Just the facts. Just the law. Just results.
Viles Law Firm guides individuals, families, and businesses through complex immigration and federal tax matters — with clarity, compassion, and real results.
H-1B, L-1, O-1 visas, PERM labor certifications, and employer petitions
Spousal petitions, green cards, adjustment of status, I-130
Citizenship for green card holders — including N-648 disability exemptions
Removal defense, RFE responses, NOID challenges, and appeals
Affirmative and defensive asylum applications for persecuted individuals
IRS disputes, Offer in Compromise, FATCA/FBAR compliance, audits
Peter Viles founded this firm on a simple idea: expert legal help shouldn't require proximity. Whether you're in Houston or Honolulu, our fully electronic practice puts experienced immigration and tax counsel at your screen.
We specialize in cases others find overwhelming — including naturalization for clients who don't speak English, complex IRS controversies, and immigration court defense.
"Peter handled our entire family green card petition over Zoom. We were nervous about the process, but every step was explained clearly. Approved first try."
"My mother doesn't speak English but wanted to become a citizen. The N-648 route was something we didn't know existed. Attorney Viles made it happen."
"I received an IRS notice that terrified me. Viles Law resolved a 3-year tax controversy with a successful Offer in Compromise. Straightforward, professional, no runaround."
Book a consultation. No obligation, no jargon — just clear answers about your options. We accept clients from all 50 states for immigration and federal tax matters.
Founding Partner — Immigration & Federal Tax Attorney
Attorney Viles is licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and represents individual and business clients throughout the United States and worldwide. His practice spans immigration law — including family-based green cards, business visas, naturalization, asylum, and immigration court defense — as well as federal tax controversy before the IRS.
What sets Attorney Viles apart is a genuinely rare combination of credentials: a law degree, a Master's in Tax Law, and a Master's in Linguistics. That linguistic expertise makes him uniquely effective for clients navigating naturalization who have been unable to learn English — particularly in preparing N-648 Medical Certification cases that allow a disability exemption from the English language requirement.
His dual expertise in immigration and tax law provides an invaluable advantage when issues overlap — for example, when tax filing errors threaten a green card application, or when IRS liabilities affect naturalization eligibility. He is experienced in guiding clients through family law and criminal matters with an eye toward immigration consequences.
Legal processes involving USCIS and the IRS can be overwhelming — especially for clients whose first language is not English. Viles Law Firm is dedicated to explaining every step in plain language, connecting complex legal requirements to real-world outcomes.
Our fully electronic practice means we're never more than a Zoom call away, regardless of where you are in the United States or the world.
Book a consultation with Attorney Viles. Fully remote — available by phone or Zoom.
Available by phone, Zoom, or in person at our Houston office. No obligation, no jargon — just clear answers about your options.
This form is protected. Submission does not create an attorney-client relationship.
2000 West Loop South, Suite 1120
Houston, Texas 77027
In-person, by telephone, or via Zoom — whichever is most convenient for you. We accept clients from all 50 states for immigration and federal tax matters.
From family green cards to business visas, naturalization, and court defense — Viles Law Firm handles the full spectrum of U.S. immigration law, remotely accessible from anywhere in the world.
H-1B, L-1, O-1, PERM, EB-1, EB-2, and employer sponsorships
I-130 petitions, adjustment of status, spousal green cards
Citizenship applications, including disability exemptions
Removal defense, RFE responses, appeals
Affirmative and defensive asylum, withholding of removal
Book a consultation. Attorney Viles will review your situation and explain your options in plain language.
Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most significant legal steps a person can take. Whether your path is straightforward or complicated by a criminal record, long absences, or an inability to learn English — we've handled it.
U.S. citizenship grants the right to vote, unrestricted travel, and the ability to sponsor family members. Viles Law Firm evaluates your eligibility across four key USCIS areas: Continuous Residence, Physical Presence, English Language & Civics, and Good Moral Character.
We review your travel history, criminal record, tax filings, and residency period to confirm you're ready to apply — before you file.
Using our N-400 checklist, we gather every document USCIS will need — eliminating surprises at the interview.
We prepare and file your N-400, or your N-400 with N-648 disability waiver if English is a barrier.
We provide the full civics question set and coach you on what to expect — so you walk in confident.
We support you through the final step — the Oath of Allegiance and the day you become a U.S. citizen.
Permanent residents who cannot learn English may qualify for a medical exemption through Form N-648. Attorney Viles holds a Master's degree in Linguistics with a focus on second language acquisition — making him uniquely equipped to build compelling N-648 cases for clients who have been unable to learn English.
Service members and veterans may qualify for expedited naturalization with reduced or eliminated residency requirements. We guide military families through every step of the citizenship process.
Worried about a criminal background or long trips abroad? We assess your specific history before advising you to file — protecting you from a denial that could trigger far worse consequences.
Naturalization is rarely simple when a criminal history, family circumstances, or procedural delays are involved. Click any topic below for a detailed analysis.
USCIS evaluates Good Moral Character (GMC) for the 5-year period before filing (3 years for spousal petitions). However, USCIS may consider conduct outside that window if it reflects on current character. A single serious incident from decades ago can still surface.
Even where no bar applies, USCIS weighs positive and negative factors. Tax compliance, child support history, traffic records, and community ties all factor into the officer's discretionary assessment. An attorney's pre-filing audit can identify and address problems before they reach the interview.
INA § 316 requires that an applicant be a lawful permanent resident who was lawfully admitted. If the underlying green card was obtained despite an inadmissibility ground — through fraud, misrepresentation, or USCIS error — the naturalization application can be denied and the green card itself put at risk. USCIS officers have authority to refer cases to ICE.
A permanent resident who accumulated unlawful presence before obtaining their green card may have been inadmissible at admission. If USCIS discovers this during N-400 adjudication, the consequences can extend well beyond a simple denial. Pre-filing review of the full immigration history — including every prior status and entry — is essential for any applicant with a complicated history.
Under federal immigration law, a state court expungement does not eliminate an arrest or conviction for immigration purposes. USCIS and immigration courts treat expunged offenses as convictions if the original record showed a guilty plea, nolo contendere plea, or finding of guilt — regardless of what the state court later did with the record.
The N-400 requires disclosure of every arrest, citation, charge, and conviction — even if charges were dropped, dismissed, expunged, or sealed. Failing to disclose is independent grounds for denial and can constitute misrepresentation, which is itself a GMC bar and a potential deportation ground.
USCIS routinely requests the complete court and police file — not just the disposition. This includes arrest reports, charging documents, plea colloquies, and sentencing records. Applicants are often unaware of what those records contain. We obtain and review the full file before filing so there are no surprises at the interview.
Completion of a diversion or first-offender program — deferred adjudication in Texas, for example — may or may not constitute a "conviction" under INA § 101(a)(48). The analysis depends on whether the court required a guilty plea before deferring. Many applicants are surprised to learn that a case they thought was dismissed still counts as a conviction for federal immigration purposes.
DOJ must file a civil complaint in federal district court under 8 U.S.C. § 1451. The government bears the burden of proof — clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence. The citizen has full due process rights including the right to counsel, discovery, and trial. Denaturalization results in reversion to permanent resident status, after which removal proceedings may follow.
USCIS has taken the position that it may administratively revoke naturalization in limited circumstances without court action. This remains legally contested. Any USCIS communication questioning the validity of a naturalization should be treated as urgent — contact an attorney immediately and do not respond without counsel.
Knowingly procuring naturalization contrary to law is a federal felony carrying up to 25 years in prison (up to life if terrorism-related). A criminal conviction under § 1425 results in automatic denaturalization as a matter of law. The government has increasingly used criminal rather than civil proceedings in high-profile cases.
Under INA § 336(b), if USCIS fails to make a determination on a naturalization application within 120 days of the examination (interview), the applicant may apply to the U.S. district court for a hearing on the matter. The court may either determine the application itself or remand to USCIS with instructions.
The 120-day clock begins at the interview — not the date of filing. If USCIS schedules a second interview or issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), the clock may reset. Courts have split on whether administrative holds (e.g., pending background check results) toll the period. We monitor all pending cases and file in district court when USCIS exceeds the statutory window.
The petition is filed under 8 U.S.C. § 1447(b) in the district court where the applicant resides. Once filed, jurisdiction transfers from USCIS to the court — USCIS can no longer deny the application without court involvement. Courts often use this leverage to prompt USCIS to render a decision quickly. This is one of the most effective tools available to applicants stuck in indefinite administrative holds.
Do not wait indefinitely for USCIS. If your naturalization interview was over 120 days ago and you have not received a decision, RFE, or notice of a second interview, you likely have the right to sue. An attorney can evaluate whether the clock has run and whether a § 1447(b) petition is appropriate for your case.
A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent may acquire citizenship at birth if the citizen parent met certain physical presence requirements in the U.S. before the child's birth. The rules changed multiple times — the law in effect on the date of birth controls. Many people are U.S. citizens without knowing it.
A child born abroad automatically becomes a U.S. citizen if: (1) at least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; (2) the child is a lawful permanent resident; and (3) the child is residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent. All three conditions must be met before the child turns 18. No application is required — citizenship is automatic by operation of law.
The CCA took effect February 27, 2001. Children who were under 18 and met the § 320 conditions on that date automatically became citizens. Children who were 18 or older on that date are governed by the prior law (former INA § 321), which required an affirmative naturalization application.
Derivative citizens may apply for a U.S. passport or a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600) to document their status. The N-600 is not required — a passport application is equally valid proof. If citizenship is disputed (e.g., in removal proceedings), the burden is on the individual to establish citizenship by a preponderance of the evidence. We document and prove derivative citizenship claims in both USCIS and immigration court proceedings.
Book a consultation. We'll review your eligibility, explain the N-648 option if applicable, and outline your path to citizenship.
We help companies and professionals navigate H-1B, L-1, O-1, PERM, and EB visa categories — so the right people can work where they're needed.
Whether you're an employer sponsoring a skilled worker or a professional seeking an employment-based green card, Viles Law Firm provides precise, strategic counsel from initial petition through final approval.
An RFE or a visa denial doesn't have to be the end. We've successfully responded to complex USCIS challenges and turned initial denials into approvals.
Click any visa type to see the key eligibility requirements.
Book a consultation to discuss your business immigration needs — for individuals and employers alike.
Reunite with the people who matter most. We handle spousal green cards, family petitions, and adjustment of status — even if your spouse is still abroad.
The family immigration process involves multiple agencies, strict deadlines, and significant documentation — but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Viles Law Firm handles each step methodically, from the initial I-130 petition to the final green card approval.
We prepare and file the Petition for Alien Relative — the first step in most family-based immigration cases.
We track your priority date and notify you as soon as you become eligible to file for adjustment of status or consular processing.
For beneficiaries already in the U.S., we file the adjustment of status application with all supporting documentation.
For beneficiaries abroad, we coordinate the National Visa Center process and prepare you for the consular interview.
If your marriage is under 2 years, we file the I-751 to remove conditions and convert to a permanent green card.
Married to a U.S. citizen but worried about your tax filings or criminal history? We review everything before filing — protecting your chances of success.
Book a consultation. We'll review your relationship history, assess eligibility, and map out the clearest path to a green card.
Facing deportation or a removal order is one of the most serious situations a person can encounter. We provide aggressive, strategic defense at every stage of the immigration court process.
If you've received a Notice to Appear (NTA), been detained by ICE, or received a denial with appeal rights, time is critical. Viles Law Firm provides comprehensive immigration court representation — from initial hearings through the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Challenging the government's basis for removal and presenting every available relief option.
Responding to USCIS Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny before a case reaches court.
Appealing adverse immigration judge decisions to the Board of Immigration Appeals with thorough legal briefing.
A motion to reopen asks the immigration court or BIA to reopen a case based on new facts or evidence. Strict time limits apply — generally 90 days from the final order.
Requesting DHS to exercise discretion to close or administratively dismiss low-priority removal cases.
Advocating for your release from immigration detention at custody redetermination hearings.
Even with a prior removal order or a criminal record, relief options may exist. Don't assume your case is hopeless — let us review it first.
Immigration court deadlines are unforgiving. Book an urgent consultation today — we'll review your case and explain all available defenses.
If you have faced persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country, you may qualify for asylum in the United States. We represent asylum seekers at every stage — from the first interview to the final hearing.
Asylum applications are among the most high-stakes immigration matters — they require compelling documentation, precise legal arguments, and careful management of deadlines. Viles Law Firm provides thorough, compassionate representation from the initial filing through any appeals.
Filing with USCIS Asylum Office proactively, before removal proceedings have begun. Must be filed within 1 year of arriving in the U.S.
Presenting asylum as a defense in immigration court removal proceedings — often the last line of protection against deportation.
An alternative form of protection for those who may not qualify for full asylum but cannot safely return home.
Asylum may be available if persecution is based on: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. We help you build a documented, credible claim based on your specific circumstances.
Every asylum case is different. The strength of your claim depends on documentation, corroborating evidence, and how your story is presented. We build every case from the ground up.
To qualify for asylum, an applicant must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on one of five protected grounds under the 1951 Refugee Convention and U.S. immigration law. Select a ground below to explore its legal definition, key elements, case law, and litigation strategy.
Race
Persecution on account of ethnic identity, physical characteristics, or racial classification
Definition
Race is broadly construed to include ethnicity, tribal membership, and any classification by which a group is identified as distinct. The persecutor's perception of the applicant's race is legally sufficient — the applicant need not self-identify as a member of the group.
Key legal elements
Common scenarios
Case law
Matter of Acosta
BIA, 19 I&N Dec. 211 (1985)
Established immutability principle — characteristics fundamental to identity are protected. The bedrock of both race and PSG analysis.
Ndom v. Ashcroft
9th Cir., 2004
Affirmed that ethnic and tribal identity falls squarely within the race ground; persecution by a rival ethnic group satisfies nexus.
Zhu v. Gonzales
5th Cir., 2006
Confirmed that perceived racial identity — not actual membership — is sufficient to ground a race-based claim.
Ngure v. Ashcroft
8th Cir., 2004
Held inter-tribal persecution satisfies the race ground even absent direct state involvement where government protection is inadequate.
Common legal challenge
Establishing nexus — proving harm was "on account of" race rather than a general criminal act — is the most frequently litigated issue. Courts require evidence linking persecutor motivation to racial identity, not merely opportunity or proximity.
Attorney's note
Document country-condition evidence showing systemic patterns of racial targeting. UNHCR reports, State Department advisories, and academic sources strengthen nexus arguments. Expert testimony on ethnic conflict dynamics is highly effective in contested cases.
Religion
Persecution on account of religious belief, practice, identity, or lack of religion
Definition
Religion encompasses formal religious affiliation, apostasy, conversion, atheism, and religiously motivated conduct. Persecution for refusing a state-mandated religion is equally protected. Sincerity of belief — not orthodoxy — is the legal standard.
Key legal elements
Common scenarios
Case law
Fatin v. INS
3rd Cir., 12 F.3d 1233 (1993)
Established that forcing an individual to act contrary to sincere religious belief can constitute persecution — pivotal for religion and gender intersection claims.
Matter of S-A-
BIA, 22 I&N Dec. 1328 (2000)
Granted protection to a Moroccan woman persecuted by her father for not conforming to strict religious practice, affirming intrafamilial religious persecution.
Najafi v. INS
9th Cir., 104 F.3d 943 (1997)
Recognized that Iranian Bahais face systemic state-sponsored religious persecution; pattern evidence of targeting establishes well-founded fear.
Gao v. Gonzales
2nd Cir., 424 F.3d 122 (2005)
Held that Chinese underground church members prosecuted for practicing outside state-sanctioned channels qualify for religious persecution protection.
Common legal challenge
Adjudicators sometimes improperly require applicants to abandon religious practice for internal relocation. Under Matter of C-A-L-, relocation must not require changing sincerely held beliefs. Sincerity — especially for recent converts — must be carefully documented.
Attorney's note
For conversion claims, establish a credible timeline of when conversion occurred, evidence of practice, and how persecutors became aware. Expert testimony from clergy or religious scholars corroborates sincerity and community-level risk effectively.
Nationality
Persecution on account of national origin, linguistic group, or cultural identity
Definition
Nationality extends beyond citizenship to encompass linguistic, cultural, and ethnic groups within or across national borders. An applicant persecuted for belonging to a minority national group — even while remaining in their country of citizenship — may qualify under this ground.
Key legal elements
Common scenarios
Case law
Kamalyan v. Holder
9th Cir., 620 F.3d 1231 (2010)
National origin grounds a claim even when formal citizenship is held in the persecuting state — addressing ethnic Armenian persecution in Azerbaijan.
Canas-Segovia v. INS
9th Cir., 970 F.2d 599 (1992)
Distinguished nationality persecution from general civil war violence; targeting based on perceived national loyalty satisfies nexus.
Haile v. Holder
8th Cir., 2010
Held that perceived foreign nationality — even without actual ties — supports a nationality-based claim.
Shahandeh-Pey v. INS
7th Cir., 831 F.2d 1384 (1987)
Recognized that linguistic and cultural identity distinct from citizenship can independently ground a nationality claim under the Refugee Convention.
Common legal challenge
Courts may conflate nationality with race or require distinguishing the claim from generalized violence. Practitioners must demonstrate individualized targeting or disproportionate harm to the applicant's specific national group.
Attorney's note
In statelessness cases, reference UNHCR's Statelessness Guidelines alongside Convention analysis. For dual nationals, document why each state cannot or will not provide protection — both must be addressed before a claim can succeed.
Political opinion
Persecution on account of actual or imputed political beliefs or activities
Definition
Political opinion includes any viewpoint on governmental authority, policy, or political organization — including opposition activity, union organizing, whistleblowing, and refusal to support a regime. Imputed political opinion by the persecutor is legally sufficient; the applicant need not actually hold the opinion.
Key legal elements
Common scenarios
Case law
INS v. Elias-Zacarias
U.S. Supreme Court, 502 U.S. 478 (1992)
Applicants must show affirmative evidence of persecutor's political motivation — not merely that they were targeted. Sets the evidentiary bar for nexus.
Canas-Segovia v. INS (en banc)
9th Cir., 970 F.2d 599 (1992)
Refusal of guerrilla recruitment constitutes political opinion; passive resistance and neutrality anchor a cognizable claim.
Borja v. INS
9th Cir., 175 F.3d 732 (1999)
A journalist targeted for anti-corruption reporting demonstrated political opinion — publication of critical work is protected political expression.
Marquez v. INS
9th Cir., 105 F.3d 374 (1997)
Applied imputed political opinion doctrine; the persecutor's attribution of a political identity — not the applicant's actual views — controls.
Common legal challenge
The Elias-Zacarias nexus requirement demands affirmative evidence of the persecutor's motive. Gang-based persecution is routinely denied under political opinion absent clear evidence the gang attributed political meaning to the applicant's resistance or conduct.
Attorney's note
Build an imputed political opinion argument when the applicant has no express political involvement. Document how the persecutor described or characterized the applicant — statements, police records, or witness accounts attributing a political identity are often dispositive.
Legal disclaimer
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex, fact-specific, and subject to frequent change. Case summaries are illustrative only. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Asylum law is complex and the deadlines are strict. Contact us today for a confidential consultation about your situation and options.
Tax problems don't exist in isolation — for immigrants, tax errors can jeopardize green cards, naturalization, and residency status. We resolve both the tax issue and the immigration consequence.
Viles Law Firm is uniquely positioned at the intersection of immigration and tax law. Inaccurate tax filings can give USCIS grounds to question the validity of a marriage, allege tax fraud, or deny naturalization for lack of good moral character. We resolve both simultaneously.
Negotiating with the IRS to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed — freeing your immigration path.
Correcting filing status, dependent claims, and income reporting errors that could harm your immigration case.
Representing you in IRS audits and examinations, with particular expertise in cases involving immigrant clients.
Establishing IRS installment agreements so you can resolve tax liabilities and qualify for immigration benefits.
Reporting foreign accounts and income — and correcting past failures to file through the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program.
Reviewing your tax history before immigration filings — catching and correcting problems before USCIS does.
Whether you have an IRS notice, unresolved debt, or need your returns reviewed before an immigration filing — we can help.