Before Melissa Oosterhof became an immigration attorney, she was an elementary school Spanish teacher at Garland ISD, where she taught English-speaking students Spanish and developed what she describes as a joy for helping others, especially families and children. That background shapes the practice she built: Oosterhof Law Office, PLLC, founded in 2011 in Dallas, Texas, with a specific focus on cases involving families and children in the immigration system. The office is at 1910 Pacific Avenue, Suite 9000, Dallas, Texas 75201, and can be reached at (214) 550-4664.
The Attorney
Melissa M. Oosterhof is the principal attorney and is licensed with the State Bar of Texas. Her prior career as a Spanish teacher at Garland ISD directly informs her communication approach with Spanish-speaking clients. She volunteers with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and the Human Rights Initiative, providing pro bono legal representation in immigration matters. The firm accepts ADA-accessible clients and offers language translation services.
Practice Areas
Deportation Defense and Removal Proceedings
Melissa Oosterhof represents individuals in immigration court who are facing removal or deportation proceedings. This includes presenting defenses and applications for relief, such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or withholding of removal.
Waivers of Inadmissibility
For individuals who are inadmissible to the United States, the firm prepares and files waivers. Grounds of inadmissibility can include prior unlawful presence, prior removal, criminal convictions, misrepresentation, and health-related grounds. Waivers are often required as part of consular processing for family members who are applying for immigrant visas.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Applications for lawful permanent residents who have met the statutory requirements for U.S. citizenship, including preparation, interview support, and representation.
Family-Based Visa Petitions
Sponsorship petitions for family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including immediate relative petitions and preference category petitions.
DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applications and renewals for qualifying individuals. The firm assists with eligibility analysis, form preparation, and document gathering.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas
This category of cases reflects the firm’s particular focus on children in the immigration system. Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status is available for undocumented children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. The process involves both state court findings and USCIS adjudication. Melissa Oosterhof’s background working with children, and her volunteer work with organizations like the Human Rights Initiative, directly informs her approach to these cases.
Asylum
Applications for protection based on persecution claims. The firm handles affirmative asylum applications filed with USCIS and defensive asylum applications raised in immigration court removal proceedings.
VAWA Petitions
Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act for individuals who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. VAWA provides a self-petition mechanism that does not require the abusive family member’s participation.
U Visas
Petitions for crime victims who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of qualifying criminal activity and who cooperate with law enforcement. U visas provide temporary immigration status and a path to permanent residence.
Languages
The firm provides services in English and Spanish. Language translation is also available for clients who speak other languages.
Accessibility
The firm’s services are ADA-accessible. Melissa Oosterhof’s background as a teacher and her volunteer work reflect a practice culture oriented toward accessibility for clients who may face language barriers or other challenges navigating the immigration system.
Community Involvement
Melissa Oosterhof provides pro bono representation through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and the Human Rights Initiative, both organizations that provide legal services to low-income and underserved populations in the Dallas area.
Contact and Hours
Oosterhof Law Office can be reached by phone at (214) 550-4664 or by email at [email protected]. The firm’s website is https://oloimmi.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and who qualifies?
Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status is a federal immigration classification for undocumented minors who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents and who have received specific findings from a state court. The process involves a state court juvenile dependency or similar proceeding establishing the abuse, neglect, or abandonment, followed by a petition to USCIS. The firm has specific interest in these cases as part of its broader focus on children in the immigration system.
Does the firm accept clients who are in immigration detention?
Deportation defense and removal proceedings representation covers clients who are detained and those who are not. Clients in immigration detention have hearings before an immigration judge; the firm represents individuals in those proceedings. Contact the firm at (214) 550-4664 to discuss a specific detention situation.
How do VAWA petitions work for abuse survivors?
VAWA provides a self-petition mechanism for individuals who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. The petitioner files directly with USCIS without the abusive family member’s knowledge or participation. Approval provides lawful status and, eventually, a path to a green card. The process is confidential: USCIS does not contact the abuser as part of the adjudication.
Is there a difference between a U visa and a VAWA petition?
Yes. A U visa is for victims of qualifying crimes who cooperate with law enforcement, regardless of their relationship to the perpetrator. VAWA is specifically for individuals abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent. Both can apply in domestic violence situations, but VAWA is restricted to domestic violence involving a qualifying family member, while U visas cover a broader range of crimes with a law enforcement cooperation requirement.
Does Melissa Oosterhof take pro bono cases?
Melissa Oosterhof volunteers with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and the Human Rights Initiative, both of which provide pro bono legal services in Dallas. Pro bono representation through these organizations is distinct from the firm’s private client practice. Prospective clients interested in pro bono assistance can contact the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program or the Human Rights Initiative directly.