New York law Firm Overview

Alena Shautsova

Your Future Deserves More Than a Routine Immigration Strategy.

Strategic immigration representation for people protecting their families, building their careers, and securing their future in the United States.

When your immigration case affects everything you have worked to build, the quality of your legal strategy matters. You need an attorney who can identify risks, evaluate your options, and prepare your case with the attention it deserves.

At the Law Office of Alena Shautsova, we combine immigration law experience with litigation insight to help clients pursue their most important goals. From extraordinary ability petitions and family immigration to complex waivers and deportation defense, our work begins with understanding what is at stake for you.

Based in Brooklyn and Amityville, New York, we provide thoughtful counsel, meticulous preparation, and determined advocacy.

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A Clear Strategy for a Consequential Decision

A successful career, a growing business, or a family established in the United States can make an immigration decision especially consequential. A prior denial, an overlooked issue, or an inconsistent filing can create uncertainty that deserves careful legal analysis.

We look beyond the immediate application to understand your immigration history, your priorities, and the issues that may affect your next step.

Our approach centers on:

• Individual legal analysis. We examine the facts, evidence, and potential obstacles that make your case unique.
• Purposeful preparation. We develop the legal arguments and supporting record needed to present your case clearly.
• Direct explanations. You should understand the proposed strategy, its limitations, and what we need from you.
• Attention to your long-term goals. We consider how today’s decisions may affect future immigration opportunities.

You deserve a realistic assessment and a clear understanding of the work ahead.

New York Immigration Counsel for Ambitious Goals and Complex Cases

Our immigration practice serves individuals, families, professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking experienced representation in matters including:

Extraordinary Ability and Career-Based Immigration
EB-1 extraordinary ability petitions and other employment-based immigration matters for people whose achievements and professional goals require a carefully developed presentation.

Family Immigration and Citizenship
Marriage-based petitions, adjustment of status, and naturalization, including cases involving complicated immigration histories or concerns that warrant closer review.

Asylum and Humanitarian Protection
Asylum, VAWA self-petitions, and U and T visa matters, approached with sensitivity and careful attention to the evidence.

Deportation Defense, Waivers, and Appeals
Representation when your ability to remain in the United States is at risk, including removal proceedings, hardship waivers, appeals, and review of prior denials.

Second Opinions on Difficult Cases
Focused analysis when you need to understand a denial, assess an existing strategy, or determine whether another legal approach may be available.

Experience That Supports Your Strategy

Alena Shautsova brings more than a decade of U.S. legal practice and experience with both immigration law and the U.S. litigation system.

Her professional background includes service in the American Bar Association House of Delegates and on the New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Immigration Representation. She has developed educational programs for attorneys, judged immigration moot court competitions, and appeared in news coverage addressing immigration and legal practice.

That experience informs how we analyze difficult questions, prepare evidence, and advocate for our clients.

[Explore Alena Shautsova’s Background] · [Read Our Immigration Success Stories]

Russian-Speaking Immigration Lawyer in New York

Understanding your legal options should never depend on navigating a language barrier.

Alena Shautsova provides immigration counsel in English and Russian, helping clients discuss sensitive facts, understand the proposed strategy, and prepare for important stages of their cases.

Take the Next Step With a Clearer Understanding of Your Options

Whether you are pursuing a green card, protecting your family, or responding to an immigration setback, start with a careful assessment of your situation.

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE US

How long does a marriage green card take in New York?

Most marriage-based green cards take about a year or more from filing to approval, though timing varies. It depends on whether the spouse is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, whether you file from inside or outside the U.S., and current USCIS and consulate backlogs. Your interview is held at the USCIS field office covering your address. Currently, USCIS is taking only about 6 months to process a regular marriage green card case without complications.

Do I need a lawyer for an EB-1?

You aren’t legally required to hire one, but EB-1 petitions are heavily evidence-based and are often denied for weak documentation or the wrong legal arguments. An experienced attorney selects the right category (EB-1A, EB-1B or EB-1C), organizes the evidence around the legal criteria and answers any Request for Evidence (RFE). A strong filing at the start usually costs less than fixing a denial.

What happens at a deportation hearing?

A removal case in immigration court usually starts with a master calendar hearing. The judge confirms your identity, explains the charges against you and asks how you plead. Later comes an individual hearing, where you present testimony and evidence for any relief you are seeking, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. A government attorney argues for removal, and the judge then rules. Missing a hearing can lead to an order of removal, so never skip one.

What is cancellation of removal?

It is a defense that lets certain people in deportation proceedings stay in the U.S. and obtain a green card. For non-permanent residents, you generally must show at least 10 years of continuous presence, good moral character, no disqualifying criminal history and that your removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. These cases are fact-heavy, and preparation matters.

Can I get a green card through marriage if I overstayed my visa?

Often yes. If you entered the U.S. legally and then overstayed, marriage to a U.S. citizen can allow you to adjust status without leaving. If you entered without inspection, the rules are much stricter, and other factors such as prior removal orders or criminal history can change the answer. A lawyer should review your history before you file.

Is there a deadline to apply for asylum?

Yes. Asylum applications must generally be filed within one year of your last arrival in the U.S. Exceptions exist for changed or extraordinary circumstances, and missing the deadline doesn’t always end your options, because other protections may still be available. If you are close to or past one year, speak with an attorney quickly.

How much does an immigration lawyer cost in New York?

Fees depend on the type and complexity of the case. Many firms charge a flat fee for filings such as green cards and petitions, and a different structure for court cases.  We charge a minimum retainer fee and track our time we spend on working on your case. Government filing fees are separate. Ask for the full fee in writing at your consultation.

Do you represent clients outside New York City?

Yes. The Law Office of Alena Shautsova, P.C. represents clients throughout New York and across the United States, with consultations available by phone or video. We also serve Russian-speaking clients in their own language. To book a confidential consultation, call 917-885-2261.

Schedule a confidential consultation with the Law Office of Alena Shautsova.

Call (917) 885-2261
Visit www.shautsova.com
Brooklyn & Amityville, New York

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.