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Ann Arbor's Premier Immigration Firm · Est. 2004

Your Path to
America Starts
Right Here.

Garcia, Johnston & Swanson guides families, professionals, and entrepreneurs through every dimension of U.S. immigration law — with 20 years of proven results and the personal attention your case deserves.

Book Free Consultation → Call Us Now
AV Preeminent Rated
Super Lawyers 2024
4,200+ Cases Won
Ann Arbor Michigan courthouse
⚖️
98%
Petition Approval Rate
🌍
60+
Countries Served
AILA Member
AV Preeminent® Rated
Super Lawyers 2024
State Bar of Michigan
4,200+ Cases Won
20 Years in Ann Arbor
98% Approval Rate
Free Consultations
20+ Languages Spoken
60+ Countries Served
AILA Member
AV Preeminent® Rated
Super Lawyers 2024
State Bar of Michigan
4,200+ Cases Won
20 Years in Ann Arbor
98% Approval Rate
Free Consultations
20+ Languages Spoken
60+ Countries Served
What We Do

Immigration Law Done Right

From your first visa to your naturalization oath — we handle every aspect of U.S. immigration with precision and genuine care for your outcome.

💚

Family-Based Immigration

Reunite with loved ones through spousal visas, family preference petitions, K-1 fiancé visas, and adjustment of status.

Learn more →
💼

Employment Visas

H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and E-2 visas plus full EB-1 through EB-5 green card petitions with expert PERM certification.

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🌿

Green Cards

Permanent residency through every pathway — family, employment, diversity lottery, and special immigrant categories.

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🕊️

Asylum & Refuge

Protection for those fleeing persecution. We handle both affirmative and defensive asylum applications with urgency and care.

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🇺🇸

Citizenship

Ready to become a U.S. citizen? We prepare your N-400, handle interview prep, and stand beside you at your ceremony.

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🛡️

Deportation Defense

Aggressive representation before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals when everything is on the line.

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Our Track Record

Twenty Years. Thousands of Lives Changed.

Real numbers from real cases — no approximations, no marketing spin.

0+
Cases Successfully
Resolved
0%
Overall Petition
Approval Rate
0+
Countries of Origin
Represented
0
Years of Trusted
Service in Michigan
Case Success by Category — 2023
Family-Based Petitions99%
Employment Visas (H-1B / L-1)97%
Asylum & Humanitarian Cases94%
Naturalization / Citizenship99.8%
Removal / Deportation Defense91%

Based on all completed matters filed with USCIS, U.S. Immigration Courts, and U.S. consular posts 2004–2023. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Our Firm

We Don't Just Practice Law.
We Change Destinies.

For twenty years, Garcia, Johnston & Swanson has been the firm Ann Arbor's immigrant community trusts most. We built this practice on a single belief: everyone who seeks a better life in the United States deserves a knowledgeable, fierce advocate in their corner.

✓
Former USCIS trial attorney on staff — we know how the government thinks
✓
Consultations available in 20+ languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French & Arabic
✓
Flat-fee and payment plan options — no surprises on your bill
Start Your Case Today →
🎬
Meet Our Attorneys
3 min · Garcia, Johnston & Swanson
Our Legal Team

Three Voices.
One Mission.

Three attorneys. Three decades of combined expertise. One shared commitment to getting you the result you deserve.

Attorney Cindy Swanson
Managing Partner
Cindy Swanson
J.D., University of Michigan · AILA Member

Cindy founded GJ&S in 2004 after clerking for a federal judge. A former Super Lawyers honoree every year since 2017, she specializes in complex removal defense and appellate immigration work.

Removal Defense Asylum Federal Appeals
🗣️ English, Spanish Contact →
Attorney Hector Garcia
Senior Partner
Hector Garcia
J.D., Wayne State · LL.M., Georgetown

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Hector immigrated to Michigan at 12. He brings firsthand experience and 18 years of legal expertise to every case. Michigan's foremost authority on employment-based immigration.

H-1B / L-1 EB-1 / EB-2 PERM
🗣️ English, Spanish, Portuguese Contact →
Attorney Gerald Johnston
Partner
Gerald Johnston
J.D., Notre Dame · Former USCIS Trial Attorney

Six years as a USCIS trial attorney before crossing to the defense side. Gerald's insider perspective makes him uniquely effective in contested proceedings. He chairs the Michigan State Bar's Immigration Law Committee.

USCIS Litigation Naturalization Waivers
🗣️ English, French, Mandarin Contact →
Know What to Expect

Your Case, Phase by Phase

Uncertainty is the hardest part of any immigration journey. We eliminate it. Here's exactly what your case looks like from start to finish — tap any phase for full detail.

1
Day 1–30

I-130 Petition Filing

Your U.S. citizen or LPR sponsor files a Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS to establish the qualifying relationship.

We prepare every document, draft the cover letter, and submit your I-130 with supporting evidence. We track receipt, RFE notices, and approval proactively so you're never left waiting for news.
2
Month 1–18

Priority Date & NVC Processing

Once approved, your case transfers to the National Visa Center. We monitor your priority date and prepare all civil documents.

Priority date processing time depends on your visa category and country of birth. We monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin and alert you the moment your date becomes current. In the meantime, we prepare your Affidavit of Support (I-864) and all civil documents for the next step.
3
Month 12–24

Medical Exam & Interview Preparation

Complete the USCIS medical examination and prepare thoroughly for your consular or USCIS adjustment interview.

We conduct a thorough mock interview covering every question USCIS or the consulate is likely to ask. We review your entire file for any inconsistencies and advise on how to handle difficult questions. Clients who prepare with us walk into interviews with confidence.
4
Month 14–26

Adjustment of Status or Consular Interview

Attend your immigration interview at a USCIS field office (if in the U.S.) or a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Your attorney attends the USCIS interview with you when permitted. We review every question afterward if issues arise. For consular cases, we prepare a detailed brief for the consular officer explaining any complex issues in your case.
5
Final

Green Card Approval & Beyond

Receive your green card. We guide you through removal of conditions (if applicable) and your 10-year renewal.

For conditional green card holders (married less than 2 years), we file your I-751 petition to remove conditions before the 2-year mark. We also advise on maintaining continuous residence for future naturalization and flag any travel or employment issues before they become problems.
1
60–90 Days Before

Employer Sponsorship & LCA

Your employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, certifying wage and working conditions.

We advise your employer on LCA requirements, prevailing wage determinations, and posting obligations. Errors here can result in denial or future compliance issues. We handle this with precision every time.
2
April Lottery

H-1B Cap Registration & Lottery

For cap-subject H-1B cases, USCIS runs an electronic lottery in April. Cap-exempt positions (universities, nonprofits) skip this step.

We submit a comprehensive lottery registration with supporting documentation to maximize the completeness of your profile. If not selected, we immediately explore cap-exempt alternatives, O-1, TN, or other visa categories to keep you working without interruption.
3
April–October

I-129 Petition Filing

We prepare and file your I-129 with a comprehensive support letter addressing specialty occupation, employer-employee relationship, and wage compliance.

Our H-1B petitions are built to withstand USCIS scrutiny. We include detailed job duty analysis, evidence of specialty occupation, organizational charts, and itinerary letters when required. Our RFE response rate is dramatically lower than the industry average.
4
October 1

Approval & Work Authorization

Upon USCIS approval, your H-1B status begins October 1. We immediately advise on next steps, including consular stamping if needed.

We coordinate with your employer's HR on I-9 compliance on October 1 and advise on any travel outside the U.S. If your visa stamp has expired, we prepare your visa interview package for the nearest U.S. consulate.
5
Year 3+

Green Card Pathway

We proactively advise on transitioning from H-1B status to permanent residency through EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 preference categories.

The earlier you start the green card process, the better. We advise on PERM labor certification timing, EB-1A extraordinary ability options, and National Interest Waivers for qualified professionals. Planning ahead protects your ability to stay in the U.S. long-term.
1
Month 1

Eligibility Review & N-400 Preparation

We conduct a full review of your green card history, travel record, tax returns, and any criminal or civil matters before filing a single form.

A surprise in your naturalization application is the worst kind. We review every element of your history — continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, any arrests or citations — and address potential issues before they reach a USCIS officer's desk.
2
Month 1–2

Biometrics Appointment

USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment to collect your fingerprints and run background checks. We brief you in advance.

We advise you on what to bring, what to expect, and how to handle any questions. We also flag any potential issues that may arise from the background check based on your specific history.
3
Month 4–8

Civics & English Test Preparation

We provide study materials, practice tests, and a full mock civics interview so you walk in ready to ace every question.

The civics test requires answering 6 of 10 questions correctly. We prepare you for all 100 questions and the English reading/writing requirements. Most of our clients pass on the first attempt — we make sure you're one of them.
4
Month 6–10

Naturalization Interview

Appear before a USCIS officer who reviews your application, tests your English and civics knowledge, and makes a recommendation.

Your attorney can accompany you to the interview. We review every section of your N-400 with you beforehand so there are no surprises. If a follow-up request is issued, we respond immediately and completely.
5
The Final Day

Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

Attend your swearing-in ceremony. Raise your right hand. Become a citizen of the United States of America.

This is the moment everything has been working toward. We prepare you for the ceremony, advise on applying for your U.S. passport immediately after, and celebrate this milestone with you. After 20 years of watching this ceremony, we never get tired of it.

Not sure which process applies to you?

Every case is different. Schedule your free consultation and we'll map out your exact path forward.

Get Your Roadmap →
Why Representation Matters

With an Attorney vs.
Going It Alone

Immigration applications are complex, exacting, and permanent. A single mistake can mean a denial, a delay, or a bar from future applications. Here's what the difference looks like in practice.

What We're Comparing
With GJ&S Garcia, Johnston & Swanson
Going It Alone Self-Represented
Petition approval rate
98% success rate
Varies widely; USCIS denies ~30%+ of self-filed petitions
RFE (Request for Evidence) rate
Very low — we anticipate issues before filing
High — missing evidence is the #1 cause of delay
Interview preparation
Full mock interview; attorney present when allowed
No preparation; go alone
Document review
Every document reviewed for accuracy and completeness
Error risk is high; forms change frequently
If your case is denied
We file an appeal or motion to reopen immediately
You may not know your options or deadlines
Language barrier
20+ languages spoken by our staff
All official communication in English
Proactive case monitoring
We track every deadline and status change for you
You must track all deadlines yourself
Cost of a mistake
Near-zero — we catch errors before they reach USCIS
Can result in denial, bars to re-filing, or deportation proceedings
The bottom line is simple.Your immigration case is one of the most important legal matters of your life. The stakes are too high to leave to chance.
Get Represented →
Client Stories

Real People.
Real Results.

From H-1B approvals to naturalization ceremonies — here are some of the moments we're most proud of.

"
★★★★★

"Hector Garcia saved my career and my family. My H-1B was denied twice before we found GJ&S. Hector filed an appeal and we won within 60 days. My wife and kids are finally here with me in Michigan. I don't have words."

RA
Rahul Anand
Software Engineer · Originally from India
🇮🇳
"
★★★★★

"I came from Guatemala fleeing violence. I was terrified and alone. Cindy Swanson fought for me like I was her own family. My asylum was approved. I now have a green card and a future. She gave me my life back."

ML
Maria L.
Asylum Recipient · Originally from Guatemala
🇬🇹
"
★★★★★

"Gerald Johnston helped me become a U.S. citizen after 14 years as a permanent resident. His team made it effortless. I cried at my naturalization ceremony. This was the greatest moment of my life."

YC
Yuki Chen
U.S. Citizen · Originally from Taiwan
🇹🇼

Ready to Take the
Next Step?

Free consultations. No obligation. Just the honest, expert guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

Book Free Consultation (734) 555-0192

Available 24/7 · Free & Confidential

Let's Talk About
Your Case

Whether you're just exploring your options or ready to file tomorrow — we're here. Fill out the form or call us directly. The consultation is always free.

📍
Our Office
100 S. Ashley St. Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
📞
Call Us
(734) 555-0192
Available 24 hours, 7 days
✉️
Email
info@gjslaw.com
Reply within 1 business day
⏰
Office Hours
Mon–Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM EST
Evening & weekend by appointment

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Takes 3 minutes. No obligation. We review every inquiry personally.

All consultations are 100% confidential. This form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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