The Best Immigration Attorneys in Shelby, Montana
Top 3 immigration attorneys in Shelby, Montana. Rated 4.8/5 stars based on our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system.
Top Immigration Attorneys
Ranked by our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system
Douglas J. Murfitt
Murfitt Law, PLLC
Douglas Murfitt is one of Montana's most highly-rated immigration attorneys with extensive experience serving clients throughout northern Montana, including Shelby. He specializes in complex family-based immigration cases, deportation defense, and employment visas. With a 4.9-star rating from 48 reviews, clients consistently praise his thorough preparation, compassionate approach, and successful case outcomes. He's admitted to practice in Montana and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, making him well-equipped to handle appeals and complex immigration matters for clients in the Shelby area.
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Heather S. B. de Vries
de Vries Law, PLLC
Heather de Vries operates a highly-regarded immigration practice serving clients across northwestern Montana, including Shelby residents. She has particular expertise in family-based immigration, naturalization, and humanitarian cases including asylum and VAWA petitions. With a 4.8-star rating and numerous positive client testimonials, she's known for her detailed case preparation and personalized attention. Her practice focuses exclusively on immigration law, and she maintains an excellent standing with the Montana State Bar while regularly handling cases before USCIS and immigration courts.
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James A. Tancula
Tarlow & Stonecipher, PLLC
James Tancula is a seasoned immigration attorney with Tarlow & Stonecipher who regularly serves clients throughout the inland Northwest, including eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana areas like Shelby. With nearly two decades of experience, he specializes in business immigration and employment visas while maintaining a strong family immigration practice. The firm has a proven track record of success with complex immigration matters and maintains a 4.7-star rating. While based in Spokane, they frequently represent Montana clients and have extensive experience with regional immigration challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about immigration law services in Shelby, Montana
What types of immigration cases can an attorney in Shelby, Montana, realistically handle given the city's location?
While Shelby is a smaller city in Toole County, local immigration attorneys are equipped to handle a wide range of cases that are processed nationally or through regional centers. This includes family-based petitions (I-130), naturalization (N-400), adjustment of status, and humanitarian cases like VAWA or U visas. For matters requiring in-person appearances, such as interviews at USCIS Application Support Centers or hearings at the Immigration Court in Great Falls (the nearest court), your Shelby attorney can provide representation and guidance for navigating these Montana-specific locations.
How does living in a rural area like Shelby, MT, affect the processing of my immigration application?
Your physical location in Shelby primarily affects where you complete biometrics appointments and any required interviews. For USCIS, residents of Shelby and surrounding Toole County are typically assigned to the Application Support Center (ASC) in Great Falls, MT, for fingerprints and photos. Interviews for adjustment of status or naturalization are generally held at the USCIS field office in Helena, MT. An experienced local attorney will help you prepare for these necessary trips and manage timelines that account for travel within Montana's vast geography.
Are there specific immigration issues related to employment in the Shelby, MT, area that an attorney can help with?
Yes. Given Shelby's economic ties to agriculture, energy (via the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway), and healthcare, common employment-based issues include H-2A visas for temporary agricultural workers and petitions for professional workers (H-1B, TN) at facilities like the Marias Medical Center. An attorney familiar with the local economy can advise on the specific labor certification and petition requirements relevant to employers in Toole County and help navigate the complexities of sponsoring workers in a rural setting.
If I am detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Shelby, what are my options and where would I be held?
If detained by ICE in or near Shelby, you would most likely be transferred to a detention facility, as there is no long-term holding center in Shelby itself. The primary facility used in Montana is the Glacier County Detention Center in Cut Bank, approximately 50 miles away. It is critical to contact an immigration attorney immediately. A local attorney can help locate you in the system, represent you in proceedings before the Immigration Court in Great Falls, and explore options for bond or release, leveraging their knowledge of the Montana detention landscape.
What resources or community support for immigrants are available in Shelby, MT, that an attorney might connect me with?
While Shelby has a smaller immigrant community compared to larger cities, local immigration attorneys often collaborate with statewide and faith-based organizations. They may refer clients to resources like the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance (MIJA) for support, or local churches and community groups that offer assistance. Furthermore, attorneys can connect individuals with essential services in Great Falls or online for translation, counseling, and integration support, helping bridge the gap in direct local services within Toole County.
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About Shelby, Montana
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