Expert Guidance from Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan
Get clear answers about citizenship, green cards, asylum, VAWA, and family immigration from Seattle attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. Latest USCIS policy updates, step-by-step guides, Know Your Rights resources, and immigration news in English and Spanish. 20+ years of experience helping Seattle's immigrant community.
Seattle Immigration Law Updates & Resources
Essential Immigration Resources
Know Your Rights:
A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE
Master
the 2025 USCIS Civics Test
Cómo Verificar el Estatus de una Solicitud o Caso de Inmigración Pendiente
When can I expect an interview in connection with my immigration application?
Whether there is an interview first depends on what type of application you filed. Not all application types require an interview, and sometimes decisions are made on the application without an interview. The most common types of applications that regularly require interview are marriage or family-based green card applications and U.S citizenship applications…
Appealing to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Busy and exciting day at L.I.H. Law! Kristin Kyrka orally argued in front of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for one of our clients.
What is a U Visa? What is the Eligibility for a U Visa?
The U.S. has provided an incentive for immigrants to not be afraid of calling the police to report crime. The incentive is that if you or your family members have been a victim of a certain crime and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible to receive a U visa. The U visa will give you and immediate family members (unmarried children under 21 or spouse) U visa status for four years, and you can apply for your permanent residency (green card) after three years of having U visa status.
Asylum: What happens when you have fear of returning to your country?
A large part of our practice at L.I.H. Law is dedicated to helping those who have fear of returning to their home country on account of some form of harm, threats, or persecution they faced or may face in the future. The U.S. offers a form of protection for people such as this—it is called asylum. If you are eligible for asylum you may be permitted to remain in the United States.
What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
Immigration reform has been a hotly debated political topic for years now. It seemed inevitable just a couple of years ago that immigration reform would happen, granting new alternatives for people living in the U.S. without proper status. Although immigration reform may eventually happen, (see article) the Obama administration has offered short-term relief to certain people who arrived to the U.S. under the age of 16.
This program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), began on August 15, 2012. While it does not offer permanent lawful status, it does grant a two-year work permit.
Avoid immigration / notario fraud
Many of our clients and many people in the Seattle area and throughout the U.S. have been victims of immigration fraud. A person must be a licensed attorney, admitted to a state bar in the U.S. in order to help you with immigration matters. The most common cases of fraud include a “notario” posing as an immigration expert or attorney and taking money to help you complete your immigration paperwork, or an immigration attorney taking payment and then never completing the work.