Serving immigrant families in Southern California with expertise and compassion since 1996.

We at the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala provide a complete range of immigration services to a diverse group of individuals and families throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Our office is guided by the principle that each legal matter calls for individual attention. Every case is important in this office because we know that our efforts could affect the future of many individuals and their families in the United States. What distinguishes us from other immigration law firms in California is our understanding of the immigrant experience and our professional approach to legal problems. In every situation, we seek to identify our client's primary eligibility for relief, document his or her eligibility and implement our best efforts in the most efficient, effective manner possible. The goal of our office is to be current with immigration laws and policies in order to give each client the best representation possible. For further information about the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala, please contact us today.

We at the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala provide a complete range of immigration services, from the most basic non-immigrant visa, to complex deportation defense and federal court litigation. Our bilingual staff and attorneys, who are all fluent in English and Spanish, enhance our immigration practice. On March 1, 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service became part of the United States Department of Homeland Security and its functions were divided into various bureaus of that department. Now more than ever, we understand the immigration process to be confusing, time-consuming, and frustrating. The following is a partial list of the immigration services that we provide to clients:

• Asylum
• Battered spouse petitions (VAWA)
• Consular processing
• Deportation/Removal defense
• Employment-based cases
• Family based visas
• Federal court litigation
• Immigrant visas
• Habeas corpus relief
• Immigration appeals
• Motions to Reopen
• Naturalization
• Non-immigrant visas
• Waivers of inadmissibility

Since September 30, 1996 and the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 (“IIRAIRA”), the rights of aliens in the United States have been severely curtailed on account of past criminal conduct. What was previously a crime that did not cause immigration consequences can now trigger deportation proceedings against an alien. Many lawful resident aliens have been affected by these changes in the deportability statutes and the United States Department of Homeland Security (formerly “INS”) is aggressively enforcing the deportation of such aliens. We at the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala seek to find solutions to a client’s deportability or inadmissibility by staying attuned to new laws and regulations in addition to federal court decisions affecting immigrants. Whenever possible we at the Law Office of Cobos & Ayala seek post-conviction remedies to create affirmative defenses from deportation/removal or to allow aliens to qualify for deportation/removal discretionary waivers. We at the Law Office of Cobos & Ayala have represented individuals seeking the following remedies in California Courts:

• Sealing of juvenile record
• Discretionary and mandatory expungements pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the California Penal Code
• 17(b)(3) motions to reduce felony offenses to misdemeanors
• Motions to vacate

Despite the existence of criminal convictions, some aliens are eligible for discretionary relief from deportation/removal before an Immigration Judge. These hearings are conducted before and Immigration Judge and prosecuting attorneys representing the Department of Homeland Security. The ultimate result of a court hearing determines whether or not the alien should remain in the United States. We at the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala represent numerous resident aliens in the following discretionary applications: 212(c), Cancellation of Removal, 212(h) waivers in conjunction with applications for admission to the United States, for aliens convicted of the following offenses:

• Crimes of violence
• Domestic abuse
• Drug offenses
• Firearms offenses
• Moral Turpitude Offenses
• Property crimes
• Theft crimes

Deportation Defense Lawyers in California

The prospect of deportation can be extremely frightening for individuals who have resided in the United States for many years whether as lawful permanent residents or long term non-residents. The possibility of leaving family, their homes and community can leave an individual in a very difficult position. read more...

Asylum, VAWA, U Visa

Individuals come to the United States to seek refuge from the persecution they face in their native country. People all over the world face persecution based on their religion, race, political affiliation, nationality, health, gender, sexuality and other factors. When these individuals come to the United States temporarily, they may be eligible for asylum, which would allow them to stay here. read more...

Appeals

At the Law Offices of Cobos & Ayala, we fight hard for those seeking to gain permanent residency in the United States and fight hard for those that face losing their lawful permanent resident status. We represent individuals in appeals before the Department of Homeland Security, Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. read more...

Family-Based Immigration

Families separated by borders face difficulties unknown to many people. In many cases, one member of a family moves to the United States to seek opportunity. That person may intend to bring his or her family to live in the U.S. one day. However, this can be a difficult and complicated endeavor without the help of an immigration attorney. read more...