FAQs
Most immigration attorneys learned the law through study. Jason Ankeny learned it through enforcement. Before becoming an attorney, Jason spent more than 15 years as a U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service Officer and U.S. Customs & Border Protection Supervisor at the Washington State/Canadian border. He adjudicated petitions, processed NAFTA applications, and supervised officers at one of the busiest land border crossings on the Pacific coast. When he reviews your case, he is not guessing at what the agency expects. He knows. That insider perspective shapes how we prepare every application, petition, and strategy we present.
Our primary focus is U.S. and Canadian immigration law, including business investor visas (E-2, EB-5), employment-based visas (TN, H-1B, H-2A), family immigration, immigration court representation, naturalization, waivers of inadmissibility, and immigration corporate compliance. We also handle trade law, corporate law, and civil litigation matters including personal injury, employment law, insurance law, and trademark law.
Yes. Jason Ankeny is one of a small number of attorneys in North America licensed in both countries. He holds active bar memberships in Washington State, Arizona, and British Columbia, and is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review. For clients whose situations involve both sides of the border, this means coordinated legal strategy from a single attorney who understands both systems.
Both. We work with individuals and families navigating the immigration system, as well as businesses ranging from small owner-operated companies seeking E-2 visas to agricultural employers managing H-2A seasonal worker programs to corporations handling employment-based petitions and immigration compliance. Every case involves real people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the outcome, and we approach every matter with that in mind.
Yes, and this is one of the situations we are most experienced with. We have successfully obtained TN approvals for applicants denied twice by other attorneys, E-2 visas after consular denials and multiple CBP airport refusals, and I-601 hardship waivers after prior denials and government Requests for Evidence. A denial is not the end of the road. It often simply means the case has not yet been prepared and presented the right way.
You meet directly with an attorney, not a staff member or intake coordinator. You share your situation, your goals, and any relevant history. We ask questions, assess the legal issues, and give you an honest picture of your options, recommended strategy, realistic timeline, and what it will cost. You leave with a clear understanding of where you stand, not a vague promise to look into it.
No. We work with clients throughout the United States, Canada, and internationally. Many of our consultations and ongoing case communications take place remotely. Immigration law is a federal practice area, meaning your physical location is often less important than the jurisdiction governing your case. If you prefer to meet in person and you are local, both of our offices are available to you.
It depends on the case type and the agency involved. A TN visa can be approved at the border the same day with the right documentation. A consular E-2 visa typically takes several weeks to a few months. USCIS employment-based petitions currently range from a few months to over a year depending on the category. Family-based green cards can take 12 to 24 months or more. We give every client a realistic timeline based on current processing conditions at the outset, not best-case projections.
Contact us immediately and make the urgency clear when you reach out. Immigration emergencies are real, and some cases simply cannot wait. We have remained available after hours and on weekends for clients facing critical filing windows, detentions, imminent removal dates, and time-sensitive business needs. If your situation requires speed, tell us that upfront and we will respond accordingly.
Yes. Both Jason Ankeny and attorney Rebeca Plascencia communicate in Spanish. Jason is moderately fluent, and Rebeca is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. For clients who are more comfortable in Spanish, you can explain your situation and understand your options directly, without relying on a third-party interpreter. In immigration matters where the details of your story matter, that directness is important.
We provide professional legal services for a reasonable fee. We believe access to experienced immigration counsel should be within reach for working professionals, entrepreneurs, and families, not just large corporations. Depending on the matter, we work on a flat fee or hourly basis. We explain the full fee structure clearly before you commit to anything, including government filing fees, so there are no surprises.
Contact us to schedule a consultation. Bring your passport or travel documents, any prior immigration history, and any documents related to your specific situation. If you are not sure what is relevant, bring everything and we will sort it out together. The most important thing is to have a direct conversation with an attorney who will give you honest information and a clear path forward.