Navigating U.S. Immigration Law: Essential Insights
At the US border, federal law authorizes government agents to ask you any number of questions for any length of time. Their questions may relate to your immigration status, the nature and length of your stay in the US, and any items you may be carrying into the country. During this questioning at the border, you always have a right to remain silent. However, if you refuse to answer their questions, they will likely deny you entry into the US. You do not have a right to have an attorney present during this questioning.
Government agents at the border may legally search your property, including your luggage and your vehicle, in order to verify whether you are carrying any dangerous or illegal items into the US. Border agents do not need a warrant or probable cause for routine searches at the border. While routine searches don’t need to be based on any suspicion of criminal activity and don’t require your consent, more invasive searches do need to be justified. If the border agents find any evidence of a crime during their searches, they are allowed to take that property away from you.
Further, government agents at the border may search your electronic devices, including phones, cameras, and computers, without having any suspicion of wrongdoing. Generally, they must do so in front of you and their supervisor. You may refuse to give them your password for your devices, but doing so will likely lead to further questioning. They may NOT delete or alter any information on your devices during the search.
If the agents detain you at the border due to your immigration status, you have a right to remain silent and consult with an attorney. The government may not use your silence against you in court. However, if you choose to remain silent and speak to an attorney, you will have to find and pay for your own legal counsel.
If government agents detain you at the border due to suspicion of having committed a crime, you also have a right to remain silent and speak to an attorney. If the government files criminal charges against you, and you can’t afford an attorney, the government will provide you with a lawyer at no cost to you. You should not sign anything government officials give you before you speak to an attorney. Law enforcement is legally allowed to lie to you in order to investigate their suspicions that you committed a crime. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you in a court of law. In order to protect your rights, remain silent and exercise your right to speak to an attorney.
Finally, if you are detained at the border, you have a right to make a phone call to a family member.
Comprehensive Case
Management:
From start to finish, we handle all paperwork, deadlines, communication with U.S. immigration authorities.
Transparent
and
Clear Guidance:
Immigration processes are complex, but we make it simple by guiding you every step of the way.
At Gorostiaga Law Firm, we go beyond paperwork, taking time to understand your story, needs, and goals.
Our multilingual team ensures clear communication and support in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Proven Expertise in U.S. Immigration:
Our firm brings extensive experience in immigration law and is up-to-date with the latest regulations.
Proven Expertise in U.S. Immigration:
Our firm brings extensive experience in immigration law and is up-to-date with the latest regulations.
Comprehensive Case Management:
From start to finish, we handle all paperwork, deadlines, communication with U.S. immigration authorities.
Transparent
and
Clear Guidance:
Immigration processes are complex, but we make it simple by guiding you every step of the way.
At Gorostiaga Law Firm, we go beyond paperwork, taking time to understand your story, needs, and goals.
At Gorostiaga Law, we provide tailored legal guidance to help individuals and families understand their rights and options, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and facilitating a smoother immigration journey.
For more detailed insights, please contact us or explore our services.
Expert Advice
Receive expert legal advice tailored to your needs, ensuring informed decisions and effective solutions for your legal challenges.
Legal Defense
We provide strong and strategic legal
defense to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
99% case win
With a 99% case win rate, we are dedicated to providing effective legal
defense to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
"My husband and I had a great experience with Virginia and her team. Members of the team are fluent in spanish- As a spanish speaking person I really appreciate how easy that made it to understand and follow the process even better. Anytime we had a question or concern they were very easy to reach and always made us feel very comfortable. 100% would recommend to work with them, you won’t regret it!"
- Maria Jose Meneses Meza
"I would recommend all my friends and family to Gorostiaga Law. Virginia is effortless at what she does and genuine lawyer who does things the right way from day one. Thank you for all your time you put on my case Virginia. Take care and hopefully I come back to seek for your legal advise soon."
- Rahin Ahmed
"Ms Gorostiaga is a conscientious dedicated judicious attorney. Ms Virginia Gorostiaga treats each of her clients with a level of respect and compassion that makes you feel valued and understood and lets you know that you will be treated with the utmost professionalism and dedication. I hope one day that Ms Gorostiaga will be more than my attorney, she will be a trusted faithful lifelong friend! I am trusting her with my life and my legacy"
- Edel Quinn
Gorostiaga Law specializes in immigration law, offering services such as family immigration, business immigration, naturalization, and civil litigation. Our dedicated team provides personalized support to navigate the complexities of the immigration process. We strive to ensure our clients achieve their legal goals efficiently and effectively.
You can schedule a consultation by visiting our website and filling out the contact form. Alternatively, you can call our office directly to speak with a member of our team. We are here to assist you in setting up a convenient appointment.
During your consultation, please bring relevant documents such as your passport, visa, and any immigration paperwork you have. This information will help us better understand your case and provide tailored advice. If applicable, bring any additional documentation related to your family or business immigration needs.
The duration of the immigration process varies based on the specific type of application and the current workload of immigration authorities. Our team will provide you with an estimated timeline during your consultation, considering your unique circumstances. We aim to keep you informed and updated throughout the entire process.
Yes, our team at Gorostiaga Law is multilingual and can assist clients in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Gujarati. We believe that clear communication is crucial for a successful legal experience. Our goal is to ensure that all clients feel comfortable and fully understand the legal process.