Los Angeles LGBTQ Lawyers

Can Gay People Qualify for Immigration Benefits?

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For years, the LGBTQ immigrant population has faced persecution, denial of rights, and more. At Best Immigration Lawyer in LA, we stand with the global LGBTQ community. We are dedicated to standing up for your immigration rights.

Since the United States Supreme Court overturned DOMA, same-sex partners are officially recognized in the same manner as opposite-sex partners in the eyes of USCIS. Additionally, if you are escaping persecution due to your sexual preference or identity, you may be eligible for asylum.

With this information in mind, if you’re an LGBTQ immigrant in Los Angeles, now is the time to assert your rights. Whether you want to marry the love of your life or seek a safe haven in the U.S., we can help. Our lawyers at Best Immigration lawyers are sensitive to your concerns, compassionate, and dedicated to protecting your rights as an LGBTQ immigrant.

Immigration Issues Facing the LGBTQ Community in LA

The LGBTQ immigrant community in LA faces several obstacles and barriers when they seek to immigrate to the U.S. Fortunately, most same-sex marriage immigration concerns have been alleviated. However, there are still many other significant issues facing lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning immigrants. These include the following:

Persecution

There are well over 1 million immigrants in the U.S. who identify as LGBTQ. Many immigrants have come to the U.S. to escape persecution due to their sexual orientation or identity. In that case, LGBTQ individuals fleeing their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution may qualify for asylum.

Underserved

Members of the LGBTQ immigrant community in LA are often underserved. Nationwide, nearly 22.7% are undocumented—Additionally, more than 59,000 undocumented LGBTQ immigrant adults live in California. At Best Immigration Lawyer, we’re here to serve you and advocate for your right to live in the U.S.

Uncertainty

Currently, one of the most significant administrative issues facing the LGBTQ immigrant community is uncertainty. That’s because U.S. immigration laws can quickly change and affect millions of people. It’s essential to take advantage of the laws, rights, and protections under the current administration.

LGBTQ Immigration Services Offered

At Best Immigration Lawyer in LA, our attorneys are sensitive to the unique issues you face. In addition to the general immigration services we offer, we also provide LGBTQ specific services such as:

• LGBTQ Asylum Seeking
• LGBTQ Withholding of Removal Petitions
• LGBTQ Same-Sex Marriage visas between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals
• LGBTQ K-1 Fiancé visas
• LGBTQ Family-based visas

Contact the Best Lawyer for LGBTQ immigration in LA today to learn more about how we can help.

Can I Sponsor My Same-Sex Spouse on a Visa?

Generally, yes. Same-sex couples have the same benefits and rights as opposite-sex couples. However, LGBTQ individuals may face a few more hurdles when petitioning for a foreign same-sex spouse. They include but are not limited to:

1. It can be more challenging to prove a relationship with your spouse’s family.
2. You may not have sufficient proof of employment or lease documents due to discrimination in the foreign-born spouse’s home country.
3. If you or your spouse had verifiable past heterosexual relationships, it could make it more challenging to prove to immigration that the marriage is legitimate.
4. Some gay and lesbian couples chose to unite with a civil union in circumstances where same-sex marriage is not legal. Those in this category don’t qualify for a spousal visa.

In many cases, working with an experienced immigration lawyer in Los Angeles can help you to overcome many of the obstacles and barriers that LGBTQ immigrants often face. Contact a Los Angeles immigration attorney to discuss the details of your case.