Meet Attorney Caroline Stephenson…

Caroline Stephenson is an experienced immigration attorney who is a member of the Washington D.C. bar. She graduated from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, in 2008. She also graduated from University of the West Indies, Cave Hill in 2004 and from the University of the West Indies, Mona in 2001.

Caroline Stephenson was born in Saint Ann, Jamaica. She immigrated to the United States in 2005 and later became a naturalized citizen of the United States. She therefore has a personal understanding of the challenges involved in becoming a lawful immigrant living in the United States. She also has a deep appreciation of what it means to obtain U.S. citizenship.

It is from this unique perspective of having been an immigrant herself, that she approach each and every case presented to her. She understand what it means to yearn to become a citizen of the United States and she fights tirelessly in her effort to achieve this goal for her clients who seeks to become lawful permanent residents and citizens of the United States.

Practice Areas

The Law Office of Caroline Stephenson, conveniently located at 89-15 Parsons Blvd Suite 1G, Queens , New York 11432, specializes in the practice of immigration law exclusively. This practice works diligently and tirelessly in fighting for our client’s interests. And most importantly we are a practice that all clients can trust.

“Our office” is located in the heart of Queens, New York! One of the largest immigrant communities in the United States. Our practice is one that prides itself on addressing the immediate needs of those in our immediate and surrounding communities. We are expansive enough to represent clients from all over the continental United States and would be more than happy to service your individual needs.

The mission of the practice is not only to provide a service to clients, but to strengthen the immigrant community through knowledge and empowerment. The Law Office of Caroline Stephenson has worked with several non-profit and religious organizations conducting legal seminars and forums to educate the community about U.S. Immigration Law and policies.† The practice also engage out-reach programs to facilitate the development of the community. The Law Office of Caroline Stephenson also works with Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) to provide pro-bono representation to unaccompanied minors with legitimate asylum claims.

Services

Green Card for…

Green card filing for family members who lives abroad

Filings for family members who are outside of the United States typically requires a two part process.  The initial process requires that a petition be filed with the Department of Homeland Security.  Once the petition is approved by Department of Homeland Security the petition is typically forwarded to the National Visa Center in the State Department.  Once the NVC finish processing the case the Applicant’s file is sent to the US Embassy or Consulate abroad where the family member who was filed for is usually interviewed.

Depending on the relative who is being filed for, the immigrant visa process can take many years to be completed.  In some cases however, the immigrant visa applicant may not be required to wait for a visa number to become available.

To avoid unnecessary delays and to facilitate timely adjudication of these petitions, it is advisable to use an attorney for the preparation and submission of documents.

Green card filing for religious worker

There are a number of requirements which must be met before a religious worker can adjust status. The most basic of which is showing that the applicant has been a member of the religious organization for a specific period of time.

And that the religious organization has the financial resources to adequately compensate the Applicant for her work as a religious worker.

Green card filing for victims of spousal abuse and victims of extreme cruelty

There are five basic requirements which must be established for an applicant seeking to obtain a green card because of spousal abuse or extreme cruelty.  The most basic is that of showing that a bona fide marriage subsisted  between the Applicant and her spouse.  Her Spouse must be a US citizen of a lawful permanent resident of the US.

She must also provide proof that she lived with the spouse, and that she was subjected to physical abuse or extreme cruelty by the spouse.  The last requirement is showing that she is a person of good moral character.

 Green card filing for family members who lives in the U.S.

Filings for an undocumented family member who already lives the US so that (s)he or he can complete the entire process for obtaining a green-card in the U.S. is typically referred to as adjustment of status. This process typically requires that the person seeking the green-card through adjustment of status meet certain eligibility requirements.

One possible requirement for Adjustment of Status can be as basic as showing that the green card applicant is in a bona-fide marriage to a US Citizen, if the Applicant is claiming eligibility for the green on the basis of marriage. Another likely requirement for adjustment of status is to show that the green-card applicant was inspected and admitted into the U.S. by the CBP. There are also many factors that may disqualify an individual from getting a green card.

It is therefore absolutely essential that the Applicant therefore seek to obtain legal advice from a competent Immigration Attorney before the submission of any green card application.

Citizenship

The legitimate acquisition of U.S. citizenship is the only status that safeguards a person from deportation/removal from the U.S.  The importance of obtaining U.S. citizenship cannot be over-emphasized.  We strongly encourage those who are eligible for U.S. citizenship because they have been a permanent resident for five years (or three years when married to a US citizen). And who can demonstrate that they are persons of good moral character, to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Asylum

The connection between human rights law and immigration law is probably most apparent in the representation of asylum seekers. Individuals who are forced to flee their country of residence because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion are generally protected from removal by the Immigration and Nationality Law of the U.S

Deportation Hearing

Non-citizens who have violated the laws of the U.S. are particularly susceptible to deportation or removal from the United States.  There are many individuals for example who are or were the subject of criminal court proceedings and have taken a plea deal, without having a complete understanding of adverse immigration consequences that may arise because of such a plea.  It is therefore imperative that any non-citizen who stands as an accused in a criminal court case, consult with competent immigration attorney, even where the accused is or has been represented by a criminal defense attorney.

Next Steps…

Email, call, or message the Law Office of Caroline Stephenson to learn how she may be able to assist you, your family, or friends.


Call now! 347-451-4282 or 718-399-6000

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is intended strictly to be used for information purposes and to educate the public in a general manner. The information contained in this page should not be considered legal advice, legal consultation, expressed or implied representation or a formal or an informal retention of this office. To create a formal attorney-client relationship a retainer must be signed and a fee must be paid to this office. Our response to any of your questions, comments, concerns etc. does not establish an attorney-client relationship. By responding to your questions we do not consider ourselves your attorneys. The response to your questions is strictly informational in nature and should not be considered or used as legal advice in any manner. The information contained on this site is general information on immigration laws and issues. The general information that is included in this web page will not cover the various exceptions and loopholes that are prevalent in the Immigration laws. It is our intention that this web page will educate you and hopefully enhance your understanding of Immigration laws.

Located in the HEART of Queens!

The law office of Caroline Stephenson specializes in the practice of immigration law exclusively.  This practice works diligently and tirelessly in fighting for our client’s interests.  And most importantly we are a practice that all clients can trust.

“Our office” is located in the heart of Queens, New York! Conveniently located at 89-15 Parsons Blvd Suite 1G, Queens, New York 11432 in one of the largest immigrant communities in the United States.  Our practice is one that prides itself on addressing the immediate needs of those in our immediate and surrounding communities. We are expansive enough to represent clients from all over the continental United States and would be more than happy to service your individual needs.

The mission of the practice is not only to provide a service to clients, but to strengthen the immigrant community through knowledge and empowerment.  Our law practice has worked with several non-profit and religious organizations conducting legal seminars and forums to educate the community about U.S. Immigration Law and policies.†  The practice also engage out-reach programs to facilitate the development of the community.  The law office of Caroline Stephenson also works with Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) to provide pro-bono representation to unaccompanied minors with legitimate asylum claims.

Communication is the Key!

The Law Firm of Caroline Stephenson has incorporated online communication via SKYPE, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Facetime! We understand that sometimes LIFE gets in the way of reaching out! We are here to help you regardless of distance, time of day, or other commitments that may have you at a disadvantage to walk into our Queens, New York office.

For a consultation, simply include your communication preference id on the appointment form. Please make sure to include time and date that you are available for an online meeting. Or, just give us a phone call to set up an appointment at 347-451-4282 or 718-399-6000.

Please make note that this is not a free consultation. It is a paid consultation that will allow The Law Firm of Caroline Stephenson to START the process of your case. In lieu of your appointment, we would like certain verifiable documents that can be scanned for review. We will alert you as to when we will need the actual documents in our office. For returnable items, you may send a S.A.S.E. (Self Addressed Stamped Envelop) or we could return them to you with an additional minor fee.

With the use of today’s technology, we are working to help you enjoy your life and participate happily in your quest of the American Dream!

Contact Us to Help You!

F.I.R.M. For Immigration Rights Movement

Your Voices!

PEOPLE ASK WHY DID USCIS CHANGE ITS VISA FEES IN 2023?

Can Lawful Permanent Residents otherwise known as green card holders be barred from entering the United States? This question seemed relevant in light of President Trump’s recent executive order, issued towards the end of January 2017 in which the Trump administration in seeking to temporarily ban nationals from seven Muslim majority countries namely: Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Lybia initially argued that permanent residents from these seven banned countries were also barred and therefore needed a waiver to enter the United States.

Business Marriages and why they should be avoided

“Business marriage” is a type of sham marriage involving spouses with different immigration status. Typically it is a marriage between a US citizen and an undocumented immigrant. However, it is not this aspect of the marriage that makes it illegal. This form of marriage is illegal because it is entered with the intent to deceive- usually to deceive the US government and to get a benefit from the government from that deception.