Seattle Immigration Services & Practice Areas
Find the right path forward for your immigration case — with a Seattle law firm that has spent 20+ years focused exclusively on this work.
Which Immigration Service Do You Need?
Immigration law is complex, and the right path forward isn't always obvious. You may be researching marriage green cards when you actually need an I-601A waiver. You may be wondering about asylum when you qualify for a U visa. Or you may simply not know where to start.
At L.I.H. Law, we focus on eight core practice areas where our 20+ years of exclusive immigration experience makes the biggest difference. Below, you'll find a short overview of each — what it's for, who it's commonly used by, and a link to the full page if you want to dig deeper.
If your situation doesn't fit neatly into one category, that's normal. Most cases don't — and you don't have to figure it out alone.
Start With a Quick Screening Call
One quick call with our office and we'll tell you honestly whether your case is something we handle — or point you toward someone better suited if it isn't. If it is, the next step is a 30-minute consultation with Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan — a clear, honest read on your options, by phone or secure WhatsApp video, in English or Spanish.
Schedule Your Consultation with Attorney Lesley Irizarry-HouganOur Eight Core Immigration Practice Areas
Family-Based Immigration
Bringing your spouse, children, parents, or siblings to the U.S. — or helping family members already here adjust their status. We handle straightforward cases and complex ones with backlogs, prior denials, or difficult immigration histories.
Common cases Petitioning a spouse abroad · Sponsoring parents or siblings · Adjustment of status (Form I-485) · Consular processing through embassies abroad
Learn more about family-based immigration →Marriage Cases
Marriage-based green cards for couples who are already married — including same-sex couples, military families, international couples, and second marriages. We specialize in cases that face extra USCIS scrutiny.
Common cases I-130 / I-485 petitions · Conditional residence and removal of conditions (I-751) · Quick engagements or significant age differences · Marriages with prior immigration violations
Learn more about marriage green cards →Citizenship & Naturalization
Becoming a U.S. citizen — including 5-year naturalizations, 3-year marriage-based naturalizations, and applications complicated by long travel histories, asylum-based green cards, or prior denials.
Common cases Standard N-400 applications · Interview preparation · Second opinions on previously denied cases
Preparing for the civics test? Try our free USCIS civics practice quiz.
Learn more about citizenship →U Visa (Victims of Crime)
Legal protection for crime victims who have helped — or are willing to help — law enforcement. Includes survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other qualifying crimes.
Common cases Law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B) · Bona fide determination for early work authorization · Derivative status for family · Green card after 3 years of U status
Learn more about U visas →K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
Bringing a foreign fiancé(e) to the U.S. so you can marry on American soil within 90 days of their arrival. We handle online relationships, cross-cultural couples, and cases that draw extra consular scrutiny.
Common cases Form I-129F petitions · Embassy interview preparation · K-2 visas for the fiancé(e)'s children · Post-arrival adjustment of status (I-485)
Learn more about K-1 visas →VAWA (Domestic Violence)
Confidential self-petitions for survivors of abuse by a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse, parent, or adult child. You can apply on your own — without your abuser knowing or participating. VAWA protects survivors of all genders.
Common cases Form I-360 self-petitions · Cases where leaving the abuser feels legally impossible · Work authorization · Path to a green card without your abuser's involvement
Learn more about VAWA →Immigration Waivers
Overcoming inadmissibility — past visa overstays, unlawful presence, prior deportations, or certain criminal issues — so you can move forward with a green card or other immigration benefit.
Common cases I-601A provisional unlawful presence waivers · I-601 waivers of inadmissibility · I-212 permission to reapply after deportation · Extreme hardship cases
Learn more about waivers →DACA
Renewals, work authorization, and advance parole for individuals who came to the U.S. as children. We help current DACA recipients maintain their status and explore long-term options as the program's future continues to shift.
Common cases DACA renewals · Work permit (EAD) applications · Advance parole travel documents · Evaluating eligibility for other relief alongside DACA
Learn more about DACA →What We Don't Handle
To help you find the right fit quickly, here's what we don't do: employment-based visas, student or tourist visas, immigration to countries other than the United States, and detention or removal proceedings. If your situation falls outside our practice areas, our team can usually tell you over the phone in a few minutes — and point you toward someone better suited to help.
Why Families Choose L.I.H. Law
20+ Years of Immigration Experience
Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan has practiced immigration law exclusively since 2005 — not as one of many practice areas, but as her entire career.
Fully Bilingual Team
Our entire staff is fluent in Spanish — not just the receptionist. Se habla español from your first call to your final approval.
Rooted in the Community
Pro bono work with NWIRP, citizenship clinics with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and longtime partnerships with Casa Latina and Lake City Collective.
Don't take our word for it — read our 100+ five-star client reviews →
Helpful Immigration Resources
Immigration Law FAQ
47 real client questions answered — timelines, costs, eligibility, and what to expect at every stage.
Browse the FAQ →Free Civics Test Practice
Preparing for naturalization? Practice all 128 USCIS civics questions with our free interactive quiz.
Take the practice quiz →Client Reviews
Stories from families we've helped with green cards, citizenship, visas, and more — in their own words.
Read client reviews →Immigration Blog
News and plain-language updates on USCIS policy changes that affect Seattle-area immigrant families.
Visit the blog →Talk to a Seattle Immigration Lawyer Today
Whether you know exactly which service you need or you're still figuring it out, it starts with a quick screening call with our office — and if your case is one we handle, a consultation with Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. In English or Spanish.