The Best Immigration Attorneys in Block Island, Rhode Island
Top 3 immigration attorneys in Block Island, Rhode Island. Rated 4.8/5 stars based on our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system.
Top Immigration Attorneys
Ranked by our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Fragomen
Fragomen is one of the world's leading immigration law firms with a strong Rhode Island presence. Their Providence office serves clients throughout the state, including Block Island residents and businesses. With over seven decades of experience, they specialize in complex employment-based immigration, corporate visa programs, and investor immigration. The firm maintains an exceptional 95%+ success rate for employment visa applications and has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies. Their attorneys are consistently ranked in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for immigration law.
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John T. Tavares
Law Office of John T. Tavares
John T. Tavares is a highly respected immigration attorney with over 25 years of dedicated immigration law practice. He serves clients throughout Rhode Island, including Block Island, with exceptional success in family-based petitions, citizenship applications, and deportation defense. With a 98% approval rate for marriage-based green cards and extensive experience in federal immigration courts, Tavares has built a reputation for personalized client service and aggressive courtroom representation. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and maintains an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
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Matthew T. Oliverio
Oliverio & Marcaccio, LLP
Matthew Oliverio leads the immigration practice at Oliverio & Marcaccio, serving Block Island and statewide clients with comprehensive immigration services. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in both business immigration (H-1B, L-1, E-2 visas) and family-based cases. The firm maintains a 92% success rate for employment-based petitions and has particular expertise in EB-5 investor visas. Oliverio is recognized in New England Super Lawyers for immigration law and is actively involved in the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The firm is known for its responsive client service and strategic approach to complex immigration matters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about immigration law services in Block Island, Rhode Island
What types of immigration cases do attorneys on Block Island, RI, typically handle, given the island's unique community?
Given Block Island's seasonal economy and small year-round population, local immigration attorneys often specialize in employment-based visas for the hospitality, marine, and service industries critical to the island, such as H-2B visas for seasonal non-agricultural workers. They also handle family-based petitions, naturalization, and status adjustments for residents. However, due to the island's remote location, some attorneys may operate on a hybrid model, offering initial consultations on-island but coordinating closely with mainland Rhode Island resources for more complex proceedings.
How does the remote location of Block Island, RI, affect access to necessary immigration services like biometrics appointments or interviews?
Block Island's remoteness requires significant travel planning for mandatory in-person immigration steps. Most USCIS Application Support Centers for biometrics and interviews are located on the mainland, typically in Providence, RI, or sometimes in Boston, MA. This involves a ferry trip (which can be weather-dependent and seasonal) and potentially overnight stays. A knowledgeable Block Island immigration attorney will help you schedule these appointments strategically, account for travel time in response deadlines, and provide documentation to USCIS explaining logistical challenges if delays occur.
Are there specific immigration challenges or opportunities related to working in Block Island's seasonal tourism and boating industries?
Yes, the primary opportunity is the H-2B visa program for seasonal non-agricultural workers, which is heavily utilized by island hotels, restaurants, and marinas. A key challenge is proving the temporary nature of the position, as the season typically runs from late spring to early fall. An attorney familiar with Block Island's economy can craft a strong petition demonstrating the peak seasonal need. Additionally, for year-round positions in sectors like healthcare or education, employers may sponsor permanent residency, but this is less common due to the island's limited off-season job market.
As a foreign national owning property or a business on Block Island, RI, what immigration pathways might be available to me?
Property ownership alone does not confer immigration status. However, if you actively invest in and manage a business on Block Island, you may qualify for an E-2 Treaty Investor visa, provided your country has a relevant treaty with the U.S. and you make a substantial, at-risk investment. For larger investments that create jobs, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a potential path to a green card. An immigration attorney with experience in Block Island's real estate and business landscape can advise on structuring your investment to meet USCIS requirements while accounting for the island's unique market values and seasonal cash flows.
What should I look for when choosing an immigration attorney to serve me on Block Island, RI, given its geographic isolation?
Prioritize an attorney or firm with a proven physical presence and understanding of Block Island's logistical realities. Look for someone who offers flexible communication (video calls, phone consultations) to minimize unnecessary travel and who has established relationships with local employers, town officials, and notaries. It's also crucial they have strong connections to the broader Rhode Island and New England legal community for resources and court access. Verify their familiarity with cases common to the island, such as seasonal work visas and adjustments of status for individuals who marry U.S. citizens within the close-knit island community.
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About Block Island, Rhode Island
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