Immigration Services

William T. Hennessy is licensed to practice law in the states of Connecticut and New York and before immigration courts nationwide. Some areas of practice that he specializes in are:

Family Petitions:

• A  U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident may petition for certain family members to receive either a Green Card, a fiancé(e) visa or a K-3/K-4 visa based on your relationship. 

Naturalization & Legal Permanent Residency (Green Cards):

• Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills certain requirements.
• Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States.

Removal & Deportation Defense:

• If you are “undocumented,” meaning that you have no immigration status in the United States, and you are in “removal” proceedings, legal defenses are available that might make it possible for you to avoid being removed (deported).

Visas: There are a variety of visas that may allow you to live and work legally in the United States depending on your status in the country. Some examples of these visas are:

• The T Nonimmigrant Status (T visa) is a set aside for those who are or have been victims of human trafficking, protects victims of human trafficking, and allows victims to remain in the United States to assist in an investigation or prosecution of a human trafficking case.
• The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
• The V visa is a temporary visa available to spouses and minor children (unmarried, under 21) of U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPR, also known as green card holders). It allows permanent residents to achieve family unity with their spouses and children while the immigration process takes its course.

Asylum: Asylum is an immigration benefit that allows certain foreign nationals who fear persecution to remain lawfully in the U.S. indefinitely.
You must apply for asylum within one year of entering the United States. People who are granted asylum may apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card) one year after being granted asylum. The two main causes under which you can apply for asylum are:

• You are being persecuted by the government or by a group that the government is unable to control
• You are being persecuted because of your race, religion, political opinions or membership within a particular group

Cancellation of Removal Proceedings: Cancellation of removal is a form of immigration relief available to individuals who have been placed in removal proceedings before the United States Executive Office for Immigration Review.

•  A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) in removal proceedings may be eligible for cancellation of removal if he/she has…
  •  Been an LPR for five or more years; and
  •  Resided in the United States for seven or more years in any status; and
  •  Not been convicted of an aggravated felony.

• An “undocumented” person in removal proceedings may be eligible for cancellation of removal if he/she has…
  • Continuously resided in the United States for at least ten years; and
  • Been a person of good moral character throughout this time; and
  • Not committed certain crimes (speak to attorney for more detail); and
  • Established that removal would result in “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” to the person’s spouse, parent, or child who is a United States citizen or legal permanent resident.