Chicago Immigration Lawyer for Complex Immigration Matters

Selective, Experienced Immigration Representation in English and Polish

Immigration law represents approximately 10–15% of our practice at The Karlin Law Firm, LLC. We intentionally maintain a selective immigration practice, allowing us to focus our time and attention on complex immigration cases that require careful legal analysis, strategic planning, and individualized representation.

From our Chicago office, we represent individuals, families, professionals, and employers in challenging matters involving employment-based immigration, family-based immigration, permanent residence, adjustment of status, H-1B visas, PERM labor certification, complex green card applications, naturalization, and other immigration issues.

We provide immigration legal services in both English and Polish (obsługa prawna w języku polskim) and proudly serve clients throughout Chicago, Illinois, and across the United States in matters that can be handled under federal immigration law.

Attorney Patrycja R. Karlin understands the immigration process from both a professional and personal perspective. Having immigrated to the United States from Poland as a teenager, she understands that an immigration case is rarely just a collection of government forms. Immigration decisions can determine where a person is permitted to live, whether a family can remain together, and whether an employee or professional can continue building a career in the United States.

Our approach is therefore highly individualized. We evaluate not only how to obtain an immigration benefit, but also how one filing may affect a client’s immigration status and future options.

Complex Employment-Based Immigration

Employment-based immigration often involves multiple government agencies, strict deadlines, detailed documentation, and important strategic decisions that can affect a foreign national’s ability to remain and work in the United States.

We assist employers, professionals, and foreign workers with matters including:

  • H-1B extensions and H-1B transfers
  • Requests for Evidence (RFEs) involving H-1B petitions
  • PERM labor certification
  • Department of Labor PERM audits and requests for information
  • I-140 immigrant petitions for foreign workers
  • Employment-based adjustment of status (Form I-485)
  • Employer ability-to-pay issues
  • Successor-in-interest and corporate restructuring issues
  • Employment-based green card processing
  • EB-2 and EB-3 immigration
  • Consular processing
  • Immigration planning for employees transitioning between nonimmigrant and immigrant status
  • L1 visas and other business visas (E5, E2)

Employment immigration cases frequently involve more than filing a single petition. We work with employers and foreign nationals to evaluate the entire immigration strategy, including maintaining lawful status, timing future filings, responding to government inquiries, and planning for permanent residence.

PERM Labor Certification and Employment-Based Green Cards

For many foreign workers, obtaining permanent residence through employment begins with the PERM labor certification process administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

PERM cases require careful compliance with recruitment requirements, prevailing wage rules, filing deadlines, and employer documentation. After PERM certification, the process may continue with an I-140 immigrant petition and, when an immigrant visa number becomes available, adjustment of status or consular processing.

Our firm assists employers and employees throughout this process and with complications that may arise along the way.

H-1B Extensions and H-1B Transfers

The H-1B program allows qualifying U.S. employers to employ foreign professionals in specialty occupations. These cases can become particularly complicated when there are questions involving the beneficiary’s immigration status, specialty occupation requirements, employer qualifications, changes in employment, previous H-1B status, or dependent family members.

We assist with H-1B transfers, Requests for Evidence, extensions, change-of-employer filings, and related immigration planning.

Family-Based Immigration and Green Cards

Family immigration cases can appear straightforward but may become complicated because of prior immigration history, unlawful presence, previous marriages, criminal history, prior permanent resident status, or questions concerning the qualifying family relationship.

We assist clients with matters including:

  • Marriage-based green cards
  • Petitions for parents of U.S. citizens
  • Petitions for spouses and other qualifying relatives
  • Form I-130 family petitions
  • Adjustment of status
  • Consular processing
  • Removal of conditions on permanent residence
  • Complex family-based immigration histories
  • Prior immigration violations or previous permanent resident status

Before filing, we examine the client’s complete immigration history to identify potential problems that could affect eligibility.

Green Cards, Naturalization and Citizenship

Applying for permanent residence or U.S. citizenship can require much more than completing an application.

Prior arrests or convictions, extended travel outside the United States, previous immigration applications, tax issues, questions concerning good moral character, or inconsistencies in an immigration history can create serious complications.

We evaluate these issues before filing whenever possible and help clients determine whether proceeding with an application is appropriate.

Immigration Services in Polish – Polski Adwokat Imigracyjny w Chicago

The Karlin Law Firm provides immigration representation in Polish and English.

For Polish-speaking clients, being able to discuss complicated immigration issues in their native language can make an already difficult process considerably easier. We explain immigration requirements, documentation, potential problems, and available strategies directly and clearly.

Oferujemy pomoc prawną w sprawach imigracyjnych w języku polskim i angielskim.

Frequently Asked Immigration Questions

Can my U.S. citizen son or daughter petition for my green card?

A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old may generally file an immigrant petition for a qualifying parent. However, approval of an I-130 petition does not automatically mean that the parent is eligible to obtain permanent residence inside the United States.

The parent’s manner of entry, immigration history, prior departures, unlawful presence, criminal history, and other factors may affect whether adjustment of status or consular processing is available. We evaluate those issues before determining the appropriate filing strategy.

Can an employer sponsor me for a green card?

Potentially. Many employers sponsor foreign workers for permanent residence through the employment-based immigration process.

Depending on the position and immigration category, the process may involve PERM labor certification, an I-140 immigrant petition, and adjustment of status or immigrant visa processing. A foreign worker’s existing immigration status and history can also significantly affect the process.

Because employment-based immigration can take several years, planning early is important.

What is the difference between permanent residence and U.S. citizenship?

A lawful permanent resident—commonly called a green card holder—has authorization to live and work permanently in the United States but remains a citizen of another country.

Naturalization is the legal process through which an eligible lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. Eligibility can depend on the length of permanent residence, physical presence, continuous residence, good moral character, English and civics requirements, and other factors.

Naturalization applications should be evaluated carefully when the applicant has a complicated criminal, immigration, or travel history.

What happens if USCIS sends me a Request for Evidence?

A Request for Evidence (RFE) means USCIS has determined that additional information or documentation is needed before it can decide an application or petition.

An RFE should be taken seriously. The response must address the specific concerns raised by USCIS and be submitted by the stated deadline. In complex immigration matters, an RFE may involve extensive legal analysis and supporting documentation.

We assist individuals and employers in preparing comprehensive responses to USCIS Requests for Evidence.

Complex Immigration Problems Require Careful Planning

Immigration cases are often interconnected. A decision made today concerning an H-1B petition, adjustment of status application, international trip, employment change, or family petition can affect immigration options years later.

For that reason, our approach is not simply to complete immigration forms. We examine the client’s immigration history, current status, long-term objectives, and potential risks before developing a strategy.

Speak With a Chicago Immigration Attorney

If you are facing a complex immigration matter, The Karlin Law Firm, LLC can evaluate your circumstances and help you understand your available options.

We provide immigration representation in English and Polish for individuals, families, professionals, and employers in Chicago and throughout the United States where permitted by federal immigration law.

Contact us today, 773-661-9106 or pr.karlinlawfirm@gmail.com, for a confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights and options or via our inquiry form on our website