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Kelly M. Chicas, immigration lawyer in Fort Mill, SC

Kelly M. ChicasTop rated

4.0(2)
Immigration Lawyer at Law Office of Kelly Chicas
Fort Mill, SC Replies in ~24h Spanish 19 years practicing SC Bar
AsylumBusinessCitizenshipEmploymentFamilyInvestmentRemoval DefenseStudent

About Kelly

Ms. Chicas has practiced immigration law exclusively since embarking on her legal career. She has considerable experience in a wide array of immigration matters, including deportation defense (cancellation of removal, 212(c) and 212(h) waivers for crimes, de novo TPS claims, and bond hearings), family-based immigration (adjustment of status and consular processing), visas for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and victims of crimes, waivers (for fraud, crimes, health-related bars and prior deportations), citizenship and naturalization, nonimmigrant ("temporary") visas, asylum, NACARA, and humanitarian relief (temporary protected status and parole). She has successfully represented clients in complex immigration matters before the Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals as well as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and various U.S. consulates and embassies abroad. Ms. Chicasr has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. She has also studied abroad in Toledo, Spain. Ms. Chicas's interest in immigration started when she worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at a local non-profit organization providing assistance to the immigrant and refugee community in northeast Ohio. During law school, Ms. Chicas pursued her interest in immigration law by working for a prominent employment-based immigration law firm and a non-profit organization providing legal assistance to migrant and seasonal farmworkers in southwest Michigan. After law school, Ms. Chicas began her legal career in the immigration field by working at a busy immigration law firm in Miami, Florida in 2006. In 2007, she joined an immigration law firm in Dallas, Texas where she helped to expand and develop the firm's practice. Prior to joining the Law Offices of Michael G. Matthews

Practice areas

Asylum

Affirmative and defensive asylum cases

I-589WithholdingCAT
Business

Corporate immigration and global mobility

E-1E-2TNCompliance
Citizenship

Naturalization and derivative citizenship

N-400N-600
Employment

Work visas, PERM and employment-based green cards

H-1BL-1O-1EB-2EB-3PERM
Family

Spouse, fiancé(e), parent and sibling petitions

I-130K-1I-485AOSGreen Card
Investment

Investor and entrepreneur visas

EB-5E-2L-1A
Removal Defense

Deportation and immigration court defense

NTACancellationBond
Student

F-1, M-1, OPT and STEM extensions

F-1OPTSTEM-OPTM-1

Education

Case Western Reserve UniversityJ.D. (2006) · 2006
Ohio State University - ColumbusB.A. (2002) | Spanish and English · 2002

Bar & associations

Bar license
SC Bar
Active & in good standing
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Professional experience

Associate Attorney · Law Office of Michael G. Matthews2009 – 2024
Associate Attorney · Reina, Bates, & Kowalski Immigration Law Group2007 – 2009
Associate Attorney · Immigration Group, LLC2006 – 2007
owner · Law Office of Kelly Chicas

Client reviews

4.0
2 client reviews
51
40
31
20
10
AM
A. MartinezSep 17, 2025

Won my asylum case after 4 years of waiting

I was nervous after switching from a previous lawyer, but everything went smoothly. They prepared me for every question the judge could ask. Got approved last week — still can't believe it.

MP
M. PatelAug 26, 2025

EB-5 from start to conditional removal

Two regional center investments, one I-526, one I-829. Smooth.

Frequently asked

A 30-minute video or phone call. We review your situation, identify the best path, outline timelines and costs, and answer your questions. You'll receive a written summary afterwards.

Most cases are flat-fee. Pricing depends on category and complexity, and is shared in writing before you retain.

Only the initial consultation is paid through Immigrantio (via Stripe checkout). Once you retain, the lawyer bills you directly — retainer, milestone or hourly fees go straight to the firm's own trust account. Immigrantio is not in the chain of custody for case payments.

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