Immigrants come to the United States with hopes and dreams. Those aspirations need to be supported by strong legal protections. Our laws offer protection, security, and stability for migrants in a wide range of life circumstances, and the immigration lawyers at Sherris Legal, P.A. have over 15 years of experience helping clients secure those protections.
Professional Competence and Personal Compassion
Our immigration lawyers have extensive experience helping clients deal with the system. That experience has given us a firm grasp of the nuance of the entire process and how to manage it. More than that, our deep personal interest in helping immigrants only grows with every case we handle. When you come to Sherris Legal, P.A., you’ll never be just a number or just another case—you’ll be a real person with goals, hopes, and dreams that we’re honored to help you pursue.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program created to protect eligible undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children from deportation. Introduced in 2012, the program provides a temporary, renewable status that allows qualifying individuals to live and work in the U.S. without fear of removal. Though DACA does not grant permanent legal status or citizenship, it offers a sense of stability and security to those who meet its criteria.
To qualify for DACA, applicants must satisfy several conditions. They must have arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday and been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. Continuous residence in the U.S. since June 15, 2004, is required, and applicants must have been physically present in the country on June 15, 2012, when the program was announced.
Additionally, applicants must either be currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, earned a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military. Those with significant criminal records or deemed a threat to public safety are not eligible for DACA
Clear Communication, Always
We keep you informed at every step, so you’ll never feel lost or alone in the legal process.
Personal Attention for Every Case
As a smaller firm, we give your case the care and focus it deserves. You’re never just a file to us—you’re a person who matters.
Affordable Legal Help
We’re dedicated to making quality legal assistance accessible and affordable, so you can get the support you need without breaking the bank.
Hablamos Español
Trabaje con un abogado de lesiones personales que hable su idioma.
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An Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly known as a work permit, is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It grants individuals who are not U.S. citizens or green card holders the legal right to work in the United States for a specified period. The EAD serves as proof of eligibility for employment and is a vital document for many immigrants seeking to support themselves and their families while residing in the country.
The EAD is available to various categories of individuals. Those who might qualify include:
Asylees and asylum seekers
Refugees
DACA recipients
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders
Applicants for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residency
Individuals with pending applications for certain types of visas, such as U and T Visas
Dependents of certain visa holders, such as L-2 or E-2 spouses
The EAD is typically valid for one year but can be issued for shorter or longer durations depending on the applicant’s immigration status. Renewals are possible as long as the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria. Possessing an EAD allows people to work legally, opening doors to employment opportunities and financial independence.
EB-5 Investor Visas
The EB-5 Investor Visa is a program designed to encourage investment and stimulate economic growth by offering eligible individuals and their families a path to lawful permanent residency. Established in 1990, the program aims to attract international investors willing to invest significant capital in job-creating businesses within the United States.
To qualify for an EB-5 Investor Visa, an applicant needs to make a minimum investment in a U.S.-based commercial enterprise. The standard investment amount is $1,050,000, but in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), which include rural areas or regions with high unemployment, the minimum is reduced to $800,000. The investment must lead to the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers over a two-year period.
Applicants must show that the capital invested comes from lawful sources and demonstrate active involvement in the enterprise, either through direct management or policy-making roles. Family members, including a spouse and unmarried children under 21, can be included in the application.
The EB-5 Investor Visa aids economic development and offers investors and their families an opportunity to live and work permanently in the U.S., making it an attractive option for those seeking stability and new ventures.
I-601a Provisional Waivers
The I-601a Provisional Waiver is a program designed to help eligible individuals overcome specific immigration barriers caused by unlawful presence in the United States. Those who have accrued unlawful presence--meaning they stayed in the U.S. without legal status longer than was permitted--may face bans from reentering the country when they leave to complete their immigration process abroad.
The I-601a waiver allows applicants to apply for a waiver of these penalties before departing the U.S., significantly reducing the time spent separated from their families during the application process.
This waiver primarily benefits immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, such as spouses, children, or parents who need to travel abroad to apply for their immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
To qualify, applicants must prove that denying their admission would cause “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative, such as a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The I-601a waiver only addresses issues related to unlawful presence and cannot waive other grounds of inadmissibility, like criminal history.
By granting the opportunity to resolve immigration penalties in advance, the waiver can simplify a complex process.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the legal process through which a foreign national becomes a U.S. citizen. It allows individuals to fully participate in American life, including the ability to vote, hold a U.S. passport, and enjoy the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
To qualify for naturalization, an applicant must meet several criteria. Generally, they must be at least 18 years old and have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for a specific amount of time--typically five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. Applicants must demonstrate continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. during this period. They must also establish good moral character, meaning they have abided by the law and maintained ethical behavior.
The naturalization process also requires applicants to pass a U.S. citizenship test, which includes components on English language proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government. Additionally, applicants must take an oath of allegiance, pledging loyalty to the United States.
Naturalization represents an important milestone for many immigrants. It signifies their acceptance as full members of American society and grants them the ability to help shape our country’s future.
Permanent Residency
Permanent residency, often referred to as having a green card, grants applicants the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States. Green card holders enjoy many rights, including the ability to travel freely within and outside the U.S., work for any employer without restriction, and access certain government benefits. Permanent residency is a key step for many immigrants seeking to build a stable life in the U.S. and potentially work toward citizenship.
To qualify for permanent residency, an individual typically needs to meet certain requirements. These include being sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member, obtaining employment-based sponsorship, or fitting into special categories like refugees or asylees.
The process of obtaining a green card varies depending on the category but usually involves filing specific petitions, demonstrating eligibility, and meeting background check standards. For those already in the U.S., adjustment of status allows them to apply without leaving the country. Others may apply through consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad.
With a green card in hard, immigrants can focus on building a secure future in the United States, enjoying long-term stability and opportunities.
US Citizenship Test and Interview
The U.S. Citizenship Test and Interview are essential components of the naturalization process. They are designed to evaluate an applicant’s understanding of English, knowledge of U.S. history and government, and readiness to take on the responsibilities of citizenship.
The interview, conducted by a USCIS officer, begins by reviewing the applicant’s Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). This includes verifying personal information, discussing the applicant's background, and determining their eligibility for naturalization. The officer may also ask questions related to the applicant’s moral character and continuous residency in the U.S.
The naturalization test includes two main components:
English test: This evaluates the applicant’s ability to read, write, and speak basic English.
Civics test: This assesses knowledge of U.S. government and history.
VAWA
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a key piece of U.S. legislation designed to protect victims of abuse and violence, particularly those who face additional vulnerabilities due to their immigration status. VAWA allows those who have suffered domestic violence, sexual assault, or extreme cruelty to self-petition for legal status without relying on their abusive relatives. The goal is to enable victims to seek safety and independence without fear of retaliation or deportation.
Victims can qualify if they are a spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has subjected them to abuse or extreme cruelty. Importantly, this protection recognizes both physical and mental forms of abuse, offering a lifeline to those enduring severe emotional harm.
Qualifying applicants must demonstrate a good-faith marriage or relationship, evidence of abuse, and their physical residence in the United States. Victims must also showcase moral character during the application process.
By providing a pathway to legal status, VAWA empowers victims to escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives. It plays a crucial role in fostering justice and offering protection to those facing severe hardships in vulnerable circumstances.
U Visa
The U Visa is a special type of immigration benefit in the United States created to protect victims of certain crimes who have suffered significant physical or mental abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes. The U Visa aims to encourage undocumented individuals to report crimes without fear of deportation, allowing justice to be served.
The crime in question must fall under a category that the U Visa covers, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or kidnapping. The applicant must demonstrate that they have suffered substantial harm due to the crime. Additionally, their cooperation with law enforcement is a key condition, whether by reporting the crime, offering information, or providing testimony during the investigation or trial.
The U Visa provides victims with legal status and the opportunity to live and work in the U.S. while promoting accountability for perpetrators. It is a critical tool in supporting public safety and assisting those affected by severe crimes.
We work with both English and Spanish-speaking clients. Call (407) 598-6035 today. We can meet in person at the Orlando office or virtually, whichever you prefer.
