Immigration & Removal Defense Attorney Los Angeles | Viking Law Firm, PC
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Los Angeles County & Nationwide

Facing Deportation? Your Fight Is Our Fight.

Viking Law Firm, PC defends immigrants facing removal proceedings throughout Los Angeles, California, and the entire United States. We fight for your right to remain — through asylum claims, bond hearings, and aggressive courtroom defense.

Confidential Consultation Aggressive Removal Defense Se Habla Español По-русски

You Are Not Just a Case Number. Your Future in America Is at Stake.

Every year, thousands of immigrants in the Los Angeles area are placed into removal proceedings — often without understanding their rights or the legal options available to them. The immigration system is complex, the consequences are permanent, and the government has attorneys working against you. Viking Law Firm provides the aggressive, knowledgeable defense that your case demands. We represent individuals and families in Immigration Court, before USCIS, and at detention facilities — fighting to keep you in the country you call home.

Affirmative Asylum Applications

We prepare and present asylum applications before USCIS for individuals who have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. We handle every step — from preparing your personal declaration to representing you at your asylum interview.

Defensive Asylum in Immigration Court

If you are already in removal proceedings, asylum can be raised as a defense against deportation. We represent clients before Immigration Judges in the Los Angeles Immigration Court and throughout the country, presenting evidence, witness testimony, and country conditions reports to build the strongest possible case for relief.

Bond Hearings & Custody Redetermination

If you or a loved one has been detained by ICE, you may be entitled to a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge. We fight to secure your release from detention by demonstrating that you are not a flight risk or danger to the community, and we pursue the lowest possible bond amount.

Detention Representation

Facing removal proceedings while detained is overwhelming. We represent individuals held at detention facilities throughout California and the United States — including Adelanto ICE Processing Center and other facilities — ensuring that detained individuals have access to effective legal counsel when it matters most.

Comprehensive Removal Defense & Immigration Relief

Viking Law Firm handles the full range of removal defense and immigration matters. If you or someone you love is facing deportation or needs immigration relief, we are prepared to fight.

Asylum

Affirmative and defensive asylum claims for individuals who have suffered or fear persecution in their home country.

Withholding of Removal

Protection from deportation to a country where your life or freedom would be threatened on account of a protected ground.

Convention Against Torture (CAT)

Relief for individuals who can demonstrate they would more likely than not be tortured if returned to their home country.

Cancellation of Removal

A form of relief available to certain long-term permanent residents and non-permanent residents who meet specific requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Bond & Detention

Bond hearing representation to secure release from ICE custody and ongoing representation for detained individuals throughout their proceedings.

Motions to Reopen & Reconsider

If you received a removal order — including an in absentia order — we pursue motions to reopen or reconsider your case before the Immigration Court or Board of Immigration Appeals.

Appeals to the BIA

If the Immigration Judge denied your case, we file appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and pursue further review in federal circuit courts when necessary.

Adjustment of Status in Proceedings

If you are eligible for a green card through a family member, employer, or other basis, we can pursue adjustment of status as a form of relief within removal proceedings.

Voluntary Departure

When appropriate, we advise on and secure voluntary departure as an alternative to a formal removal order — preserving future immigration options when other relief is unavailable.

Rights You Have in Removal Proceedings

Regardless of your immigration status, you have rights under United States law when you are placed in removal proceedings. Understanding these rights is the first step in your defense.

Right to an Attorney

You have the right to be represented by an attorney in removal proceedings — though unlike in criminal court, the government will not provide one for you. Having an experienced immigration attorney dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Viking Law Firm provides the representation you need.

Right to a Hearing

You are entitled to a hearing before an Immigration Judge, where you can present evidence, testify, and challenge the government's case against you. You have the right to review the evidence the government intends to use and to cross-examine government witnesses.

Right to Appeal

If an Immigration Judge orders your removal, you have the right to appeal that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). In many cases, further review may be available through the federal circuit courts of appeal. Time deadlines for appeals are strict — typically 30 days from the date of the judge's decision.

Right to Apply for Relief

You may be eligible for multiple forms of protection from removal, including asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or voluntary departure. An experienced attorney can evaluate which forms of relief you may qualify for.

What Happens When You Contact Viking Law Firm

From your first call to the resolution of your case, we handle your defense at every stage.

1

Confidential Consultation

Call (866) 929-5300 for a confidential case evaluation. We will review your situation, explain your legal options, and determine the best strategy for your defense — in English, Spanish, or Russian.

2

Case Investigation & Strategy

We thoroughly investigate the facts of your case, gather supporting evidence — including country conditions reports, declarations, expert testimony, and documentation — and develop a defense strategy tailored to the specific relief available to you.

3

Court Preparation

We prepare you for every hearing — Master Calendar Hearings, Individual Merits Hearings, bond hearings, and asylum interviews. Our attorneys ensure that you understand the process and are ready to present the strongest possible case.

4

Aggressive Courtroom Advocacy

We represent you in Immigration Court and before USCIS, presenting evidence, examining witnesses, making legal arguments, and challenging the government's case at every opportunity.

5

Appeals & Post-Decision Action

If necessary, we file timely appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and pursue relief through the federal courts. We also pursue motions to reopen or reconsider when new evidence or changed circumstances warrant it.

6

Communication Throughout

We keep you and your family informed at every stage of the process. You will always know the status of your case, your upcoming deadlines, and what to expect next.

Why Immigrants and Families Choose Us

Aggressive Removal Defense

We treat every removal case with the seriousness it demands. Deportation is a life-altering consequence — and we fight accordingly, challenging the government's case at every stage.

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Multilingual Representation

We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Russian — ensuring that nothing is lost in translation during what may be the most critical legal process of your life.

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Personal Attention to Every Case

You work directly with your attorney — not a paralegal or call center. We maintain a focused caseload so every client receives the time, attention, and preparation their case requires.

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Local & Nationwide Reach

Based in Los Angeles, we represent clients in Immigration Courts and detention facilities across California and the entire United States.

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Immigration Court Experience

We practice regularly before the Los Angeles Immigration Court and understand the procedures, expectations, and strategies required to present winning cases before Immigration Judges.

Accessible & Responsive

Immigration emergencies do not wait for business hours. We understand the urgency of detention, removal orders, and filing deadlines — and we respond accordingly.

An Attorney Who Fights for Immigrants

Attorney Leontiy (Leo) Korotkikh

Leontiy (Leo) Korotkikh

Founding Attorney

Leontiy (Leo) Korotkikh founded Viking Law Firm, PC with a singular mission: to fight for the rights of people who are facing the most difficult legal battles of their lives. Mr. Korotkikh and his team represent individuals and families in removal proceedings throughout California and the United States — including asylum seekers, detained immigrants, and those facing deportation.

Leo understands that for immigrants facing removal, the stakes could not be higher — separation from family, loss of livelihood, and return to dangerous conditions. He takes a hands-on approach to every case, building thorough defense strategies, preparing clients for court, and fighting aggressively before Immigration Judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

  • Licensed to practice in the State of California
  • Represents clients in Immigration Courts nationwide
  • Fluent in English, Russian; firm serves Spanish-speaking clients
  • Focused practice: Immigration, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
  • Dedicated to the immigrant community

Immigration & Removal Defense — Answered by Our Attorneys

These answers are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice for any specific situation. Contact us for a confidential case evaluation.

A Notice to Appear (NTA) is the document that initiates removal proceedings against you in Immigration Court. If you receive an NTA: (1) Do not ignore it — failing to appear in court can result in an in absentia removal order. (2) Note the date, time, and location of your hearing carefully. (3) Do not sign any documents or make statements to immigration officers without consulting an attorney. (4) Contact an experienced immigration attorney immediately. Viking Law Firm can review your NTA, explain the charges against you, and begin preparing your defense. Call (866) 929-5300 for a confidential consultation.
Affirmative asylum is filed with USCIS by individuals who are not currently in removal proceedings. You submit your application (Form I-589), attend an interview with an asylum officer, and receive a decision. If denied, your case is typically referred to Immigration Court where you can renew your asylum claim. Defensive asylum is raised as a defense against deportation by individuals who are already in removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge. The merits of the case are heard in court, where you present evidence and testimony. Viking Law Firm handles both affirmative and defensive asylum cases and will advise you on the best path based on your specific circumstances.
Many detained individuals are eligible for a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge. At the hearing, you must demonstrate that you are not a flight risk and do not pose a danger to the community. If the judge grants bond, you can be released from detention while your case proceeds. However, certain individuals are subject to mandatory detention under the Immigration and Nationality Act and may not be eligible for bond. An experienced attorney can assess your eligibility, prepare supporting evidence such as community ties and employment history, and advocate for the lowest possible bond amount. Viking Law Firm represents detained individuals at bond hearings throughout California.
If you fail to appear at your Immigration Court hearing, the Immigration Judge may issue an in absentia removal order — meaning you can be ordered deported without being present. However, you may be able to reopen your case by filing a Motion to Reopen if you can show that you did not receive proper notice of the hearing, or that there were exceptional circumstances that prevented you from attending (such as serious illness, a death in the family, or ineffective assistance of counsel). Time limits apply: in many cases, a Motion to Reopen must be filed within 180 days of the removal order, though exceptions exist for lack of notice. Contact Viking Law Firm immediately if you have received an in absentia removal order.
The timeline for asylum cases varies significantly. Affirmative asylum cases filed with USCIS can take anywhere from several months to several years to receive an interview, depending on the asylum office's backlog. Defensive asylum cases in Immigration Court depend on the court's calendar — the Los Angeles Immigration Court, like many courts nationwide, has a substantial backlog, and cases may take one to four years or longer to reach a final hearing. During this time, if you have been granted bond or are not detained, you may be eligible to apply for work authorization. Viking Law Firm works to advance your case as efficiently as possible while ensuring thorough preparation.
Withholding of removal is a form of protection under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA § 241(b)(3)) that prevents the government from deporting you to a specific country where your life or freedom would be threatened on account of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or particular social group. While similar to asylum, withholding has a higher burden of proof — you must show it is "more likely than not" that you would face persecution, rather than a "well-founded fear." However, withholding has advantages: there is no one-year filing deadline, and certain bars to asylum (such as the one-year filing deadline) do not apply. The downside is that withholding does not provide a path to a green card or permanent residency. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether asylum, withholding, or both should be pursued in your case.
Yes. Viking Law Firm represents individuals detained at ICE facilities throughout California and the United States, including the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and other detention facilities. We understand that being detained adds urgency and difficulty to your case — limited access to evidence, restricted communication with family, and the psychological toll of confinement. Our attorneys visit detention facilities, prepare cases with detained clients, represent them at bond hearings and merits hearings, and work to secure their release as quickly as possible. If a family member is detained, call (866) 929-5300 immediately.
Yes. Under U.S. immigration law, you may apply for asylum regardless of how you entered the United States — including crossing the border without inspection. The manner of your entry does not disqualify you from asylum protection. However, you generally must file your asylum application within one year of your arrival in the United States, unless you qualify for an exception based on changed or extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, recent policy changes may affect asylum eligibility depending on the circumstances of your entry. It is critical to consult with an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible to understand how current law applies to your specific situation.

Serving Immigrants Across Los Angeles, California & Nationwide

Los Angeles Woodland Hills Van Nuys Downtown Los Angeles Hollywood Glendale Burbank Pasadena Long Beach Encino Sherman Oaks Northridge Canoga Park Chatsworth Reseda Tarzana West Hills Calabasas Santa Clarita Lancaster Palmdale Orange County Ventura County San Bernardino County Riverside County San Diego County All of California Nationwide

Viking Law Firm's office is located at 21700 Oxnard St, Suite 1035, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. We represent clients in immigration removal proceedings before Immigration Courts and detention facilities throughout California and the entire United States. Immigration Court proceedings are federal matters, and our representation is not limited by geography. We offer in-person and remote consultations. Call (866) 929-5300 to speak with an attorney.

Facing Deportation? Contact Us Now.

There is no obligation for your consultation. Tell us about your situation and we will review your case, explain your legal options, and let you know how we can help — in English, Spanish, or Russian.

Phone

(866) 929-5300

(818) 440-1100 — Local Line

Office

21700 Oxnard St, Suite 1035
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Languages

English  ·  Español  ·  Русский

Free Case Review — Confidential

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