Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer in California? 2025

In 2025, changes in policy and executive orders have increased the difficulty of navigating the U.S. immigration system. Recent administrations have brought extensive policy shifts into play, with many having a direct impact on the lives of immigrants and their loved ones. With increased enforcement along the U.S./Mexico border, stricter eligibility for work permits, and other changes, it’s crucial to know the answer to the question: why hire an immigration lawyer in California?

A Brief Overview of Key 2025 Policy Changes and Their Impact

As of January 2025, several executive orders have been recently implemented that have significantly changed the enforcement of immigration laws. The following imperative changes are laid out, including how they could impact immigrants in California:

1. Threats to Sanctuary JurisdictionsThe Trump administration threatens to revoke federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions—which are counties and cities that minimize cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The state of California itself has many such jurisdictions, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. These policy changes pressure local governments to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, potentially increasing the risk of deportation for immigrants located there.
2. 287(g) Program ExpansionsUnder the 287(g) program, an encouragement of collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is established. With the Trump administration directing the Department of Homeland Security to expand these arrangements, critics fear that this could lead to unlawful detentions and racial profiling.
3. Work Permit RestrictionsGovernment agencies have made moves to restrict immigrants who do not have a legal immigration status from renewing or obtaining work permits. This applies even if they have an immigration application pending. Work permit restrictions could block immigration applicants across the spectrum, including green card applicants and asylum seekers alike, from obtaining meaningful employment opportunities.
4. Required Registration and FingerprintingThe new administration has required that all non-citizens appear to register and provide their fingerprints under a provision of U.S. law that had rarely been enforced until recently. Individuals who fail to comply could risk facing criminal penalties, putting people in precarious immigration situations at a heightened risk of prosecution and arrest.
5. Expedited Removal ExpansionUnder expedited removal, U.S. officials are able to detain and deport certain individuals without giving them full due process. Under new Trump guidelines, expedited removal has been expanded to include anyone who is suspected of entering the U.S. without inspection and who has been in the country for less than a certain amount of time. In such cases, the burden of proof falls on immigrants to demonstrate length of stay.

The Urgency of Having an Experienced California Immigration Lawyer on Your Side

The compassionate and detail-oriented legal team at U.S. Law Center understands the far-reaching damage that these new policies cause to individuals in communities across California. During this challenging time, we are here to provide you with crucial documentation, prepare evidence, and defend you against any unlawful removal actions.

Together, we can help you understand your rights and obligations, protect you from unnecessary prosecutions, and help meet new requirements—protecting your rights and interests and reaching your immigration goals.

FAQs

Do I Really Need an Immigration Lawyer?

Whether you really need an immigration lawyer is dependent on the specific details of your case, such as if you have an existing knowledge and awareness of complex and evolving rules and regulations. A detail-oriented immigration attorney can help ensure you avoid making mistakes that could cost you time and money, evading potential denials by helping you submit a strongly prepared application. Furthermore, they can support you with crucial legal advice.

How Can an Immigration Lawyer Help With My Case?

An immigration lawyer can help support your case by providing a myriad of immigration Services, including deportation defense, support with visa or green card applications, and assistance with navigating the naturalization process to obtain U.S. citizenship. Furthermore, they can help apply for asylum or refugee status, as well as pursue other humanitarian-based immigration options.

Overall, they can optimize your immigration processes while ensuring your rights are protected along the way.

Can a Lawyer Speed Up My Immigration Process?

While an immigration lawyer cannot directly speed up your immigration process by interfering with government processing times, they can help you avoid unnecessary delays in advance by submitting a strong application with supporting evidence. Furthermore, they can help you look into potential case expediting strategies, such as filing for an emergency request or priority processing—if this is an option for your case.

What Are the Risks of Not Hiring an Immigration Lawyer?

The risks of not hiring an immigration lawyer who is right for your case include making mistakes that could lead to an application denial for you or your loved one. You could also face significant unnecessary delays or even charges for violation of immigration law and removal from the country. Furthermore, by failing to work with an attorney who can help inform you of your rights and options, you could miss out on certain release options or immigration benefits.

Can a Lawyer Help Me During Deportation Proceedings?

An attorney can support you during deportation proceedings by mounting a robust defense on your behalf. Furthermore, they can help you look into options for relief like applying for asylum, cancellation of removal, or an adjustment of status. In the immigration court, they can advocate fiercely on your behalf, bringing forward strong arguments and supporting evidence that defend your interests and right to stay.

Receive Crucial Support and Advocacy From a Skilled Immigration Lawyer

As 2025 makes its way forward and policies of the Trump administration are carried out, the rights and interests of immigrants—and therefore our entire community—continue to be threatened and breached.

With this in mind, it is crucial now more than ever to have an empathetic and knowledgeable immigration attorney on your side who can help you defend your rights and interests, employing optimal legal strategies to challenge any immigration issues that may come your way. Contact us now to learn more.