Chodorow Law Offices helps businesses, families, and others worldwide with U.S. visas, permanent residence, and citizenship. We invite you to schedule a consultation in person, by phone, or by video conference.
Gary Chodorow, Managing Attorney
Gary has helped clients with U.S. visas, permanent residence, and citizenship for more than 25 years. Gary also has been a founding member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Asia-Pacific chapter, co-chair of the American Chamber of Commerce-China’s visa committee, and adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent School of Law. Read more.
What We Do
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- K-1 fiancé(e)s
- Parents, children, and other relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence
- Overcoming visa denials
- 212(d)(3) nonimmigrant visa waivers
- 214(i) waivers for fraud or misrepresentation
- Inadmissibility and waivers for Communist Party members
- I-212 permission to reapply after removal
- Waivers of the 3- and 10-year unlawful presence bars
- 212(h) waivers of crime-related grounds of inadmissibility
- Naturalization
- Expeditious naturalization for spouses of U.S. citizens employed abroad for certain U.S. companies or organizations
- Acquisition of citizenship by birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent
- Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
- Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
- Advice for children with dual U.S. and Chinese nationality
- Multinational managers and executives
- EB-1 extraordinary ability
- Outstanding professors and researchers
- L-1 intracompany transferees
- O-1 extraordinary ability
- H-1B professionals
- H-3 trainees
- F-1 students
- B1/B2 visitors for business, pleasure, or medical treatment
- Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (Reentry Permit)
- Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)
- Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes
- Form DS-117, Application to Determine Returning Resident Status (SB-1 returning resident visa)
- Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status
- Request copies of your alien file (A-file) from USCIS
- Request your entry-exit records from U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Request prior visa applications and consular officer decisions from the State Department
- To be used for purposes such as immigration and employment background checks
- To be used for purposes such as U.S. immigrant visa applications and Forms I-485, Applications to Adjust Status
Client Reviews
Mr. Chodorow handled my fiancé’s Chinese [police certificate application] for her K1 visa. He managed to provide enough documentation regarding why it was unobtainable to satisfy the [consular officer]. He is the only lawyer who is capable of handling the more complicated [cases] that we could find. All other lawyers upon looking at our case referred us to him.
Gary Chodorow and Linda Tang were incredibly helpful in assisting us with a K-1 (fiancée) visa and then a green card on the basis of our marriage. They were experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of immigration law related to our case. Gary and Linda continuously kept us up to date with a clear schedule and meetings. They made it simple for us to understand the procedures and set our expectations appropriately. Thank you.
Gary and his team are very knowledgeable, professional, efficient and always patient… They always thought ahead and helped us to get well organized and prepared. Working with Gary and his team made the complicated visa process so much simpler, and made my life so much easier. So thank you so much!
We worked with Chodorow Law Offices on my CR-1 immigrant visa application. The services provided by Gary Chodorow, Linda Tang, and Natalie Xin were very professional. They made a clear plan for my case and worked efficiently, preparing and checking each document very carefully. The staff is patient and friendly. Thank you for your hard work to help me get to the U.S. Here’s a photo at the airport in Boston after I entered with the CR-1 visa!
Gary is one of the most thorough, patient and analytical attorneys I’ve met. He was a joy to collaborate with on an article we co-wrote. I would highly recommend Gary for investor visa work and other complex immigration cases.
Gary Chodorow and Pete Zhang were a great help to me in getting an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in London. The Embassy initially denied my application because the public security bureau in China refused to issue me a police clearance on the grounds that I lacked sufficient evidence of my residence there long ago. Then I hired Chodorow Law Offices. With attention to detail and expertise, Gary and Pete prepared evidence that persuaded the Embassy to waive the China police clearance requirement and approve my visa application. Thank you!
Pete Zhang, the paralegal who helped with my application for a Nanjing police certificate, was exemplary in every way. He introduced himself at the beginning; responded to questions and requests promptly; showed initiative to track down the right people; and was patient and reassuring, building trust and confidence in his competence and the professionalism of the firm.
Recent Blog Posts
Read the LawAndBorder Blog. You’ll be in good company.
We have been quoted in:
USCIS Processing Times for I-130s and I-129Fs Remain Stubbornly High
Summary This article focuses on processing times for Forms I-130 (Petitions for Alien Relatives) on behalf of immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, and children under age 21) and Forms I-129F (Petitions for Alien Fiancé(e)s) who will apply for their visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. Table 1 below, based on our firm’s monthly check……
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Guide
This article covers the requirements and procedures to apply for a K-1 visa, as well as the terms and conditions of K-1 status. Also covered are the rules for the fiancé(e)’s unmarried children under age 21 to apply for K-2 visas.
China Birth Certificate: What Is Needed for U.S. Immigration Purposes?
If you were born in Mainland China and are applying for a U.S. green card, you will need to submit a notarial China birth certificate. That’s true regardless of whether you are filing a Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) with USCIS or are applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Communist Party Membership Makes Some Ineligible for U.S. Green Card and Citizenship
Did you think the Cold War was over? The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act still makes inadmissible (i.e., ineligible) for permanent residence and citizenship certain persons who have been members of or affiliated with the Communist Party. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has some 80 million members, so this ground of ineligibility is a key……
USCIS to Deliver Some ADIT Stamps by Mail
Some lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail rather than physically visiting a field office, USCIS announced on Mar. 16, 2023. This evidence is in the form of an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, also known as an I-551 stamp). An ADIT stamp’s validity……
CDC Rescinds COVID Test Requriement for Air Travelers from China
Effective Mar. 10, 2023, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has rescinded the order requiring a negative COVID-19 test result for all travelers to the United States on flights originating in China. Effective January 5, at 12:01 ET, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require a negative COVID-19 test result (taken……
COVID-19 Alerts
Staff Update (Dec. 16, 2022): Our staff is continuing to take every precaution to ensure the safety of our clients. We are advocating that U.S. immigration agencies put in place reasonable accommodations in response to COVID-19, and we are providing guidance to clients regarding available strategies to respond to the pandemic.
CDC Rescinds COVID Test Requriement for Air Travelers from China
Effective Mar. 10, 2023, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has rescinded the order requiring a negative COVID-19 test result for all travelers to the United States on flights originating in China. Effective January 5, at 12:01 ET, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require a negative COVID-19 test result (taken……
U.S. Consular Services in China Resuming in Part
The U.S. Mission in China announced on Dec. 27 that Consular Sections at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and Consulates Guangzhou and Shenyang will resume routine consular services on January 3. Consulate General Wuhan has resumed providing limited U.S. citizen services. Shanghai will continue operating in emergency operations status until further notice. Please note that……
COVID Vaccination Requirements for Nonimmigrants
Persons seeking to enter the U.S. by air as nonimmigrants are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Your Case at Your Fingertips
Our firm’s secure and confidential client portal makes your case available 24/7. You can:
- View your case schedule
- Upload documents for our law firm to review
- Fill client questionnaires
- Review materials drafted by our law firm
- Read legal advice
- Track your complete immigration history
This portal helps our firm work seamlessly with clients anywhere in the world.
