small print to help guide you through each step. We love to help to bring Houston families together and look forward to serve you. If you are looking for the best immigration lawyer in Houston, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we will answer any questions you may have.


Experienced Immigration & Personal Injury Lawyer


Honest & Ethical Legal Guidance with Proven Results


Trusted, Efficient, & Discreet Representation with Every Case
services
what we do

Houston Immigration
The immigration process can be complicated and confusing. You can rely on De Lara Law Firm, PLLC to provide the experienced help you need to get started with your US immigration process without the stress. Our firm specializes in Naturalization & Citizenship, Family-Based immigration, Deportation Defense, and immigration bonds.

Personal Injury in Houston
Recent Case Results
$8,000 Immigration Court Bond with DWI and Evading Arrest Convictions
Cancellation of Removal 42A Granted for a Permanent Resident with a Drug Conviction
Cancellation of Removal 42B Granted for Client with 5 United States citizen children.
Testimonials
What Our Client Say
Immigration Faq’s
questions & answers
Immigration attorneys help you file the proper forms, provide the correct supporting documents, and outline any fees involved. Any inaccuracies during this process or late filings can increase the wait time or prevent you from becoming a permanent resident. Ricardo De Lara is experienced and dedicated to answering any of your immigration questions and guiding you through process correctly.
If you intend to obtain immigrant status, you must be physically within and have legally entered the U.S. (certain exceptions exist, including abused spouses and children as defined in the VAWA or Violence Against Women Act). Your eligibility to become a green card holder depends on the following immigration categories defined by U.S. immigration law:
- Family-based immigration
- Employment
- Special Immigrant
- Refugee or Asylee Status
- Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
- Victims of Abuse
- Other categories as stipulated by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- Registry (if you had been residing in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972)
The documents you will need to support your citizenship application include your marriage certificate if applying due to marrying a U.S. citizen, a birth certificate, a copy of a legal permanent residency document, two passport-sized photos, a list of trips taken outside of the U.S. in the past five years, and residence and employment history over the past five years.
As is the case with any immigration issue, it’s imperative that you be organized and have the appropriate paperwork ready prior to your first meeting with your Houston citizenship lawyer. This paperwork helps you to present a clear case and to minimize the possibility of delays or problems in the review of your paperwork. Your Houston citizenship attorney can review these documents during your first meeting so that you are aware if you need to collect any further materials.
The first step in obtaining a green card for an eligible family member is to file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition is known as a Form I-130 and requires you to provide your information, the beneficiary’s information, and your relationship to the beneficiary. You will be required to prove your U.S. citizenship or status as a U.S. lawful permanent resident and provide an affidavit stating that you will be financially responsible for the immigrant. Your beneficiary will also be required to undergo health and background screenings.
Asylum can help people who have been the subjects of persecution, torture, or harm in their home countries obtain relief from removal from the United States. Asylum relief is based on the definition of “refugee,” which refers to someone who:
- As a result of a well-founded fear of being persecuted on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, was outside of his or her native country; and
- Due to that fear, was unable or unwilling to avail him or herself of the persecution in that country.
Thus, in order to qualify for asylum, one must establish he or she meets the criteria to be a refugee.
One of the most common questions asked to a Houston asylum lawyer is whether or not you meet the grounds to qualify as a refugee. Refugees can only qualify for this formal classification if the person has no choice but to flee their country due to suffering, harm, or reasonable fear of future harm as the result of basic traits about them. This might include political opinion, sexuality, religion, race, or nationality. Only certain parties will qualify for asylum.
A Houston asylum lawyer will help review your individual case to give you further information about whether or not you meet these grounds.
While many immigrants who enter the country illegally are deported, there are several reasons why someone who is lawfully present in the United States might be deported. There are six reasons that an immigrant may face deportation, including:
- The immigrant enters the country unlawfully
- The immigrant violates the terms of admission in the United States based on his status or works in the country without permission.
- The immigrant is convicted of crimes that range from aggravated felonies to crimes of moral turpitude
- The immigrant is a member of a prohibited organization
- The immigrant becomes a public charge within five years of entering the United States
- The immigrant’s asylum application has been denied or referred to an Immigration Judge
Naturalization is the process by which United States citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills certain requirements. Naturalization requirements include the following:
- You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, or for 3 years if you have obtained residence through your spouse.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have good moral character. This could mean that you volunteer in your community, have a stable work history, or simply do not have a criminal record.
- You can prove continuous residence and physical presence for the 5 or 3-year period leading up to your application, which means that you cannot have been outside of the United States for longer than 180 consecutive days or 1 year in total.
- You pass the citizenship exam, with some exceptions for the elderly and mentally ill.
Those who have been a permanent resident of the United States for a minimum of five years have been a permanent resident for three years or more while married to a U.S. citizen, or if you have served honorably in the U.S. military are eligible to apply for naturalization. This can be achieved by filling out and submitting Form N-400. You will also be required to take a naturalization test and pass.
De Lara Law Firm, PLLC
Ricardo de Lara, Jr.
Attorney Ricardo De Lara, Jr. was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Since obtaining licensure, he has represented clients in the areas of Immigration Law and Personal Injury. He has vast experience in representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and those in Deportation/Removal Proceedings before the United States Department of Justice’s Immigration Courts (EOIR) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Ricardo has extensive experience in complex immigration matters such as Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status, Citizenship, Waivers, Asylum, and Bond Proceedings.

De Lara Law Firm, PLLC
Ricardo De Lara, Jr.
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