Case Victories

Our client, a citizen of India, is a Computational Biologist and on H-1B. His employer was not willing to file his PERM Labor Certification and I-140 in order to allow him to file H-1B extensions beyond the statutory 6-year limit. Attorney Furqan filed his National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition arguing that his research in breast cancer will help to improve U.S. health. USCIS approved the I-140 and he was able to use that I-140 to file H-1B extensions with his current employer.

Our client, a Syrian national, was approved for asylum by the Houston Asylum Office. Although he had spent a majority of his life in the UAE, Attorney Furqan argued that he could not have “firmly resettled” in the UAE since there is no concept of permanent legal residency or naturalization there, and therefore, he still qualified for asylum. The Houston Asylum Office approved his case based on the grounds that he feared persecution by the Syrian government. The Syrian government considered him a threat because he had provided medical supplies to demonstrators.

Our client failed to file an H-4 extension with her husband’s H-1B extension, and was therefore out of status for over 3 months. When she realized it, rather than return back to her home country for visa stamping, she decided to file an H-4 extension, even though it was considered untimely as her H-4 I-94 was expired. Attorney Furqan argued in his Nunc Pro Tunc motion that the client was eligible for the benefit sought prior to her status expiring, that she had not otherwise violated the terms of her status, and she remained a bona fide non-immigrant.

Our client, an IT consulting and promotional company, filed an H-1B for an IT professional. USCIS approved the I-129, but the U.S. Consulate in Karachi denied the issuance of the H-1B visa, claiming that specialty occupation work was not available, and that the signatures on the forms were not authentic. The case was sent back to USCIS, and the employer was given another opportunity to overcome the consulate’s decision. Attorney Furqan prepared a response to USCIS, and they revalidated the I-129. The case was sent back to the U.S. Consulate in Karachi for another H-1B interview.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, hired Attorney Furqan Sunny Azhar and applied for an E-2 visa based on a $250,000 investment into a trucking company. The E-2 was approved, and after having invested $250,000 more, Attorney Furqan filed his EB-5 petition. After 18 months, USCIS issued an RFE as they had concerns about whether the employees were 1099 or W-2, and after having responded to the RFE, USCIS approved the case

Our client, a citizen of Ethiopia, belonged to an ethnic group that was targeted by the ruling government of Ethiopia. The government used a tax fraud case as a pretext in order to persecute our client on account of her ethnicity and imputed political opinion. Our client fled and came to the U.S. as a visitor. She applied for asylum and was denied by the Houston Asylum Office. Attorney Furqan was hired, and at the final individual merits hearing, the immigration judge agreed to approve the case.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, entered the U.S. on a B-2 visitor visa. He decided he wanted to buy a convenience store, and apply for an E-2 visa. He purchased the convenience store for $160,000, put the money in escrow, and was able to prove that the investment would also create 3 more jobs, in addition to the existing employees of the enterprise. USCIS approved the case and our client was granted an E-2 for 2 years.

Our client had entered the U.S. on H-1B status, but he was terminated by his employer, who had failed to pay him his H-1B wages. Our client had trouble filing an H-1B transfer without recent pay stubs, and because he had specialized knowledge in specific programming languages, his field of expertise left him with only a few job opportunities. Attorney Furqan filed an EAD request for him, by arguing that he met the threshold of “compelling circumstances,” and USCIS approved the case.

Our client was in M-1 status, but fell out of status and was detained. Attorney Furqan filed a request for bond so the client was able to bond out of ICE’s custody. He then married a U.S. citizen, and she filed an I-130 petition for him. The I-130 was approved by USCIS, but the government attorney did not want to terminate the court case because they were concerned that our client’s failure to pay his school tuition reflected that he was not willing to take responsibility. At the final hearing, Attorney Furqan was able to illicit testimony from his client and his client’s wife that supported the position that the client was a responsible person and deserving of permanent residency. The immigration judge agreed and granted his application for permanent residency.

Our client was born in the Bahamas and came to the U.S. as a dependent of his father. After his father fell out of status, our client was issued a Notice to Appear (“NTA”) before an immigration judge. He married a U.S. citizen and the I-130 was approved, but USCIS sat on the case for years before making a decision. After FBI interviews and home site investigations, Attorney Furqan was finally able to convince USCIS to approve the adjustment of status application, after a 6-year wait.

Our client married his first cousin and filed an I-130 for her. While I-130’s based on first cousin marriages are generally not approved by USCIS, they are approved in cases in which the petitioner and beneficiary intend to live in a state that allows first cousin marriage. Our client lived in such a state, but USCIS still denied the petition because they did not believe that the petitioner had enough ties to the state. Attorney Furqan appealed the decision to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), and the AAO reversed the decision of USCIS, allowing the petitioner to complete immigrant visa processing for his spouse.

Our client, a citizen of Iraq, came to the U.S. on a visit visa. He was of Palestinian descent, and was persecuted by the Shia majority community because of his religious beliefs, and because of his Palestinian nationality. Attorney Furqan filed his asylum application, and after completing two asylum interviews, 4 years apart, the Houston Asylum Office ultimately approved the case.

Our client, a citizen of Jordan, entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa. He fell out of status and was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). Attorney Furqan filed a request for bond and so the client was able to bond out of ICE’s custody. He then married a U.S. citizen and she filed an I-130 petition for him. The immigration judge was unwilling to delay the court case until the outcome of the I-130, and he held a hearing to determine if the marriage was legitimate. Attorney Furqan represented his clients at the hearing, but the immigration judge was unconvinced about the legitimacy of the marriage, so he ordered the client removed. Attorney Furqan appealed the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”), and the BIA reversed the immigration judge’s decision. The BIA stated that there was sufficient evidence to support the fact that the marriage was legitimate, and therefore the immigration judge should continue the court proceedings until the I-130 is decided upon by USCIS.

Attorney Furqan filed an O-1 visa for an exceptionally talented biomedical optics scientist. He argued that the scientist had sustained international acclaim and recognition for his achievements in the fields of biophysics involving the extensive use of fluorescence based laser spectroscopy, optical microscopy ultrafast laser spectroscopy, and microscopy, in conjunction with extensive and profound research in the field of molecular biology. USCIS approved the case without issuing an RFE.

Our client, a citizen of India, had sponsored her father, who was in India. He was denied the immigrant visa, though, because the last time he was in the US, he was found to have worked without authorization and misrepresented information in order to get a visit visa. Attorney Furqan filed an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility for him by arguing that his wife, who was a permanent resident in the US, had a significant medical condition that required his presence in the U.S., and his absence from the U.S. therefore resulted in extreme hardship to her. USCIS accepted these arguments and approved the waiver of inadmissibility.

Our client filed an I-140 for one of his employees who graduated with an AS degree from a school in Pakistan and a BS degree from a different school in Pakistan. USCIS issued an RFE requesting evidence that the beneficiary had obtained the equivalent of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from a single source. Attorney Furqan sent evidence to USCIS that both degrees were obtained from affiliated schools and therefore the degree qualified as a single source degree. USCIS approved the I-140 after having received the RFE response.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, had an approved ETA 9089 PERM application. When it came time to file the I-140, it was revealed that the employer’s net income on their tax returns was below the proffered wage. Attorney Furqan then obtained evidence of the employer’s bank balance for the last 12 months, and successfully argued that this was credible evidence of liquid assets that could help to prove the ability to pay the proffered wage. The I-140 was then ultimately approved.

Our clients, citizens of Nepal, had overstayed their status in the U.S. 15 years ago. Attorney Noaman represented their employer and completed an EB-2 PERM and Attorney Furqan obtained an approval on the I-140. The wife was 245(i) eligible based on a 4th preference sibling petition, so both of them were able to file for adjustment of status, despite their visa overstay.

Our client, a citizen of Nigeria, was a permanent resident and was convicted of offenses that the government believed made him removable from the U.S. Attorney Furqan challenged the client’s removal from the U.S., but after hearing arguments from both sides, the immigration judge still ordered the client removed. Attorney Furqan appealed the immigration judge’s decision and the Board of Immigration Appeals reversed the immigration judge’s decision and sent it back to the lower court for reconsideration. Meanwhile, the DHS attorney agreed to terminate the client’s case, in light of the new 5th Circuit case law regarding assault.

Our client, a citizen of Mexico, received a Notice of Intent to Deny (“NOID”) on his I-140. USCIS stated that the position of a “Management Analyst” normally requires the attainment of a bachelor’s degree (professional occupation), and our client did not have a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Attorney Furqan argued that according to the OOH, not all Management Analysts require a bachelor’s degree. Further, the employer completed the additional recruitment requirements for a professional occupation. USCIS ultimately approved the case.

We filed an EB-2 I-140 for our client, a Nepali national, based on his MS in Civil Engineering. USCIS sent an RFE asking the employer to prove that he was licensed to practice as a Civil Engineer, despite not having a Professional Engineer (“PE”) license. Attorney Furqan argued that the position of Civil Engineer does not require the passage of the PE exam, and that it only requires the passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering (“FE”) exam. Since our client had passed this exam, he was considered a licensed Engineer in Training (“EIT”), and as an EIT, he was qualified to be a Civil Engineer. USCIS ultimately approved the I-140 on this basis.

Our client, an Indian national, was offered a tenure track position at a university as a Professor of Computer Science. He had numerous publications and several citations. He had also done journal publication review and had 2 patents. USCIS approved the EB-1B I-140 petition and later the green card applications of him and his wife.

Our client, a Palestinian national and resident of Jordan, came to the U.S. as a foreign medical graduate seeking a medical residency. He was subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residency requirement. Attorney Furqan was hired to file a J-1 waiver for him, and he argued that Palestinian nationals in Jordan were denied basic rights such as the right to obtain certain jobs, earn money, or obtain health insurance. USCIS approved the J-1 waiver and our client was allowed to change his status from J-1 to H-1B, and later seek permanent residency.

Our client, a citizen of Syria, was over 70 years old. She applied for U.S. citizenship and attempted to have the English language requirement waived based on a medical disability, but USCIS did not accept her N-648 medical waiver. Attorney Furqan was then hired and re-filed her naturalization application with a new N-648 from a new Psychiatrist that detailed her Dementia and inability to learn English. USCIS approved the new N-648 and allowed the client to naturalize. She was then able to get a U.S. passport and travel to perform Haaj, a religious pilgrimage.

Our client, a citizen of Egypt, came to the U.S. as a foreign medical graduate seeking a medical residency. He was subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residency requirement. Attorney Furqan was hired to file a J-1 waiver for him, and he argued that the requisite level of hardship existed for the waiver because he was a Coptic Christian in a country that discriminates against religious minorities, and because his U.S. citizen children were young and had medical conditions. USCIS approved the J-1 waiver and client was allowed to change his status from J-1 to H-1B, and later seek permanent residency.

Our client, a citizen of Mexico, entered the U.S. (without inspection) as a child in 1984. She had been in the U.S. since that time. Her deceased father filed an I-130 for her in 1992. She married a U.S. citizen, but waited 10 years before hiring an attorney to file for permanent residency. Attorney Furqan filed her permanent residency application in 2000 and provided evidence of her 245(i) eligibility, along with evidence of her presence in the U.S.. After an interview, USCIS approved our client’s application for permanent residency. At the age of 38, our client was finally able to come out of the shadows, and obtain a social security number, driver’s license, and employment.

Our client, a citizen of India, fell out of F-1 status, so he left the U.S. and then re-entered using an F-1 visa, after his SEVIS was reactivated. When he applied for OPT, USCIS denied the application and stated that he was not in status upon his re-entry. Attorney Furqan was then hired and he filed an I-290B appeal. USCIS agreed with Attorney Furqan’s arguments, approved the case, and sent the client his OPT card.

Our client, an Albanian national, had entered the U.S. in 2001 as a refugee. Shortly after his arrival in the U.S., he was convicted for the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. He applied for U.S. citizenship when he was eligible, and was denied U.S. citizenship because he was removable from the U.S. He was then placed in removal proceedings. Client came to Azhar & Azhar Law Firm, and Attorney Furqan filed an I-130 through his U.S. citizen wife, and a 42-A application for Cancellation of Removal. Attorney Furqan then approached the Chief Counsel’s office to consider terminating the case, in light of the several positive equities present, and they agreed to terminate his removal case so that our client could re-apply for U.S. citizenship. Attorney Furqan then re-filed the client’s citizenship application, and USCIS approved it.

Our client is a U.S. technology company working in the field of financial services domain. They developed several patented products and they required the services of a Software Solutions Architect to help implement the technology that they had developed. USCIS issued a Request for Evidence “RFE” and Attorney Furqan worked with the employer to help overcome USCIS’s concerns about the qualifications of the beneficiary. The case was ultimately approved after USCIS received the RFE response.

Our client, a citizen of Nepal, was placed in removal proceedings after her father was charged with marriage fraud and her status was terminated based on the termination of her father’s status. Our client sought relief in the form of a 237(a)(1)(H) waiver, and an I-589 asylum application. The immigration judge denied the applications, but through cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Attorney Furqan was able to terminate our client’s court case, so that they could become a permanent resident in front of USCIS, through a U.S. citizen spouse.

Our client, a citizen of India, had entered the U.S. on a B-2 visa in the 1980’s. Shortly after entering the U.S., he changed his status to an F-1 student, then left to Canada to get an F-1 visa. His visa was denied, but upon his return to the border, the immigration officer waived him in. USCIS was unwilling to approved our client’s case for a green card based on having been waived in, but Attorney Furqan suggested that his client travel abroad on his advanced parole travel document that he obtained through his I-485 application. Upon his return, USCIS approved his I-485 application for permanent residency based on the BIA precedent in Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly.

Our client, a citizen of Canada, had been one of the top rodeo athletes in Canada before pursuing his professional rodeo career in the United States in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Despite just recently beginning his professional athletic career, Attorney Noaman was able to prove that our client was already one of the top Team Ropers in the world. Attorney Noaman focused the strength of our client’s accomplishments on his recent Intercollegiate National Championship, top 50 world ranking, and national rodeo publications that highlight his current success and immense potential. He was able to continue to compete professionally for the next 3 years with the hopes of winning a world championship.

Our client, a citizen of Canada, is a professional bareback rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Attorney Noaman initially filed an application to qualify our client as an alien of outstanding ability (O-1) in the athletics which was approved. After competing for 2 years on an O-1 visa, our client sought the assistance again of Attorney Noaman, but this time to secure his permanent residency. Attorney Noaman argued that our client was perennially ranked within the top of the world for the last several years and had multiple national accomplishments and magazine features in several national rodeo publications, including on the cover of Pro Rodeo News. Upon receiving his green card he continued to compete professionally with the expectation of winning a world championship in the future.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, had entered the U.S. in the 1980’s as a student. His status eventually expired. He then married someone without legal status, and they had 3 U.S. citizen children. Our client hired a non-attorney from California to file his I-589 application, which was denied by USCIS, and then denied in court. Our client then hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm to appeal the case. Meanwhile, his U.S. citizen daughter turned 21, so we filed I-130’s for him and his wife. Those were approved, so Attorney Furqan came to an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to terminate his client’s case, allowing client and his wife to get permanent residency through USCIS. With his new green card, client was finally able to visit his elderly mother in Pakistan, whom he had not seen in over 30 years.

Our client, an IT consulting company, had hired a law firm to file a cap subject H-1B for one of their prospective employees. The application was for a consulting position, and USCIS denied it because of the contents of the end client letter. On appeal, Attorney Furqan drafted a new client letter that was signed and dated by the client, and which was submitted on appeal. USCIS reversed their decision and approved the I-290B.

Our client, a citizen of India, had no relief other than to file a request for “Deferred Action” before USCIS. Attorney Furqan submitted evidence of her charitable works, her degrees, continued employment, and her good moral character. USCIS approved the request for 2 years.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, had filed 4 sibling petitions in 2010. All 4 of them were denied by USCIS. Attorney Furqan was hired to file an I-290B on all 4 applications, and USCIS reversed the denials based on the new evidence and arguments. Client was able to save 5 years of wait time, by reviving the four I-130’s.

Client had come to the U.S. as a child on a valid visit visa but overstayed his status. He was arrested and placed in removal proceedings, but he was also married to a U.S. citizen. With an approved I-130, Attorney Furqan filed his application for adjustment of status with the immigration court. He presented evidence of the hardship his wife and children would face if client were deported. Even though client had a criminal record, including aggravated assault, the judge granted the I-212(h) waiver and client was able to adjust status to a lawful permanent resident. Eventually, we filed his I-751 which was also approved.

Our clients, citizens of Iran, are husband and wife. They always travel together, and while they were permanent residents, they took a trip of 182 days. When they applied for U.S. citizenship, USCIS denied their applications arguing that they had broken the continuity of their residence. Attorney Furqan was hired to file N-336 appeals on both applications. He argued that the regulations do not list a specific number of days that would break the continuity of residence, but instead they make reference to “6 months” and that 6 months could include all the way up to 185 days, depending on the time of year. Based on these arguments, and the evidence presented, USCIS reversed both cases and they were able to become U.S. citizens.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, entered the U.S. illegally by crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. He had been arrested for various petty offenses, and was placed in removal proceedings where he ultimately received a removal order. He was then arrested and detained. Client’s wife had a pending I-485 application with a visa available, but USCIS had not yet approved the case. Attorney Furqan was able to get the wife’s I-485 approved, and since she was eligible to adjust under 245(i), that same eligibility was transferred to her husband. Attorney Furqan was able to come to an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reopen the husband’s case and terminate it, so that he could become a permanent resident through USCIS, which is what ultimately happened.

Client hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm to respond to an I-140 RFE. Attorney Furqan helped client respond to this RFE and client was able to adjust through 245(i). Client’s spouse, however, was unable to adjust with her as he had an outstanding order of removal. Attorney Furqan filed a joint Motion to Reopen and Dismiss in order to allow client’s spouse to file his I-485 application with USCIS. The motion was granted, and client’s spouse was able to file an I-485 green card application with USCIS. He ultimately became a permanent resident too.

Our client, a citizen of Eritrea, was a former member of the Eritrean military. After having left the military, he formed a musical group that produced songs that were critical of the Eritrean government. The government then arrested him, and after he was able to flee the country, they arrested his wife. He then hired Attorney Furqan and filed for asylum. After the interview, the Houston Asylum Office approved his case.

Client, a citizen of Albania, entered the U.S. in the late 90’s as a refugee. He then became a permanent resident, but only months after having obtained his permanent residency, he was convicted for the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (UCW). Ten years later he applied for U.S. citizenship and was denied as having been deportable from the U.S. He hired Attorney Furqan who filed a new I-130 for him, since he was married to a U.S. citizen and had 2 U.S. citizen children. The I-130 was approved, and a 42-A application was also filed with USCIS, so that our client could seek Cancellation of Removal for Permanent Residents. Attorney Furqan then convinced the government attorney’s office that based on the numerous positive factors in this case, and the likelihood of success in court, they might consider withdrawing their prosecution and allow our client to re-file his citizenship application. The government attorney’s office agreed to withdraw their prosecution of the case, and our client was free to re-file his citizenship application with USCIS.

Our client, a citizen of Iraq, had worked as a translator for the U.S. military. After his asylum case was denied in Sweden, he was sent back to Iraq. Once the situation in Iraq deteriorated again, he was afraid that the Shia extremist groups that ran Iran would learn of his previous employment with the U.S. military, and therefore try and kill him as a reprisal. After he was able to secure a visit visa to the US, a bomb exploded outside his house, and he felt no choice but to file asylum. Attorney Furqan filed his asylum application, and USCIS approved it.

Our client, a citizen of Liberia, had entered the U.S. on a B-2 visit visa. Prior to entering the U.S., she had been a victim of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Attorney Furqan filed her I-589 asylum claim. While her asylum case was pending, DHS designated Liberia as a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) country based on the threat of the Ebola virus. One week before client’s final trial, her TPS application was approved. Attorney Furqan and the DHS attorney then agreed to administratively close her case, and the judge also agreed to do so.

Our client, a citizen of India, was a permanent resident. He was arrested for DWI and Attempted Cocaine Possession and was convicted of both crimes. Though the controlled substance offense rendered him removable from the U.S., Attorney Furqan was able to secure his U.S. citizenship.

Azhar & Azhar Law Firm secured the approval of an I-140 petition in the EB-1A category (alien of extraordinary ability) for a cricket player from Nepal who competes professionally in the U.S. The applicant captained the Nepal Under-19 national cricket team, had several match winning performances, including centuries, in many national level tournaments, competed internationally on behalf of Nepal, and has already been regarded as one of the best players on the U.S. national cricket circuit. After two rounds of RFE’s, including merit based and procedural issues regarding how professional cricket is viewed in the U.S., attorney Noaman was ultimately able to overcome USCIS’s concerns and earn the I-140 petition approval for our client. Our client could now apply for U.S. permanent residency and train and compete with the hope of being selected to play on the U.S. national cricket team.

Attorney Noaman secured the approval of an O-1 visa as an alien of outstanding ability in the field of athletics for a professional bull rider from New South Wales, Australia. Our client has been competing professionally in the field of bull riding since 2005. He was previously an Australian rookie bull riding champion, an Australian bull riding champion (the top bull rider in all of Australia), and has enjoyed a top 50 world ranking since competing professionally in the United States. Our client has been featured in several national rodeo magazines in the United States and his home country of Australia. With his approved status, he was given the opportunity to compete professionally in the U.S. for the next 3 years with the goal of winning a world championship in the field of bull riding.

Our client, a citizen of India, arrived in the U.S. in 1991 as a visitor. His employer filed an I-140 for him in 2007, but it was denied by USCIS, so he was referred to immigration court proceedings. Our client hired Attorney Furqan to represent him in deportation proceedings. Attorney Furqan convinced the government attorney and judge to administratively close his case until client’s U.S. citizen daughter turned 21. When his daughter turned 21, Attorney Furqan filed an I-130 for the client via the daughter, which was approved, and after 20 years in the U.S., our client was finally able to become a permanent resident when the judge granted his I-485 application.

Our client, a citizen of India, had previously filed applications to qualify himself as an alien of extraordinary ability in the athletics through another law firm. Unfortunately, those applications were denied, resulting in our client having to leave the country. Upon returning to the United States he consulted with attorney Noaman who prepared his application for an O-1 visa. Attorney Noaman argued that our client had not only met the qualification requirements based on past success in India (winning almost every major karate competition in his home country and representing his country internationally at several global karate tournaments while winning multiple gold medals), but also satisfied the requirements having had immediate success in the United States. This included winning the USA National Karate Championships and the Pan American Games while earning a bid to compete in the upcoming World Championships. The O-1 visa was approved under premium processing within 4 days. Our client continues to train in Arlington, Texas while competing on the international karate circuit.

Our client, a citizen of Mexico, had come to the U.S. when he was just 2 years old. He applied for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals through a notario, and USCIS denied it. Client hired Attorney Furqan, who re-filed the application with a detailed cover letter outlining our client’s eligibility, along with additional proof of client’s presence in the U.S. USCIS finally approved the application after an RFE, and granted the work authorization for 3 years.

Our client, a citizen of Jordan, came to the U.S. to complete a residency program as he was a foreign medical graduate. He married a U.S. citizen and then had a U.S. citizen child. Attorney Furqan filed the J-1 waiver with the U.S. State Department (DS-3035) and USCIS (I-612), and both were approved. The waivers were based on Jordan’s country conditions and the client’s financial hardship, but most importantly, the wife’s severe allergy condition and the child’s Microcephaly, a medical condition characterized by an abnormally small head.

Although USCIS had recently changed their guidelines in adjudicating O-1 visa applications, making it increasingly difficult for professional athletes to come to the United States in O-1 status, attorney Noaman secured an O-1 visa for our client, a professional karate athlete who currently trains in Irving, Texas. Attorney Noaman was able to prove that our client qualified for the O-1 as he had secured multiple Gold Medals at national and international competitions in India and internationally. He is a 5th Degree Dan Black Belt in Karate and has won several national karate competitions, as well as several Gold Medals in India. Our client could now train to compete for a Gold Medal at the USA National Karate Championships, as well as in international competitions throughout the world.

Our client, a citizen of Nepal, came to the U.S. as a visitor. He changed status to a student and then to L-1A, and finally applied for asylum. The asylum application was referred to court, and the judge granted the asylum application after Attorney Furqan and the government attorney came to an agreement on the case. The judge was initially concerned about whether our client had filed his application within 1 year of arriving in the U.S., but after hearing oral arguments from Attorney Furqan and the government attorney, the judge agreed to approve the case. An I-730 was then filed to bring client’s spouse to the U.S., and both are now permanent residents.

Client, a citizen of Nepal, had entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa and overstayed. He then filed for asylum in San Francisco, CA. Client married a U.S. citizen, and hired Attorney Furqan to file the I-130 for him, via his U.S. citizen wife. After an interview, the I-130 was approved, and ICE agreed to terminate client’s case in order to allow him to become a permanent resident through USCIS.

Our client, a citizen of Jordan, had entered the U.S. when he was just 13. He had a conviction for Simple Possession of Marijuana and a deportation order. Now 25, he was detained by immigration officials and set to be removed from the U.S. Attorney Furqan filed a Stay of Removal with the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and presented a copy of the DACA application and fees that he intended to file with USCIS. Client, who was scheduled to be removed the next day via plane, was released from detention by ICE, and the DACA application was filed. Despite multiple criminal convictions, including possession of marijuana, his DACA application was approved.

Our client, a citizen of Ethiopia, applied for asylum based on political persecution in his home country. The judge denied the case and stated that because he had traveled through other safe countries in order to get to the U.S., but never applied for asylum there, he was not eligible to file in the U.S. Attorney Furqan argued on appeal that the client was still eligible, and the BIA agreed, remanding the case to the Dallas Immigration Court.

Client, a citizen of Sudan, represented himself in deportation proceedings. He was told by the judge that he was required to file his relief application, but client failed to do so by the deadline and was therefore ordered removed from the U.S. Client hired Attorney Furqan, who then filed the appeal with the BIA. After recovering a copy of the court transcripts and file, Sunny was able to argue that the judge’s instructions were ambiguous, and the BIA agreed. The BIA vacated the removal order and ordered the judge to clarify his instructions to the client, thus affording the client a second chance to seek relief.

Our client, a citizen of Nepal, received an approved Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) petition after her husband had been found to have forced her into illicit acts and physically assaulted her. Client’s husband also defamed her on the internet, but after a 2 year wait and on-going lawsuits against the husband, USCIS finally approved her VAWA application and her green card application.

Attorney Noaman received approval on an I-601A for a Mexican national who had a wife and 5 children in the U.S. (biological and step-children). Evidence that helped the case included a mental health evaluation report from a professional psychologist, medical evidence including children’s medical problems (dyslexia, chronic respiratory illnesses), and financial hardship.

Attorney Noaman received approval on an I-601A for a Mexican national who had lived in the U.S. since 2004 and had a wife and 2 children in the U.S. Evidence that helped the case included a mental health evaluation report from a professional psychologist, medical evidence including children’s medical problems (dyslexia, chronic respiratory illnesses), and financial hardship.

Attorney Noaman Azhar received approval on an I-601A for a Mexican national who had lived in the U.S. since 1996 and had a wife and 4 children in the U.S. (biological and step-children). Evidence that helped the case included a mental health evaluation report from a professional psychologist, medical evidence including children’s medical problems (dyslexia, chronic respiratory illnesses), and financial hardship.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, married a US citizen and obtained conditional permanent residency. However, the marriage fell apart and they ended up getting a divorce. After the divorce, the U.S. citizen spouse filed for an annulment arguing that the marriage was never viable. The family court judge denied the request, and the transcripts from that hearing were included as part of our client’s I-751 application. After a taped interview at the local USCIS office, the case was approved and our client had the conditions of his permanent residency removed.

Client, a citizen of Senegal, entered the U.S. on a visit visa in the 1980’s and overstayed his status. He later applied under LULAC and took advanced parole to leave the U.S. and then re-enter. After his U.S. citizen daughter turned 21, Attorney Furqan filed his adjustment of status application under INA 245(a). USCIS delayed the application for months, but finally approved the case consistent with the BIA precedent setting case of Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly, which held that an individual who leaves the United States pursuant to a grant of advance parole does not trigger the ten-year bar for unlawful presence under INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II) for having been unlawfully present in the United States for more than one year.

Our client, a citizen of Iran, spent over 5 years in Turkey as a student, and was granted a “Resident Permit” while there. She then came to the U.S. and applied for asylum. The case was referred to the Dallas Immigration Court, and before the final hearing, Attorney Furqan was able to obtain a letter from the Turkish Embassy in the U.S. that stated that our client was not granted or offered any sort of permanent status in Turkey. Therefore, the government attorney and judge agreed to grant the asylum case and our client was able to overcome the “firm resettlement” issue found in Matter of A-G-G.

Client, a citizen of Nigeria, had entered the U.S. on a fake passport in the early 2000’s. He was able to become a permanent resident based on marriage to a U.S. citizen and the grant of an INA section 212(i) waiver. He then divorced his wife and remarried another U.S. citizen. When he applied for U.S. citizenship, the government charged him with having committed marriage fraud, and placed him in deportation proceedings. With a new I-130 approved, based on his current marriage to a U.S. citizen, the government attorney agreed to terminate his court case so that he could proceed with “re-adjustment” before USCIS. The court granted the termination order, and client’s I-485 was ultimately approved by USCIS.

Our clients, one a U.S. citizen and the other a Canadian national, had been dating for years, and were considering getting married. As the U.S. federal government had not yet recognized marriage between same-sex couples, they had initially planned to live in Canada, since Canada did recognize such a marriage. However, when the Supreme Court held that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments (including USCIS) to ensure the decision and its implications for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples were implemented. Therefore, they decided to get married here and live in the U.S., which was their preference. Attorney Furqan filed the adjustment of status application and within 3 months the beneficiary had been interviewed and approved for permanent residency.

Client, a Jordanian national, had come to the U.S. on a visit visa when he was just 16. At age 19, he married his U.S. citizen spouse. However, he could not adjust his status to permanent residence because he had been convicted of Simple Possession of Marijuana, under 30 grams, and that made him inadmissible. Therefore, he had to apply for a section 212(h) hardship waiver. The judge and government attorney considered the various hardships in their case. Attorney Furqan was able to show that the wife had ongoing medical problems, with a report from a licensed professional counselor detailing the wife’s emotional dependency on her husband. Additionally, they had 2 U.S. citizen daughters, he owned a business and employed two workers, and they had financial hardship in the form of medical bills and a mortgage. Further, the medical exam indicated that he had no substance abuse problems. Ultimately, the judge approved the case, and client, after 13 years in the U.S., finally received permanent residency.

Client was on probation for Felony Theft and Felony DWI when she was arrested for Public Intoxication. Client was released from jail on the Public Intoxication, and the District Attorney filed motions to revoke in both felony cases and issued a warrant for client’s arrest. Client was facing up to 10 years jail-time. Client hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm, hoping to get the probation extended without having to go to jail. In a single unscheduled hearing, attorney Nick Howard was able to get client discharged from probation on both of the former cases and substantially reduced outstanding court fees. Client served no jail time.

Our client, a citizen of Ethiopia, was granted asylum in the U.S. in 2001, based on his political activities. He filed his I-485 application in 2006, and his wife and children were all approved. They eventually went on to become U.S. citizens as well. Meanwhile, our client’s case was pending because USCIS believed that he was associated with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which may have been associated with terrorist related activities. INA 212(a)(3)(B). After Attorney Furqan’s numerous attempts to clarify with DHS Respondent’s non-violent involvement, USCIS finally approved client’s I-485 application.

Our client, a citizen of the U.S., filed an I-129F Fiancé petition for her fiancé in Morocco. That I-129F was approved, but at the interview, the consular official believed that the beneficiary was only coming to the U.S. to seek better employment opportunities. Then, our client went to Morocco again and the two were married. She subsequently filed an I-130 petition for him, now as her spouse, but before an interview, USCIS denied that application, as they did not believe in the legitimacy of the marriage. That I-130 was taken up on appeal before the BIA, but the BIA dismissed it as well. Attorney Furqan re-filed the I-130 with a wealth of evidence to support the relationship, including evidence of the many trips that she had taken to Morocco over the last 3 years. USCIS finally approved the I-130.

Client, a citizen of Eritrea, fled his country fearing that the government of Eritrea was going to force him into the national military. Our client opposed the political activities of his government and was morally opposed to the wars that the Eritrean government was fighting. While in Egypt, he participated in peaceful demonstrations outside the Eritrean embassy. He came to the U.S. as an F-1 international student and applied for asylum. Attorney Noaman litigated his case in immigration court, and the government opposed the case. Though our client was the only witness, the judge found him to be credible and approved his asylum case. This was a particularly important victory since asylum law generally does not cover “draft dodgers.”

Client had come to the U.S. as a child and became a Legal Permanent Resident. In his mid-20’s he was convicted of 2 simple drug possession crimes. He then relapsed and violated the terms of his probation. After having completed his probationary period, he went to South Korea and visited his family. Upon his return, he was detained at the border as having been admissible. Due to the nature of his crimes, he was not eligible for bond, so he had to stay at the Rolling Plains Detention Center in Haskell, TX during the course of his case. Attorney Furqan applied for a 42-A Cancellation of Removal application and was able to show that his client had been sufficiently rehabilitated. Further, he had family and friends in the U.S., and a stable and consistent employment history. The government attorney and judge agreed that our client was deserving of the relief, and granted the case. Client was released the same day.

Client is a citizen of Ethiopia and was born into an Oromo family. While in Ethiopia, he was politically active with the OLF and was subsequently granted asylum in the U.S. In 2006, he applied for permanent residency. His wife and children subsequently were approved for permanent residency and U.S. citizenship, but USCIS did not approve our client’s case because the U.S. State Department was concerned about whether the OLF was considered a terrorist organization. As a result, our client’s case was pending based on INA § 212(a)(3)(B). Client hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm, and Attorney Furqan wrote a detailed letter to USCIS which discussed our client’s non-violent activities, as well as the fact that the State Department had not designated the OLF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Shortly thereafter, USCIS approved our client’s I-485 application.

Client, a citizen of Nepal, sought asylum in the U.S. after having been persecuted by the Maoists because of her pro democratic viewpoints and membership in the Nepali Congress. She was a prominent figure in Nepal because she was a model and because she hosted a talk show in which she often times criticized the Maoists. The Houston Asylum Office approved her case based on the past persecution that she had suffered at the hands of the Maoists, who had previously detained her, tortured and raped her, in order to send a message to her to stop her anti-Maoist demonstrations.

Client and daughter had fled Mexico because they feared the drug cartel, Los Zetas. They made a credible claim for asylum at the border and were paroled into the U.S. in order to pursue their asylum application. The asylum application was ultimately denied by the immigration judge because he believed that they were being persecuted because of their money, and that did not qualify for asylum. While the case was on appeal before the Board of Immigration Appeals, client married her spouse and was able to get I-130’s approved for her and her daughter. They were then able to become permanent residents, after a nearly 5-year wait.

Our client was indigent and was taking care of her 5 children with little to no financial support from her ex-husband, the father of the 5 children. Our client was divorced in Minnesota and retained custody of the 5 children. The ex-husband filed suit in Dallas, TX in an attempt to modify orders and obtain primary custody of the 5 children, despite the fact that he had been physically and verbally abusive in the past. Attorney Farah filed a special appearance stating that Texas did not have jurisdiction. The ex-husband tried to challenge Minnesota’s jurisdiction. The Family Court judge in Texas hearing the case ordered that Minnesota retained jurisdiction and our client was able to keep primary custody of her children. Further, she was able to get an increase in child support in light of taking care of 5 children on her own.

Client, a citizen of India, was convicted of a domestic violence offense within 5 years of having become a permanent resident. He was placed in removal proceedings as a result. Attorney Furqan filed an I-130 for him, via his U.S. citizen wife, which was approved. At an individual trial, the immigration judge approved client’s re-adjustment application and criminal hardship waiver (INA 212h), based on the fact that client’s crime was one isolated incident, he was still married to his wife, they had a U.S. citizen child, he was gainfully employed, and he employed other U.S. citizens. Attorney Furqan then re-filed client’s citizenship application, which was approved. Client has now been able to sponsor his elderly parents for U.S. permanent residency.

Client, a citizen of South Africa, had been denied an EB-3 I-140 because he did not have the equivalent of a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Attorney Furqan appealed the I-140 denial to the Administrative Appeals Office, and it stayed on appeal for 4 years while he was able to renew his H-1B’s in 1-year increments beyond the initial 6 years. Meanwhile, his daughter, who was on H-4, married a U.S. citizen, became a conditional permanent resident, and after her I-751 was approved, she eventually became a U.S. citizen. She then applied for her parents to become permanent residents, since they were now considered “immediate relatives,” and our clients became green card holders.

Client was an IT consulting company whose H-1B for one of his employees was denied by USCIS. Client hired Attorney Furqan to file an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). The appeal was filed, and it included a contract between the client and the ultimate end-client, where the Beneficiary was going to work. The AAO considered this new evidence and reversed the decision, thus granting our client the H-1B visa for his employee.

Our client is a citizen of Ethiopia who suffered past persecution on account of her gender and military service. The Houston Asylum Office and the Dallas Immigration Court both denied her case. Client then hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm and Attorney Furqan filed an appeal arguing that gender based persecution can qualify for asylum. The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed with Attorney Furqan’s arguments and reversed the decision of the immigration judge. Our client was then granted asylum, even though gender based asylum claims continue to be an evolving area of law.

Client was the beneficiary of an EB-3 I-140 (India) with a 2007 priority date. He had been renewing his H-1B status, and his family was renewing their H-4 visas. Client has a pending I-485. One of his children was close to turning 21. Attorney Noaman was able to obtain approval of an EB-2 labor certification, and Attorney Furqan was able to obtain approval on the I-140. The 2007 EB-3 PD was ported to the EB-2 I-140, and a request to interfile the I-140’s was filed. Also, I-485’s were filed for the derivative family members, as the visa was now current. Client and family soon became permanent residents, including the child who was soon to become 21.

Our client, born in Kuwait and a citizen of Pakistan, had entered the U.S. on a J-1 visa. Though her DS-2019 stated that she was subject to the INA section 212(e) 2-year home residency requirement, we requested an advisory opinion from the U.S. State Department. They stated that she was NOT subject to the requirement, since she received no funding from any foreign government. We were then able to obtain approval on a National Interest Waiver approval, since she was working as a Research Scientist, and had proven herself to be an outstanding researcher in the field of Microbiology. Specifically, her continued work and research in biomedical science, microbiology and immunology would help the U.S. in the areas of infectious diseases, public health, and disease modeling.

Our client is a company that provides resources to buy, sell, and rent homes. Attorney Noaman completed a labor certification for their prospective employee, an Art Director, to assist in the interior design and marketing efforts. Attorney Furqan filed the I-140 and USCIS approved it, despite the fact that the company had just 1 employee on their payroll.

Our client, a citizen of India, had a pending I-485 that was soon to be denied, since she applied as a derivative and the principal beneficiary would be adjusting her status based on a separate petition. Therefore, Attorney Furqan filed a DACA application for her, as she was eligible for it. Attorney Furqan argued though that her pending I-485 did not place her in legal status, since she had to be out of status as of June 15, 2012, per the DACA regulations. The argument was based on INA section 245.1(d), which makes no reference to a pending I-485 as lawful immigration status, as well as the recent 7th Circuit decision that holds that a pending I-485 is not “lawful status,” Chaudhry v. Holder, No. 11-3350 (7th Cir. 2013) (citing 8 U.S.C. § 1101 and 8 C.F.R. § 245.1). The DACA application was thereafter approved.

Our client, a citizen of Mexico, had been approved for an L-1A visa. When he presented himself at the border for admission into the U.S. in L-1A status, he was accused of having immigrant intent. He was handcuffed, his L-1A visa was revoked, and he was then sent back to Mexico. Attorney Furqan filed a CBP FOIA request and made a formal complaint with the CBP border office where this occurred. The supervisor immediately issued a written apology for the treatment of our client, particularly because L-1A visas are dual intent visas, thus allowing for immigrant intent. The letter also recommended our client be granted an L-1A visa again, and the visa was thereafter re-issued.

Client was a member of the Pakistani political group, PML, and he had suffered past persecution from the PPP, another political party in Pakistan. However, he was granted a “Residence Permit” by the U.K., and therefore the immigration court found that he had “firmly resettled” in a third country, and was therefore precluded from a grant of asylum. The immigration court also denied his claim for Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture. Attorney Furqan appealed the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and the BIA reversed the court’s finding and instructed the judge to grant our client Withholding of Removal, since there was no fundamental change in the country conditions of Pakistan that would justify denying this relief, irrespective of our client’s firm resettlement in the U.K.

Clients were permanent residents of Canada and traveled to the U.S. via train. They had no proof of their lawful entry, apart from the train tickets. Their child, now over 21 and a U.S. citizen, filed for their permanent residency. Attorney Furqan provided to USCIS the train tickets and argued that this case was analogous to recent Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) precedent decisions that allowed for adjustment of status in situations in which the person was waived into the U.S. This, combined with the fact that the CBP FOIA came back with no results, was enough for USCIS to approve both cases.

Our client, a citizen of Nepal, had his SEVIS suspended in January of 2011 following the closure of Tri-Valley University. However, Attorney Furqan secured the approval of our client’s F-1 reinstatement with USCIS and argued that our client’s failure to maintain his SEVIS was for “technical” reasons by virtue of the fact that the school that he applied to, Tri-Valley University, closed down through no fault of his own. INA § 245(c)(2); 8 C.F.R. § 1245.1(d)(2)(ii). The attorneys further argued that the circumstances that prevented our client from satisfying the terms of his F-1 status were exceptional and that our client has no history of repeated or willful USCIS violations. USCIS then approved the reinstatement. Client then married a permanent resident, who filed an I-130 for him in the F-2A category. Since he was now able to maintain his non-immigrant F-1 status, he was able to become a permanent resident once his visa became available.

Our client, a Mexican national on a TN visa, applied for permanent residency as a derivative, based on an EB-2 I-140 that had been approved for his spouse. While interviews in this case are normally waived, he was scheduled for an interview because he had previously been convicted of Solicitation of a Prostitute. At the interview, Attorney Furqan provided the officer with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) cases which established the precedent that solicitation offenses are not Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude, and even if they were, it would fall under the “petty offense exception.” The green card application was approved shortly thereafter, without the necessity of a waiver.

Our client, a Mexican national on a TN visa, married a U.S. citizen and they had a child together. After the marriage, the couple attended marriage counseling sessions, but ultimately the marriage was irreconcilable and the couple divorced. Attorney Furqan filed the I-751 based on a good faith waiver exception, and the case was approved without an interview. Client was granted a full 10-year green card.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, came to the U.S. on a B-1, Business Visa. He then invested approximately $250,000 into a new trucking company that he had started. The majority of the investment went into the various trucks, which cost approximately $30,000 apiece. USCIS sent a Request for Evidence regarding the source of the money to be invested, but client was able to prove that his money originated from his lawful employment in his home country, and the E-2 was approved.

Having played professionally all over the world, including Belgium, Swaziland and Canada, our client amassed considerable accomplishments and notoriety. As a result, our client qualified for the O-1 visa category as an alien of extraordinary ability in the athletics, having been recognized on the national and international stage through many major print and media outlets, receiving nationally recognized prizes and awards for excellence, and playing a critical role for an organization with a distinguished reputation. 8 CFR § 214.2(o)(3)(iv). Attorney Furqan was initially able to secure his O-1 visa to work as a soccer coach in Oklahoma. However, after 2 years, the client wanted to work for a private company as a soccer coach, and so Attorney Furqan was able to file his O-1 transfer to the new employer, and it was approved.

Our client, a citizen of Jordan, had entered the U.S. when he was just 13. He had a conviction for Simple Possession of Marijuana and a deportation order. Now 25, he was detained by immigration officials and set to be removed from the U.S. Attorney Furqan filed a Stay of Removal with the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and presented a copy of the DACA application and fees that he intended to file with USCIS. Client, who was scheduled to be removed the next day via plane, was released from detention by ICE, and the DACA application was filed.

Our client, a citizen of Albania, was in the U.S. after having been approved for Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture, a case Attorney Noaman had previously won in court. Client then returned to Albania in order to see his sick mother, thus executing the deportation order. As an I-130 filed by his U.S. citizen wife had been approved, Attorney Noaman filed an I-601 and I-212 waiver for him, based on the hardship that his U.S. citizen wife and child would face in his absence. Both waivers were approved, and client has re-entered the U.S. as a legal permanent resident.

Our client, a citizen of Pakistan, retained us to file his citizenship application. As the financial director of a religious organization, he had close to 100 arrivals and departures from the U.S. in connection with his work for the organization. After the application had been pending for one year, he was finally interviewed, and Attorney Noaman attended this interview with our client. The interview was videotaped, lasted approximately 3-4 hours, and the questions were prepared by a higher-ranking executive in the State Department. Many of the questions centered on the client’s knowledge of any terrorists, terrorist related activities, his financial work for the organization, his involvement with their funds and where the funds went. One year later, our client was scheduled for a second interview, and Attorney Nick attended this interview. This interview was also videotaped, and the questions centered around whether our client had connections with Hamas in Gaza or the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Our client was very patient throughout both interviews, answered honestly, and shortly after the second interview, the citizenship application was finally approved.

Born in Hong Kong, China, and a citizen of New Zealand, client was performing research in J-1 status. As a Postdoctoral Researcher and Statistician in the Department of Human Genetics/Department of Biostatistics at the University of California, Los Angeles (“UCLA”), client was working in the field of bioinformatics and genomics, specifically in the development of the software BEAST (Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees). The BEAST software is an important tool among evolutionary biologists and has facilitated a large part of the research that has been done in the areas of evolution, ecology, and virology. Before his J-1 expired, Attorney Furqan filed a National Interest Waiver I-140, concurrently with his application to adjust status. Client and his wife were both able to adjust to legal permanent resident status.

Client, a Palestinian national, had overstayed his visa before marrying a U.S. citizen and having children with her. After filing the I-130, but before it was approved, client was placed in proceedings. He had several drug arrests, including a conviction for simple possession of marijuana. Client was seeking to adjust to permanent resident status with a 212(h) waiver and hired Azhar and Azhar Law Firm while his court case was in progress. Despite his criminal record, Attorney Furqan showed evidence of the hardship to client’s U.S. citizen wife, children, and LPR parents, if he were to be deported. The judge ultimately agreed, and client was able to get his green card and apply for citizenship after 3 years.

Client hired Azhar & Azhar Law Firm after the I-730 petition he filed on his own was denied. Client had married his spouse after receiving refugee status but had little proof of living together due to his refugee status. We filed a new I-730 for client’s wife with additional evidence proving the validity of the relationship. The petition was approved, and client’s wife was able to join him in the U.S.

Our client had been married for a short time to a Pakistani national, and he was seeking to annul the marriage. Attorney Farah argued that that there was an annulment based on fraud, because the ex-wife married him for immigration benefits and not for bona fide reasons. After testimony and evidence from both parties and their families, as well as evidence of the ex-wife’s past infidelity, the Family Court judge in Texas ruled in our client’s favor, ordering the marriage to be invalid and thus annulled.