OUR LEGAL SERVICES
The Law Office of Christine Contreras provides a vast array of immigration services in family-based immigration to assist foreign nationals to obtain lawful status in the country. These services range from assistance in obtaining legal permanent residency, obtaining citizenship or obtaining several other types of temporary or permanent legal status. Call (773)-478-0372 now and schedule a consultation.
Petitions
Adjustment of Status
Relative Petitions
Self-Petitions for victims of domestic violence under VAWA
Petitions to Remove the Conditions on Residence or waivers of the joint filing requirements
Applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Waivers/ Provisional Waiver
Motions and Appeals to USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Administrative Appeals Office and other Federal Agencies
VISAS
Immigrant Visas
Marriage Based Visas
Fiancee Visas
U Visas for Victims of Specific Crimes
Citizenship
Naturalization
Expedited Naturalization
Acquired or Derivative Citizenship
Consular Record of Birth Abroad
Obtaining US Passports
OUR STORY
The Law Office of Christine Contreras is dedicated to assisting people navigating the complex immigration laws of the United States. Preserving and maintaining family unity is a cornerstone of our beliefs at Law Office of Christine Contreras. The United States is a country built on the foundation of welcoming immigrants. We believe in the important words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty which state, ..."Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Immigrants form the core of this great nation. Our law firm welcomes you and will provide the assistance you require to explore your options for obtaining legal or lawful status.
At the Law Office of Christine Contreras, we believe that successfully addressing client needs requires compassion, empathy and honesty. We take on each case as a personal investment and fight for the best interests of our immigration clients. The Law Office of Christine Contreras strives to provide diligent legal advice and representation to our clients while assisting them in the complex immigration process. We hope you will entrust us to assist with your case.
MEET YOUR ATTORNEY
Christine Contreras
Immigration Attorney
Christine Contreras has been practicing law for over a decade and has extensive experience in matters relating to immigration law. She has dealt with many facets of immigration law including family and employment-based immigration matters, including adjustment of status, immigrant visas, U visas, VAWA petitions, naturalization and citizenship, employment-based visas, removal proceedings, appellate matters and federal court litigation.
Her current practice focuses on the area of family-based immigration matters. Ms. Contreras received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with an emphasis on political science, from DePaul University in 1997. She received a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 2000. She is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Testimonials
Latest Immigration News
US-born Children of Unlawful Immigrants: Options for the Parents
When the children of unlawful immigrants are born in the United States, the United States Constitution states that these children are citizens. This is obviously a great thing for the child, and can lead to an eventual path to legal permanent residency for the parents, though there are also special restrictions for these types of Read more about US-born Children of Unlawful Immigrants: Options for the Parents[…]
Application Processing Times: What You Can Expect for the Most Common Applications
Probably one of the questions we get more often from our clients is “how long will the government take to process my application”? Obviously, there are many different factors that can affect the processing of your application, so we do not like to tell our clients a particular time frame, because we do not want Read more about Application Processing Times: What You Can Expect for the Most Common Applications[…]
Appealing USCIS Decisions: Your Options
On occasion, despite your best efforts, your application to USCIS may be denied. When that is the case, the first thing clients want to know is what their options are for appealing the decision. There are two basic paths you can take when you find yourself in a situation like this. Appeals When you receive Read more about Appealing USCIS Decisions: Your Options[…]
Everything You Need to Know about Provisional Waivers
For immigrants present unlawfully in the United States who have a relative (a spouse or parent) who is a United States citizen or legal permanent resident , a provisional waiver can shorten the time they are separated from relatives during the application process. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for a provisional waiver, you must have Read more about Everything You Need to Know about Provisional Waivers[…]
Chicago Resources for Immigrants
As a city famous for the diversity and size of its immigrant population, Chicago has a plethora of great resources for immigrants. Here is a list of just a few of the resources you should be aware of: MUNICIPAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM In 2018, the City Clerk’s Office will begin a new program that offers identification Read more about Chicago Resources for Immigrants[…]
Preparing For Your Consular Interview Outside the U.S.
After your visa petition has been approved and you have submitted all necessary fees and documents to the National Visa Center, it is time for your consular interview. Before your interview, you will normally have to go through the following steps: 1. Undergo a medical exam. The exam should be with an embassy-approved doctor, if Read more about Preparing For Your Consular Interview Outside the U.S.[…]
Updates on the Status of the DACA Program
A lot has changed in politics this year, and yet, we find ourselves no closer to a resolution on the DACA situation.
Tips for Studying for the Citizenship Civics Test
One of the tests that you will have to take during your naturalization interview before you can get your United States citizenship is the Civics test. In many ways, this is the most difficult test you will have to take during your immigration process. With the written, spoken, and reading English tests, you are likely Read more about Tips for Studying for the Citizenship Civics Test[…]
Married to a U.S. Citizen? How to Prove Your Marriage is “Bona Fide” for purposes of Form I-751
It is the stuff romantic comedies are made of. A couple that is married just for the convenience of U.S. citizenship has to jump through hoops to prove to the government that the marriage is indeed real. Back in the real world, most marriages of an immigrant to a United States citizen are probably legitimate. Read more about Married to a U.S. Citizen? How to Prove Your Marriage is “Bona Fide” for purposes of Form I-751[…]
Filing a Proper Affidavit of Support as an Immigration Sponsor
When you are sponsoring another person to immigrate to the United States, as a part of the process you will need to fill out Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. Moving to a new country is a difficult process and requires basically starting life over again—a new residence, new job, new friends. The Affidavit of Support Read more about Filing a Proper Affidavit of Support as an Immigration Sponsor[…]