Pending U-Visa Petition with the Vermont Service Center

By Kerry Bretz | Published August 1, 2018 | Posted in U Visa | Tagged Tags: domestic violence victims, green card, u visa | Comments Off on Pending U-Visa Petition with the Vermont Service Center

A U-Visa is a non-immigrant visa that can be converted to a green card. It is for victims of certain qualifying crimes (usually violent crimes) who report it to law enforcement, cooperate if asked to, and are harmed in some way. Some examples of the violent crimes that qualify for this are felony assaults, kidnapping, Read More

Mayor de Blasio Announces Plans to Issue U and T Visa Certifications to Undocumented Immigrants

By Kerry Bretz | Published February 22, 2016 | Posted in Immigration Law, Immigration Law News, U Visa, Visas | Tagged Tags: immigrant visa, immigration law, t visa, u visa | Leave a comment

On February 9, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis announced that the NYCCHR will begin issuing visa certification for the city’s undocumented aliens, making it the only human rights agency in a major U.S. city to do so. Under Read More

OPTIONS TO CONSIDER WHILE WAITING FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ACT ON IMMIGRATION

By Kerry Bretz | Published September 15, 2014 | Posted in Adjusment of Status, Deferred Action, Deportation & Removal, Immigration Law News, Parole-in-Place, Political Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U Visa, Unlawful Presence Waiver, VAWA, Visas | Tagged Tags: asylum, deferred action, family-based immigation, green cards, immigrant visa, immigration reform, u visa, unlawful presence, VAWA, victim of crime | Leave a comment

Much to the disappointment of immigrants and immigration reform activists, President Obama recently announced a delay in the use of executive action to solve the country’s immigration issues. On June 30, he promised that he would use executive action before the end of the summer. However, during the weekend of September 5-7, he announced that Read More

U Visas: Turning Violent Crime into a Blessing in Disguise

By Kerry Bretz | Published October 14, 2013 | Posted in Visas | Tagged Tags: legal status, noncitizen, nonimmigrant, u visa, victim of crime | Leave a comment

While no one wants to be the victim of violent crime, it is becoming increasingly easier for certain immigrants to see the silver lining in an otherwise daunting experience. Specifically, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 created a special visa category for victims of violent crime. As its name implies, the Read More

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Immigration Consequences of Criminal and Fraudulent Conduct

The immigration consequences of criminal or fraudulent conduct can be harsh and often illogical. Even a very minor offense could have a dramatic immigration consequence, including deportation, detention without bond, being denied naturalization, a visa or re-entry into the United States. Likewise, the use of fake or fraudulent documents, aliases, and other misrepresentations can have similar immigration consequences. Kerry Bretz and Bretz & Coven have been counseling non-citizen criminal defendants, as well as their lawyers, for over 20 years. We have a long history of strategizing deportation and removal defenses, as well as applications for waivers, in very complicated cases.

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Our Partners

Kerry William Bretz

Senior Partner

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Eileen Collins Bretz

Managing Partner

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Jules E. Coven

In Memoriam

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Our Associates

Disha Chandiramani

Associate

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Tiffany A. Javier

Associate

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Michele Wolgel

Of Counsel

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Client Reviews

"Was trying to get Green Card since about 7 years. Finally when I switched to this law firm I was able to get green card very fast with great confidence. Big thanks to Eileen, Kerry, Manjit and Olga."- Dinesh, Kansas

""With an extensive criminal history: over 14 arrests, 2 State prison bids and several felony convictions no lawyer wanted my case in 2010. Thanks to the experts at Bretz & Coven who worked diligently and with precision, today I am a United States citizen."- E.A. Brooklyn, NY

"Absolutely one the best, if not the best immigration attorneys. They helped from start to finish in my green card process. At no point was I blind-sided by anything. Simply amazing!"- Leon B. Jersey City,

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