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Recent Blog Posts
How Do Fiancé Visas Work?
For couples with one partner living in a different country, the U.S. immigration process can feel long and uncertain. The K-1 fiancé visa offers a path for foreign nationals engaged to U.S. citizens to come to the United States for marriage. It is a process that requires patience, attention to detail, and a good lawyer.
At Hafey & Karim, our Bay Area family immigration lawyers are ready to help you petition the U.S. government for the right to bring your fiancé here. Call 214-506-0671 to get started.
What Is a Fiancé Visa?
The K-1 visa lets a foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen come into the United States to get married. Once approved, the foreign fiancé must marry the U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. After marriage, the spouse can apply for a green card.
Asylum vs. Withholding of Removal
If you are facing the possibility of being sent back to a country where you think you will not be safe, you may be able to stay in the United States. Asylum and Withholding of Removal are both options that can protect you from deportation, but there are important differences between them. If you are in the Bay Area and need help with your immigration case, our San Francisco immigration attorneys are here.
What is Asylum?
Asylum is a form of protection for people who are already in the U.S. or at a U.S. port of entry and have a strong fear of being hurt or persecuted if they return to their home country. This persecution could be based on things like race, religion, nationality, membership in a certain group, or political beliefs.
What the Government Shutdown Means For Immigration
With the federal government facing a possible shutdown on October 1, many people are asking: what happens to immigration cases? The answer depends on which agency handles your case. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- USCIS (under DHS): Most services continue because USCIS is funded by filing fees. You can still submit applications like green cards and work permits (Form I-765). But some programs that rely on congressional funding, such as E-Verify, will go offline.
- EB-5 Investor Program: This program is currently authorized through September 2027, so it should continue operating, though delays are always possible.
- Department of Labor (DOL): This is where shutdowns hit hardest. The DOL will stop processing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1Bs, PERM labor certifications, and prevailing wage determinations. Employers can’t move forward with many job-based immigration filings, leaving both employers and employees stuck.
Proving a Well-Founded Fear in Asylum Cases
For many people who come to the United States, applying for asylum is a way to find safety from danger at home. But asylum is not granted just because someone is afraid to go home. U.S. law requires you to prove that you have a "well-founded fear of persecution." This is the standard that judges and asylum officers use to decide asylum cases.
But how exactly do you prove a well-founded fear of persecution? At Hafey & Karim, our San Francisco asylum attorneys have experience helping people present strong asylum claims. Understanding what counts as a well-founded fear and how to prove it can make the difference between protection and deportation.
What Does "Well-Founded Fear" Mean in Asylum Cases?
Under U.S. immigration law, a refugee is someone who cannot return home because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. This fear must be tied to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Supreme Court Expands Racial Profiling
The Supreme Court just gave the green light to racial profiling.
No, you didn’t just wake up in the 1950s Jim Crow South — it’s happening today.
This week’s Supreme Court ruling in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem is a dangerous setback for civil rights. By lifting restrictions on immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, the Court has essentially said that race, accent, location, or type of work can all be used as part of "reasonable suspicion."
What does that mean in practice?
It means communities of color—immigrants and citizens alike—can now be targeted simply for how they look or sound. Justice Sotomayor’s dissent warned that this decision erodes the Fourth Amendment and normalizes discrimination. She’s right.
The fallout will extend far beyond Los Angeles. Once racial profiling is legitimized here, it risks spreading nationwide.
What Happens if My Asylum Case Is Denied?
Many people fleeing persecution are hoping for safety, stability, and a new beginning. But sometimes, an asylum application is denied. If this happens, it does not necessarily mean you will be forced to leave the country right away, but you do need to take immediate action. Understanding your options after a denial can help you make the next best decision for your future.
At Hafey & Karim, our Bay Area immigration lawyers understand affirmative asylum, defensive asylum, and political asylum and can help you decide what to do next if your asylum application has already been denied. Call us at 214-506-0671 for a consultation.
What Are the Common Reasons Asylum Is Denied?
Asylum claims can be denied for many reasons. Some common ones include:
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Missed deadlines: Most applicants must apply for asylum within one year of arriving in the U.S. Exceptions exist, but missing the deadline can lead to denial.
What to Do if Your Family-Based Green Card Case Is Stuck in Administrative Processing
For many families, the approval of a family-based green card is the final step toward stability in the United States. But in some cases, even after an interview or document submission, people receive notice that their case is in "administrative processing." This can be a frustrating, uncertain period, especially for South Asian and Muslim families, who sometimes face longer review times due to additional security checks.
At Hafey & Karim, we are here to provide trusted support for these difficult situations. Attorney Karim reads, writes, and speaks Bengali fluently, and she understands the cultural and religious factors that matter to South Asian and Muslim families navigating U.S. immigration procedures. If you are waiting for your green card or a family member’s green card to get approved, you do not have to sit around and wait. With the help of our Bay Area immigration lawyers, you can act..
Can I Still Fight Deportation If I Have a Criminal Record?
For many immigrants, receiving a Notice to Appear in immigration court feels like the end of the road, especially if you have a criminal record. But a criminal conviction does not automatically mean you will be deported. In fact, many people in the Bay Area and throughout California are still able to remain in the United States through carefully prepared legal defenses.
If you or a loved one is facing removal, you need to know your rights and your options. At Hafey & Karim, our San Francisco immigration attorneys represent immigrants from all backgrounds — including Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and Spanish-speaking communities — with careful, strategic removal defense.
Not Every Criminal Conviction Leads to Deportation Proceedings and Removal
Under U.S. immigration law, certain criminal convictions can trigger deportation. These include what the law defines as "aggravated felonies," "crimes involving moral turpitude," and some drug offenses. But not all charges meet these definitions, and in some cases, even a conviction that sounds serious might not be deportable under the law.
Does Having an American Citizen Child Reduce Your Chances of Deportation?
For many immigrant parents, the hope that having a U.S. citizen child will protect them from deportation is deeply felt. In reality, under U.S. immigration law, having a child born in the United States does not automatically prevent removal. However, there are certain situations where it can be a factor in a removal defense.
As of July 2025, the Department of Homeland Security may consider the extreme hardship that deportation would cause to a U.S. citizen child, but it does not guarantee that you can stay if you are facing removal. Parents facing removal proceedings in San Francisco need to act quickly to protect their rights and understand their options. Our Bay Area immigration attorneys are here to help.
Can a U.S. Citizen Child Stop Deportation?
Having a child who is a U.S. citizen does not provide automatic legal status to parents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can still initiate removal proceedings against undocumented parents. However, your child’s citizenship may open the door to certain forms of relief:
What Happens if ICE Comes to Your Work or Home?
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appear at a home or workplace in the Bay Area, it creates fear and confusion for families and employees alike. These encounters can happen without warning, especially given the Trump administration’s aggressive moves towards deporting immigrants. Knowing your rights is critical to protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Understanding what ICE can and cannot do — and how a San Francisco removal defense attorney can help if you are detained — will make all the difference in getting you through this stressful situation.
What Are Your Rights If ICE Comes to Your Home?
Federal law does not allow ICE agents to enter your home without proper authorization. In order to come inside, agents must have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Many times, ICE officers will present an administrative warrant, which is not the same thing. An administrative warrant (Forms I-200 or I-205) is not enough to give them permission to cross your threshold.
Our firm provides representation for people throughout the United States. From our Concord office, we serve clients in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael, San Pablo, Richmond, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, San Bruno, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Mountain View, Milpitas, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Campbell. Additionally, we serve clients in Texas cities including, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Coppell, and Fort Worth.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
