CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the health risks posed by the Corona Virus tragedy, our office is following the directives of the governor of California in order to minimize the risks to our staff, our clients and our community. Our office will continue to operate fully, as it has thus far, observing our normal schedule, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We will continue to schedule appointments to meet with clients and will do this via ZOOM or Telephone only.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with any of our lawyers or staff members, please do so by calling our office at 619-291-1112. You can also contact us via e-mail at [email protected]janbejar.com

Thank you for your understanding.

AVISO DE CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19

Debido a los riesgos para la salud planteados por la tragedia del Virus Corona, nuestra oficina está siguiendo las directivas del gobernador de California para minimizar los riesgos para nuestro personal, nuestros clientes y nuestra comunidad. Nuestra oficina seguirá funcionando a pleno, como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, cumpliendo con nuestro horario habitual, de lunes a viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m. Continuaremos programando citas para reunirnos con los clientes y lo haremos solo a través de ZOOM o por teléfono.

Si desea programar una cita con alguno de nuestros abogados o miembros del personal, hágalo llamando a nuestra oficina al 619-291-1112. También puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a [email protected]

Gracias por su comprensión.

Resolving Immigration ProblemsIn An Honest & Responsible Manner

How might a green card limit your right to travel?

If you have recently acquired a green card, it’s important to remember that it does not give you the same right to travel as gaining United States citizenship will as you don’t get a U.S. passport. In fact, it can restrict your right to travel.

A green card is the popular name for what is technically known as permanent residency. The immigration authorities give you it because they think you intend to live here permanently. So, if you act like you are not living here permanently, they may decide to take it away again.

There is no hard and fast rule stating how often or for how long you can leave the country and still retain your green card, but there are several things the authorities can consider.

Are you paying your taxes here?

This is a big one. U.S. residents pay their taxes in the U.S., even if they can get a more favorable rate elsewhere. It’s seen as your contribution to the cost of running a country and providing the infrastructure you will use here such as roads and schools. If the IRS discovers you are not declaring your taxes here, they may pass on the information to the immigration authorities.

Are you living here most of the time?

There may be a valid reason you need to travel to another country for a prolonged period — for example, if your elderly parent falls ill and you need to go and care for them. While that is allowed, just how long it is allowed for is not clear. Consider taking legal advice if you have doubts, rather than risk jeopardizing your status. Alternatively, you may want to pursue naturalization and gain citizenship, which will leave you free to travel as much as you want.

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We are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

For our clients’ convenience we offer English and Spanish speaking services.