From asylum applications to family visas and green cards — we guide immigrants through every step of the U.S. immigration system with expertise, compassion, and cultural understanding.
No matter where you are in your immigration journey, we have the experience to help. We serve clients across Westchester and Rockland counties with personalized, multilingual representation.
Affirmative and defensive asylum applications. We help you document your fear of persecution, prepare your I-589, and represent you through USCIS interviews and immigration court hearings.
Petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. We handle I-130 petitions, consular processing, and adjustment of status.
H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visas. We assist both employers sponsoring workers and individuals seeking employment authorization in the United States.
Adjustment of status for those already in the U.S., and consular processing for those abroad. We guide you from eligibility assessment through the final interview.
N-400 naturalization applications, citizenship test preparation, and representation at USCIS naturalization interviews. Become a U.S. citizen with confidence.
If you or a family member is facing deportation, time is serious. We provide aggressive representation before the immigration court, BIA, and circuit courts of appeal.
Renewals and new applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible countries including Haiti.
Visitor visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), exchange visas (J-1), and waivers. We help with applications, extensions, and status changes.
Special immigration protections for victims of domestic violence, crime, and trafficking. These applications are handled with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.
Under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA), Canadian citizens in qualifying professions — including IT specialists, engineers, accountants, scientists, and lawyers — may work in the U.S. under a TN visa. No petition required for Canadians. We assist with documentation, employer letters, and border or port-of-entry applications.
A prior criminal record, DUI, immigration violation, or period of unlawful presence can make you inadmissible to the United States. A waiver may be available. We evaluate your eligibility and prepare the full I-601 or I-601A package — including the hardship showing that is the centerpiece of every successful waiver.
Internationally recognized artists, entertainers, and athletes coming to perform or compete in the U.S. may qualify for a P-1 or P-3 visa. We handle P visa petitions for performers, musicians, visual artists, and athletes — in coordination with our Entertainment, Art & Sports Law practice. Learn more about our arts & sports practice →
Asylum protects people who cannot return to their home country due to persecution. Here are the key steps — and you can download our complete guide in Haitian Creole below.
Your first step is a confidential consultation. We’ll evaluate your eligibility, explain your options, and outline a strategy for your specific situation — in your language.
The I-589 is a free application filed with USCIS. It requires a detailed personal statement explaining why you fear returning to your home country and the evidence supporting your claim.
Country condition reports, medical records, police reports, photographs, witness statements, and news articles all strengthen your case. We help you organize everything.
USCIS will schedule fingerprinting and a photo to verify your identity. This is a routine step that your attorney will prepare you for.
An asylum officer will ask detailed questions about your case. You have the right to an interpreter and to have your attorney present. Thorough preparation is essential.
If approved, you receive asylum status immediately. If referred to immigration court, your attorney will represent you before the judge. After one year, you can apply for a green card.
⚠️ Serious 1-Year Rule
You must apply for asylum within one year of your last entry into the United States. There are very limited exceptions. Do not wait — contact us immediately if you recently arrived in the U.S.
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White Plains & New City, NY
Attorney Maiaklovsky grew up in Montreal and studied law in Ottawa. She understands the Canadian professional experience — and the specific U.S. immigration pathways available to Canadian citizens — in a way that most New York immigration attorneys simply do not.
Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Canadian citizens in over 60 designated professional categories may enter the U.S. to work without going through the H-1B lottery. This includes:
Canadian citizens applying for TN status do not need a visa stamp — you apply at the port of entry or U.S. pre-clearance airport with an employer support letter and your credentials. We prepare the full package and walk you through exactly what to expect at the border.
Already in the U.S.? If you entered on another status and want to change to TN, or if you need to extend or renew your TN, we handle those filings as well.
Certain past issues can make a person inadmissible to the United States — even a Canadian who has a job offer, an American spouse, or family already in the country. Common grounds include:
A waiver application requires demonstrating that a qualifying U.S. relative would suffer extreme hardship if the waiver is denied. This is the heart of every I-601 case — and it requires thorough, carefully documented preparation. We build these cases from the ground up.
I-601 vs. I-601A: The I-601A (provisional unlawful presence waiver) allows certain individuals to apply before leaving the U.S. We determine which process applies to your situation.
Internationally recognized artists, musicians, performers, and athletes — including Canadians — who come to the U.S. to perform, compete, or teach may qualify for a P-1 or P-3 visa. We handle P visa petitions in conjunction with our Entertainment, Art & Sports Law practice, so both the immigration and the contract side of your engagement are covered by one firm.
Questions about your specific situation? We offer a free 15-minute consultation.
Schedule a Consultation →This is one of the most important distinctions in immigration law. Thousands of immigrants have had their cases harmed — or destroyed — by using unlicensed preparers. Understand your rights.
| ❌ Document Preparer “Notario” / “Immigration Consultant” |
✅ Licensed Attorney Maiaklovsky Preval, Esq. |
|
|---|---|---|
| License | No law license. Not admitted to any bar. | Licensed attorney, admitted to the New York State Bar. |
| Legal Advice | Forbidden from giving legal advice. Doing so may constitute the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL). | Can give full, confidential legal advice tailored to your case. |
| Court Representation | Cannot represent you before USCIS, immigration court, or BIA. | Fully represents you in all immigration proceedings. |
| Strategy | Can only fill out forms following your instructions — no analysis. | Analyzes your eligibility, develops a case strategy, and anticipates problems. |
| Accountability | Very limited. Difficult to pursue if they make errors. | Answerable to the state bar. Can lose license for ethical violations. |
| Attorney-Client Privilege | Does not exist with a preparer. | Full confidentiality protection under attorney-client privilege. |
| Cost Reality | May seem cheaper — but errors can cost you your case, your status, or your family. | Transparent fees. Payment plans available. We discuss costs upfront. |
One of the most common mistakes we see at this firm is clients who paid significant sums to someone calling themselves a “notario” or “immigration consultant” — only to discover the work was done wrong, or never filed at all.
Here is something important to understand: the word notario público carries real legal weight in many Latin American countries, where it refers to a highly trained legal professional. That meaning does not travel to the United States. In this country, a notary public is authorized only to certify signatures on documents. Nothing more. A notary in the U.S. cannot evaluate your immigration situation, advise you on which application to file, or advocate for you before USCIS, the immigration courts, or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
When a person without a law license gives you immigration advice or prepares your immigration filings for pay, that conduct may rise to the level of Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) — a serious matter that can result in professional and legal consequences for them, and real harm to your case. A wrongly filed application, a missed deadline, or an incomplete asylum claim can be extremely difficult to undo.
There is a narrow category of non-attorney advocates who are permitted to assist with immigration matters: those who have been formally approved through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program. Outside of that program, only licensed attorneys admitted to the bar may provide immigration legal services.
If any of the following sound familiar, seek a licensed attorney immediately: someone promised to “fix” your papers or guaranteed you a visa or green card; you were asked to sign forms that were blank or that you did not understand; fees were collected but no receipt or written agreement was provided; or your paperwork was submitted and you received nothing confirming it.
If you believe you have been victimized by an unauthorized preparer, you may file a complaint with the New York State Attorney General’s Office. We are also available to review what was previously filed and advise you on next steps. Call us at (914) 885-1588.
Answer 7 short questions and receive a personalized analysis of U.S. immigration pathways available for your situation — completely free, no email required, available in English, Français, and Kreyòl Ayisyen.
Your legal situation is urgent and your rights matter. Contact Maiaklovsky Law Firm today for a free, confidential 15-minute consultation — in English, French, or Haitian Creole.
White Plains: 75 South Broadway, 4th Floor, NY 10601 · New City: 22 South Main, NY 10956
Tell us about your situation. Attorney Maiaklovsky or a member of our team will personally review your submission. All information is strictly confidential.
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