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GROOMER IMMIGRATION LAW: YOUR TRUSTED ATTORNEY

Working to Protect Your Rights

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Our Team Members

Darwin E. Groomer

Immigration Attorney

I graduated from the University School of Law in 2001.  I spent nine years with the Missouri State Public Defender's Office, and in 2010, I entered private practice.  Over the years, I have represented clients in many areas of the law, but I now specialize in immigration law and criminal defense. I am bilingual in Spanish.

Anabell Groomer

Legal  Assistant

I am Mr. Groomer’s legal assistant, who is responsible for assisting him with all of our immigration cases.  As a Spanish speaker, I also help him with all of our Hispanic clients, who are not able to speak English.  I was born in Honduras, but after Mr. Groomer got married, I moved to the United States.  I am now a naturalized U.S. Citizen.

Heather Washburn

Legal Assistant

I am Mr. Groomer's  Legal Assistant that works with client’s to complete case work specific to Criminal, Domestic and Civil Cases.  I have been with Groomer Law Firm since 2012, and have over 10 years of office management, administrative and customer service experience.  I use all of my administrative skills in this career to help others with all their case needs. I find great enjoyment in my job and feel that there is no greater feeling than the satisfactory feeling of helping other people in their time of need.

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Practices Areas

Immigration Law

Petitions: Family/Spouse/Fiance

Naturalization/Citizenship/Adjustments

Permanent Residency (Green Card)

Adjustment of Status

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Visas: Nonimmigrant / Immigrant

U-Visa/VAWA/Family Unity

Conditional Residency

Deferred Action

Consular Process/Hardship Waivers of Inadmissibility

Permission to Re-enter After Deportation

Humanitarian Parole

Deportation/Removal/Bond

ICE Representation/TPS

Immigration Court Representation

USCIS Motions to Appeal

Deportation Proceedings

ICE Representation

Immigration Court / Bond Hearings

Cancellation of Removal

Stay of Deportation / Removal           

Prosecutorial Discretion

Board of Immigration Appeals

VAWA Cancellation of Removal

If you have questions please call or come and see me at our office in Monett, MO

Phone: 417-235-7834

darwin@groomerlawfirm.com

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

417-235-7834
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Lawful Permanent Residence

The most important step towards fulfilling this dream is to work for Permanent Residence.  This can be accomplished in several ways, but it most commonly takes place through a Family-Based Petition.  Only U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for family members, and then only certain types of relatives are eligible.  Depending upon which country the family member is from and the type of relative filing the petition, the time necessary to finally receive Lawful Permanent Residence may vary.
Additionally, if the person for whom the application is being filed is living in the United States, after having entered without a visa or other type of lawful admission, that person may need to file for a waiver to “waive” his or her non-lawful presence in the United States.  There are many things that could be present in the relative’s past that may require different document filings to make him or her eligible for Lawful Permanent Residence. 
As stated above, there are several other ways to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence.  It is crucial to discuss the person’s case and whether or not he or she qualifies for Permanent Residence with an experienced immigration attorney.

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Citizenship/Naturalization

Citizenship in the United States is a dream for millions of people around the world.  It is the ultimate goal for people who enter into the immigration process.  However, as the immigration laws are currently written, the naturalization process can be long, complicated and very frustrating. 
With a few exceptions, an individual must achieve permanent residence before they can become an American Citizen.  Once permanent residence is accomplished, the person must wait at least three years to apply for citizenship, if they are married to a U.S. Citizen, or at least five years, if they wish to apply without considering the status of their spouse.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen has many advantages.  It becomes much easier to apply for permanent residence for family members, but there are all of the obvious benefits.  A U.S. Citizen can vote in elections.  It becomes easier for them to travel overseas, and more financial opportunities are available for college tuition assistance.  Of course, a U.S. Citizen can also run for public office. However, another benefit is that a U.S. Citizen cannot be deported.  They no longer have to worry about immigration.
Since the citizenship can be overwhelming, it is important for the person to hire an immigration lawyer, who will try to help them obtain citizenship.

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Fiance Visa

As was true in my particular case, I fell in love with a girl from Honduras and got married in her country, before she actually resided in the United States.  Even if we had become engaged to marry and desired to marry in the United States, I could have filed for a fiancé visa, or a Conditional Permanent Residence for my fiance.  Then, I could have applied for her Lawful Permanent Residence after she had arrived in the United States. 
In the case of marrying outside of the United States, a person can still file the same type of visa to get their new spouse into the U.S. before Lawful Permanent Residence.  They can adjust the spouse’s status to Permanent Resident status from Conditional Permanent Resident status.
If someone files a fiance visa for their future spouse, with the intention of marrying after arrival in the United States, they are required to marry within a specific time period after arrival, usually within 90 days.

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DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

In 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals law was passed, which now allows children, who came to the United States as children, before they were sixteen years of age and before June, 2012, to now apply for DACA which prevents them from being deported for unlawful presence in the United States. 
DACA does have certain requirements for applicants, but most children are eligible for this program.  With an approved DACA application, the person will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and will be able to get driver’s license and social security card.

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Work Permit

 The work permit (Employment Authorization Document) is a way for undocumented people to legally work and remain in the United States.  However, for someone to apply for the work permit, there must be a legal basis or a certain type of application pending with immigration.  People with residence, pending asylum, pending cancellation of removal, or someone with DACA, with a supervision order, with TPS, or with U-Visa approval can petition for a work permit.  This can open doors to an undocumented person. With a work permit, the person can get a driver’s license, a social security number and can work in the United States, without fear of immigration or from their employer.  However, each person’s case is different and depends on their unique set of circumstances.  It is always best to consult with an immigration attorney before pursuing a work permit.

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NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

There are many who wish to come to the United States, but who do not want to reside here.  They may simply want to visit a family member or come to the U.S. for an emergency issue.

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Tourist Visa

A person can apply for a Tourist Visa at the U.S. Embassy in their respective country.  If the person can prove to the Embassy that they have definite ties to their country and do not intend to remain in the United States permanently, they could be granted a Tourist Visa, which is granted for a particular period of time.

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Student Visa

If a person desires to come to the United States to study in a college or university, they will normally have to apply for a student visa, which remains in effect for as long as the person remains in school as a student.

Humanitarian Visa

If a person is a able to prove a legitimate emergency, which requires them to enter the United States, they may be eligible for a humanitarian visa.  This usually involves a medical or other type of health-related matter, which can only be addressed in the United States.  However, there are other situations, in which the United States government will allow entry into the U.S. for a specified period of time. 
It is always advisable to discuss your particular situation with an immigration attorney, so that they can help you understand your options.

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PROBLEMS WITH IMMIGRATION WHILE IN THE UNITED STATES

Unless someone is a U.S. Citizen, immigration law directly affects that person, and all along the way, there is a variety of problems someone could have while trying to become a naturalized citizen.

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Deportation

Unless a person is a U.S. Citizen, there is always the possibility that they could face deportation.  Even a Lawful Permanent Resident can lose their legal status in the United States, if they commit certain crimes.  But, if someone is in the United States without lawful status, deportation is always a frightening possibility.
Deportation (otherwise known as “removal proceedings”) is when a person is removed or exiled from the United States for not complying with American law.  Once the person is deported, they have to wait a certain period of time before they are allowed to return to the United States.  Of course, the person can apply for a Waiver of Inadmissibility, which can help them return to the U.S. earlier, if it is granted.
There are many reasons a person is deported, but the most common reason is the commission of some type of crime.  It is usually very frightening for someone when they are faced with the possibility of being forced to leave the United States.  When this type of situation arises, the person should always hire an immigration lawyer to help them through the deportation process and to hopefully keep them from getting removed from the United States.

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Cancellation of Removal

When an individual is in removal proceedings, the Immigration Judge will usually ask if the person is going to seek for any type of relief, thereby allowing them to delay the deportation process or to get out of deportation completely.
If the person has been in the United States for at least ten years and has no criminal history, they may be eligible for cancellation of removal, which would allow them to achieve lawful permanent residence, if cancellation of removal is granted.  Also, while waiting for the cancellation of removal to be heard by the Immigration Court, the individual is able to apply for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document).

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Political Asylum / Convention Against Torture

In some cases, if an individual is able to prove a legitimate fear of returning to their native country, they may be eligible for Political Asylum.  However, the person has only one year to apply for Asylum, after their arrival in the United States.
If the person has been in the U.S. for over one year, they may be eligible for protection by the Convention Against Torture (CAT) provisions, if they are able to prove that they would be targeted and persecuted due to a specific social class the person belongs to. 
As is true with Cancellation of Removal, an applicant for Asylum or CAT protection is usually able to apply for a work permit, while the case is being processed.

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Appeals for Denial, Motion to Reconsider, Motion to Re-open

If a person loses their deportation case, there is usually the option to have the Court review the case and possibly change its ruling, or for the Board of Immigration Appeals to hear an appeal. A Motion to Reconsider is usually filed when the person thinks an error of law or of fact has been made by the Board in a previous ruling.  A Motion to Re-open is filed when the person desires to present new evidence or new facts.

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Contact Us

Learn more about our renowned and respected legal services. Contact us today to see how our expertise can help protect your rights and ensure your well-being.
"The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisement"

206 E Broadway St
Monett, Barry County 65708
USA

4172357834

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