At Thompson Law Advocates, we take great pride in standing beside U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones as they navigate the immigration system. Since the firm’s founding, we have helped numerous individuals take advantage of the special benefits granted to those who serve.
Immigration options for U.S. military personnel and their family members are uniquely structured to honor the sacrifices made in service to the nation, yet navigating these pathways can be overwhelming without proper legal guidance. Programs such as Parole in Place (PIP), Deferred Action, and the Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act offer significant relief, but each comes with procedural complexities and eligibility requirements that must be carefully addressed. A service member’s deployment schedule, the immigration history of a spouse or parent, and potential criminal issues can all impact how and when benefits are granted—or denied. For example, while PIP can allow an undocumented spouse to remain in the U.S. and adjust status without leaving the country, it requires a well-documented application that clearly demonstrates the qualifying military relationship. Similarly, expedited naturalization through military service under INA §§ 328 or 329 demands proof of honorable service and physical presence during qualifying periods, all while meeting general requirements such as good moral character. At Thompson Law Advocates, we guide families through these intricate legal processes, ensuring no detail is missed and no opportunity is overlooked. Our commitment is not just to the law but to the people who serve and the loved ones who stand behind them.
Military service offers unique immigration benefits that can keep service members, veterans, and their families together. The Immigration and Nationality Act includes provisions such as:
Passed December 28, 1945, to reunite military members with foreign spouses and children, it eliminated quota limits for those family members. Its amendments and extensions clarified who benefitted. The U.S. Supreme Court later affirmed criminal penalties for fraudulent use of the law in Lutwak v. United States (1953).
This act enables foreign nationals serving honorably to secure special immigrant visas provided they serve 12 years, or 6 with reenlistment, and receive proper recommendation. Their spouses and children are also eligible.
We help non‑citizen family members of military personnel apply for PIP and deferred action, preventing them from facing removal while they work toward lawful status.
We support active duty troops or veterans in collecting documentation of service, honorable discharge records, and required recommendations. We then assist in filing for special immigrant classification under INA § 101(a)(27)(K) and handle the associated adjustment of status.
Whether through military service or family ties, we guide service members and family through Form I‑485 and related petitions—ensuring completeness and timely submission.
Crafting solid petitions for spouses and children is essential. We handle petitions, waiver applications, and follow-ups necessary for family unity.
We lead the way through expedited naturalization under INA §§ 328 and 329. We also assist spouses and children overseas through consular processing and naturalization-at-basic-training programs.
Our dual expertise in immigration and criminal defense helps us defend non‑citizen service members and families. We identify and challenge potential removal grounds, file motions for bond, and present defenses under relief such as naturalization or cancellation of removal.
We work with criminal defense attorneys to clarify immigration consequences of charges. Often a plea deal can be a deportation trap—even for seemingly minor offenses.
Peter Thompson brings more than 25 years of trial experience. His courtroom advocacy is distinguished in both federal immigration and criminal defense enabling seamless representation in deportation hearings or bond motions.
Our firm treats each client as a person, not a case number. We develop immigration strategies that accommodate deployments, transfers, and family priorities. We file petitions carefully to avoid delays, track every stage, and respond promptly to USCIS or Immigration Court requests.
Although based in Philadelphia, Peter Thompson and his team serve clients coast to coast; from bases in Texas, California, Florida, to duty assignments abroad. We are adept at handling cases requiring coordination with U.S. embassies and varied consular procedures.
Whether you’re a service member seeking to secure your spouse’s legal status, a veteran pursuing citizenship, or a child of immigrants aiming to call this country home, Thompson Law Advocates is here to assist. With careful attention to detail, legal precision, courtroom proficiency, and a service-oriented mindset, we strive for results that uphold your rights and future.
Our office welcomes service members, veterans, and their families. Contact us to explore how the law safeguards your family’s unity.