Immigration and Nationality Law
The Law Office of Courtney McDermed specializes in immigration and nationality law. Our mission is to provide quality legal representation to the immigrant and undocumented community. We believe all persons, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to professional, effective legal representation. We’re committed to ensuring that our client’s rights under the law are protected and that their goals are met. We recognize that every case is different and we seek to serve our clients by giving each case the individualized attention it deserves.
Experience in Immigration and Nationality Law
Courtney McDermed is devoted exclusively to the practice of immigration law and has more than 15 years experience representing hundreds upon hundreds of clients before the United States Immigration and Citizenship Service (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of State, the Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), and the federal appellate courts.
Effective Legal Representation
Providing high-quality, effective legal representation is at the center of all we do. Whether it’s representing clients in removal proceedings before the immigration court, with an application before the immigration service, or on an appeal with the federal court, our quality approach to the practice of law ensures that our clients’ rights are protected and their goals obtained. High-quality, effective representation and a personal commitment to our clients — from beginning to end — distinguishes us from many other law firms. At the Law Office of Courtney McDermed, every single client’s case is important to us and we’re committed to representing their best interests.
What we do
Applications with Immigration Service
Application Processes
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. During the application process with USCIS, everyone has the right to a lawyer. Some of the applications Courtney McDermed has experience with include applications for lawful permanent resident (“green card”), removal of conditional residence (Form I-751), visa petitions, work permits, humanitarian parole, citizenship, travel documents, NACARA, self petitions as a widow(er) or under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and temporary protected status (TPS).
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Convention Against Torture
Asylum is a form of protection available to people who meet the definition of a refugee and are either already in the United States or are seeking admission at a port of entry. A person may apply for asylum in the United States regardless of country of origin or current immigration status. Noncitizens can apply for asylum affirmatively with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) or seek asylum as a form or relief from removal before an immigration judge.
Immigration Detention, Bond Preceding
Courtney McDermed has extensive experience representing persons who have been detained by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). If ICE does not release a person or sets a bond that is too high, that person can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Moreover, someone detained by ICE does not have to wait for ICE to issue a charging document called a Notice to Appear (NTA) before requesting a bond hearing — a person can apply for a bond as soon as he or she is taken into custody.
Consular Processing
Exploring All Legal Options to Reunite Families
The Law Office of Courtney McDermed believes that reuniting family members through immigration is among the most important work that we do. We’re committed to exploring all of the possible legal options a person has for immigrating to the U.S. or bringing eligible family members here.
Specific family visa categories Courtney McDermed can assist with include the immediate relatives, the family preference categories, and the more specialized K visa types (for fiances/fiancees and spouses).
Although each situation is unique, Cocurtney actively seeks to achieve a timely and successful outcome in every case. We encourage people with family abroad to consult with an experienced attorney.
Deportation / Removal Proceedings
The Right to Obtain an Attorney
Deportation and removal proceedings can be very confusing and frightening. Although the process is similar to a criminal trial, removal proceedings are considered civil proceedings, not criminal, and therefore are not subject to the same rules and protections found in criminal trials. Fortunately, persons still have the right to obtain an attorney and can contest whether in fact he or she is removable and if so whether there is any form of relief that will permit him or her to remain in the United States.
Naturalization, Citizenship
Obtaining United States citizenship is a life-long dream for many people. The application process is commonly known as “naturalization.” Although there are several requirements to becoming a United States citizen, Courtney McDermed can help people determine whether they are eligible for naturalization. Some questions to consider include:
- Have there been prolonged absences from the United States?
- Will marriage help shorten the wait for U.S. citizenship?
- Will overseas employment be a help or a hindrance?
- Were there complications in the application for permanent residence that may affect the ability to obtain a U.S. passport?
