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Immigration Lawyer
Chicago

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The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program started in 2012. This law offers undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children an opportunity to remain in the country. DACA also offers qualifying individuals many additional benefits.

While this program can be beneficial to many individuals, navigating the immigration system can be a challenge without a skilled attorney. If you believe that you qualify under this program and have questions about applying, you should consult with a Chicago DACA lawyer.

Immigrants Who Qualify for DACA

The goal of DACA is to offer individuals who arrived in the country before turning 16 years old a chance to stay in the United States. These immigrants fall into this category partly because they did not choose to immigrate, and America might be the only home they have ever known. To receive the protections from DACA, an individual must:

•Have lived in the United States since January 1st, 2010
•Have been under 31 years old on June 15th, 2012
•Remained physically in the United States from June 15th, 2012, until the point in time when they submitted their application
•Had no legal status on the date the law went into effect or at the point when they applied
•Have a GED, high school diploma, honorable discharge from the military, or currently enrolled in school
•Have no previous felony convictions or significant misdemeanors are their records
•Not have three or more lesser misdemeanors on the record
•Not pose threats to national security or public safety

Hundreds and thousands of individuals in the United States currently benefit from DACA protections. Anyone who believes they qualify for the program should speak to a lawyer in Chicago.

What Protections DACA Offers

While DACA is not a pathway to legal citizenship in the United States, individuals who qualify for this program can become legal residents. The program, therefore, offers many benefits that can allow them to live normal lives in this country.

DACA status means a person can work, receive employment benefits, pursue higher education, apply for credit cards and open bank accounts, receive health insurance benefits, obtain a driver’s license, and otherwise participate in their community. For many young immigrants, this law also presents the ability to feel secure in the United States.

Because of the requirements of the program, it can be challenging to complete a successful application and understand all of the obligations related to DACA status. Speaking to a Chicago attorney may offer eligible immigrants valuable information about completing the DACA application process.

Losing DACA Status

Individuals in the United States benefiting from DACA must continue to apply for this program every two years. Individuals who qualify for these protections can lose DACA status and become deportable if they engage in illegal activities.

If a DACA recipient commits a felony, including any criminal events that lead to a punishment of imprisonment for greater than one year, they lose their ability to benefit from the program. Significant misdemeanors can also prevent a person from enjoying DACA protections. These offenses include sexual abuse, domestic violence, unlawful possession of or use of a firearm, burglary, drug sales, driving under the influence, and other misdemeanors that result in a jail term greater than 90 days.

If an individual commits three or more non-significant misdemeanors, this may risk losing DACA status. Anyone concerned about losing their DACA status should speak to a Chicago immigration lawyer.

Why Hire a DACA Lawyer

Getting a Chicago immigration attorney specializing in DACA benefits you for these reasons:

•Expert and Sound Guidance: An experienced immigration lawyer keeps you guided and updated about DACA eligibility requirements, processes, and changes in immigration law. They also give personalized advice based on the nature of your case.
•Accurate Application: They can help you accurately complete and file your DACA application to avoid errors and minimize delays.
•Documentation Assistance: Immigration lawyers can assist you in preparing documents for your DACA application, such as proof of residency and identity.
•Legal Representation: Your lawyer will represent your case, even in removal proceedings.
•Support for Renewal: The lawyer will assist you in renewing your DACA status to protect you from deportation.
•Peace of Mind: DACA lawyers can give you peace of mind, knowing that a qualified lawyer will manage your application and address any issues.

The immigration services of a DACA lawyer are unparalleled in times like these. Beyond maintaining your immigration status, they can simplify the complicated immigration processes for your understanding as you apply for DACA.

Contact a Chicago DACA Attorney

The DACA program can provide significant benefits to qualifying individuals. For many immigrants, this program is vital to their ability to obtain higher education or gainful employment. With so much at stake, it is important that you understand your obligations, rights, and eligibility for this program. If you are applying for this program and are concerned about the application process or any challenges you may face, you should consult with a Chicago DACA lawyer or a St. Louis immigration lawyer at Hacking Immigration Law, LLC.

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Navigating the maze of U.S. immigration law can be tricky for anybody, especially if English is your second language or you have unique circumstances motivating you to move here. Fortunately, if you are unsure about any areas of immigration or the naturalization process, help through an immigration lawyer (Chicago) is available at the Hacking Immigration Law LLC.

Retaining one of our dedicated Washington DC immigration lawyers could help you both with USCIS and other U.S. immigration authorities. To find out how immigration attorneys could help you with your specific case, call us today to schedule a consultation.
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What They Say About Us

Our Lawyers Have Received Over 500 Google Reviews

Sriram Devanathan

im is a great attorney who always has his human side “ON”. The clients come first to him. When approached for time sensitive issues, he was readily available and was prompt. I have had to reach out to him for myself & have recommended him to others. He always welcomed everyone and gave patient hearing. And he would not mind recommending other attorneys’ if he feels that they would better serve that particular case. Even if it means one less client for him. That sums up who Jim is. Thank you Jim!

Justin Charboneau

Jim and his team are extremely knowledgeable individuals. It is great to have someone like this on your side. I have and will continue to recommend Hacking Law Practice, LLC to anyone who needs legal advice on immigration issues.

Bouchra Aanouz

This firm was amazing helping me with my husband’s case. Jim and his team were very responsive to all my questions and concerns. i wish I had consulted them earlier as my husband’s case was stuck in Administrative Processing for over a year and a half. Two months after I gave my case to Jim, my husband was granted his visa. Would definitely recommend them and already have recommended them to my friends.

Express Auto service center L. profile picture
Express Auto service center L.
2 months ago
review from my personal experience:
-hard to get in touch with a legal rep after signing the contract, then they kept telling me the case was postponed/rescheduled when actually i received dismissal letters from the court.
from the beginning, i felt they avoided to answer the question about the outcome and they know that there is a pause on processing immigration cases . so basically nothing cant be done at the moment until the trump admin changes the law.. they advised me to file the proceed with writ of mandamus!!!!!!!!!!!!!, which is worthless/useless.
-i felt , they were 100% dishonest. predatory business practice. they try to capitalize on people immigration situation caused by the trump administration as much as they can. they wont give the you the honest/truthful legal advise. they just lure you in just to sign the agreement and secure/guarantee the collection of the payment.
Pete A profile picture
Pete A
4 months ago
Hacking was very helpful in our adjustment of status case. They gave us insightful information and helped us with the paperwork process. They were polite and quick to respond.
nadeen B. profile picture
nadeen B.
6 months ago
Jim is extremely knowledgeable. I watch his podcast whenever I can because he provides clear, insightful information. I’m grateful to be working with him and his team, his understanding of immigration law is truly exceptional.
Jeffrey L. profile picture
Jeffrey L.
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience with Hacking Law Practice for my I‑130 immigration petition. They handled my case efficiently and got my application approved promptly.

A special shout‑out to Felipe Vargas, who worked closely with me throughout the process — his communication was always prompt, professional, and clear. He made sure I understood every step and kept me updated at all times.

I’m very grateful for their support and highly recommend Hacking Law Practice to anyone seeking reliable and responsive immigration representation.
SOFA profile picture
SOFA
9 months ago
Hacking Immigration Law did an absolutely excellent job in helping us process our I-130 and I-485 applications with the USCIS. The quality of their work was so outstanding that the USCIS officer actually commended the firm on how meticulously the forms were prepared, noting the completeness and abundance of supporting evidence. Thanks to this thorough preparation, we were approved on the spot, which was an immense relief. Our green card was approved within 5 months from the time of submission.

Throughout the entire process, there were moments when we felt anxious or fearful, but Amany was consistently available and ready to address all of our questions and concerns. More than just answering, she provided invaluable advice and reassurance, which made a huge difference.

We always felt that the firm treated us not just as clients, but truly like family. We knew we could reach out anytime we had questions or concerns, and the accessibility and warmth of the team were remarkable.

For anyone out there considering starting the immigration process, we strongly and wholeheartedly advise you to utilize the services of Hacking Immigration Law Practice—you absolutely will not regret it. We also found their YouTube channel incredibly helpful; the content was informative and instrumental in helping us prepare for the interview.

In summary, Hacking Immigration Law Practice sets you up for success in the complex immigration process by ensuring you are thoroughly over-prepared. Thank you HIL!

- Funke & Anthony
maria N. profile picture
maria N.
11 months ago
Dear fellow immigrants. Never try to submit your immigration applications by your self. Please DON'T. Not even your friends or relatives who have leaved in this country more than you. Yes, they may seem or appear to know the system. In most cases they will convince you that they will help you get the applications done and submitted. Guess what, that's not their line of profession. Chances are high they will make mistakes. And once that happens, they will abandon you. After raising your hopes, wasting your time and money to zero progress.

With immigration applications, time is of the essence.

My advice to you, DON'T play the super man by doing it yourself. Chances are high you can end up crashing like a plane that just took off.

After trying to play the super man, waiting and waiting for years to get our children here to no progress, my husband and I made the best decision. We contacted Jim Hacking for help. Jim Hacking took on our case, with in two weeks was children's I-130 were approved. Eleven months later our children received their visa interview dates. Two months after that we were reunited with our family.

During this entire process, Jim Hacking gave us updates every step of the way. They were very informative and very professional. This was such a relief to our family

Jim Hacking reunited our family. We thank you so much.
Princess J. profile picture
Princess J.
1 year ago
Thank you for all your advice and work. Your attention to details and knowledge about all things current and past is remarkable. I will continue to follow up until the very end. Never change please. I never worked with a law firm with such a huge humanitarian heart. I am a bit embarrassed about my current case but your little gems are seeing me through. BLESS UP!
Clarence profile picture
Clarence
1 year ago
Gives great insight on immigration. I'm in process of i130 for my wife in brazil.seems like if you try legal way it takes forever but if you come here and overstay you get to stay and is faster. Anyway go to them if you need help.
Issam B. profile picture
Issam B.
1 year ago
The best lawyer in America..
May Allah give him and his family and team all the wishes that good for them..

Through my experience in America, it became clear to me that a lawyer is the most difficult person you can deal with, and sometimes your legal problem that you resort to a lawyer to help you solve may be less complicated than solving your problem with your lawyer. However, with this decent and humble person as a human being and professional in his work as a lawyer, I can almost assure you that he is the best.
Tom J profile picture
Tom J
1 year ago
Dear Mr Jim
I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with your office. I initially reached out after watching your YouTube content, where I found your insights helpful. Based on your recommendation, I submitted an email and later received a call from your office, which connected me with an attorney. I appreciated the initial communication and the opportunity to discuss my situation.

However, after waiting for about a week for a decision, I followed up and was informed that your office would not be able to take my case. Unfortunately, I was not given a clear reason for this decision. While I understand that not every case can be accepted, I feel that it would have been more helpful to receive a prompt and transparent response from the beginning. This delay left me with limited time to seek alternative options, which was a frustrating experience.

I respect the work you do and the valuable information you provide online, but I wanted to share this feedback in the hopes that it helps improve the client experience. Clear and timely communication can make a big difference for those seeking assistance.

Thank you for your time, and I appreciate your consideration of this feedback.
Mohanad Q. profile picture
Mohanad Q.
1 year ago
I had an amazing experience with Hacking Law Immigration LLC. I was facing a long delay with my green card application, and their team helped me file a writ of mandamus case. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, my case was successful, and I finally received my green card! I’m incredibly grateful to the entire team for their hard work, clear communication, and commitment throughout the process. I highly recommend Hacking Law Immigration LLC to anyone dealing with immigration challenges. Thank you once again for your outstanding efforts!
Joseph M. profile picture
Joseph M.
1 year ago
The Hacking immigration law firm, the best by a mile I’m not really a client of the law firm but a very good listener of the daily YouTube show and I must say I like how Mr Jim handles and encourages all viewers and listeners about positivity. This man a one the entire team are all geniuses.
BARAKA B. profile picture
BARAKA B.
1 year ago
He is not only a lawyer, but a wise man who will advise you as a father! 🙌🏽
F S. profile picture
F S.
1 year ago
Amazing and professional service. I worked with them on a few cases to speed up processing times at the immigrant office in the US.They did great work! I recommend them to everyone! Don't waste time; choose the Hacking Law Team and win! :) Good luck to you guys! And thank you! 🙏
Huseyin O. profile picture
Huseyin O.
2 years ago
I can’t thank Jim and everybody at Hacking Immigration Law enough for helping me with my wife’s immigration process.
I originally filed myself and submitted everything USCIS requested but our case stalled for 2 years and a couple months until I consulted with hacking immigration and had a good case for a Writ of Mandamus. We filed the lawsuit and within 2 weeks we finally got the email that our case has been moved to the National Visa Center. Unfortunately we did have to wait another 8 months for our interview to be scheduled by the Consulate in Ankara because apparently they had a back log from covid… still. Anyway before we got the interview, I consulted with hacking immigration again after 6 months of waiting for our interview. Jim called me personally to hear me out and tell me what the outcome would be if we tried to file another lawsuit so I really appreciated his honesty because he showed he really cares about his clients. Then 2 months later my wife and I get her Interview date and now she is finally home here with me!
Thank you Jim and everybody at Hacking Immigration Law!
Raiyan F. profile picture
Raiyan F.
2 years ago
Five stars are simply not enough for Jim, my attorney Casey, and my paralegal Yuliana at Hacking Immigration Law. After having a less-than-ideal experience with a previous immigration lawyer, I received an RFE (Request for Evidence) from USCIS, which left me feeling uncertain and stressed about my case. That's when I decided to switch to Hacking Immigration Law, and it was the best decision I could have made.

The team immediately jumped into action. Their professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail were incredible. In less than 72 hours after submitting my RFE response, both my I-130 and I-485 were approved, and I am now a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

I can't recommend them highly enough. If you want a team that truly cares about your case and delivers results, look no further than Hacking Immigration Law. Thank you again, Jim, Casey, and Yuliana, for helping me achieve this dream!
Isis Abud C. profile picture
Isis Abud C.
2 years ago
I would give 10 stars if I could. I can’t thank Jim Hacking and his team enough! Especially Josefina who actively helped me during my case. I had a case stuck over 7 years and after hiring them, it got resolved. Thank you for your efficient service. Forever grateful!

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Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers

The attorneys at the Hacking Immigration Law are dedicated to helping the foreign-born people of St. Louis to live and work in the United States. This dedication is reflected in the kind and grateful words of the clients they have helped. Read what others have to say about the hard work that the Hacking Immigration Law has done to help those in St. Louis.

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Why should I hire immigration lawyers instead of handling my case alone?

Immigration law is complex, and even small mistakes can lead to delays or denials. Our immigration lawyers have extensive experience navigating USCIS policies and procedures, advocating for clients in immigration courts, and filing lawsuits when necessary. Hiring a lawyer ensures that your case is handled professionally, increasing your chances of success.
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How can I schedule a consultation with your firm?

You can schedule a consultation by visiting our website and filling out our contact form. You can also call one of our office locations directly. We offer personalized consultations to discuss your case and determine the best legal strategy.
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What makes Hacking Immigration Law different from other law firms?

We focus exclusively on immigration law and have a strong track record of success. We have helped over 5,000 families and received more than 500 five-star Google reviews. Our team is dedicated to fighting for our clients' rights and ensuring their immigration process moves forward.
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Do I need to live in St. Louis to hire your firm?

Even though we are based in St. Louis, we also have offices in San Diego and Washington, D.C., and we help people across the U.S. with immigration matters.
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What types of immigration cases does Hacking Immigration Law handle?

We handle a variety of immigration cases, including green card renewals, citizenship, deportation, family-based visas, asylum, employment visas, and lawsuits for immigration delays. Our goal is to help individuals and families navigate the immigration system successfully.
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