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Arturo R Rios

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Avvo Rating10
  • Saint Petersburg, FL
  • Licensed for 12 years

Legal guides written by Arturo Rios

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Arturo R Rios
Arturo R Rios
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About Arturo

Experienced Immigration Law & Deportation Defense Lawyer with a proven record of RESULTS & SOLUTIONS

Practice focused on Deportation Defense and Immigration Litigation, which includes: Immigration Court cases, Appeals to Board of Immigration Appeals, representing employers under ICE investigation for I-9 compliance and related issues, immigration cases in Federal district & appellate courts, motions to reopen and/or waivers, and post-conviction relief in criminal courts for immigration related cases.  The thrust of Mr. Rios' practice entails defending immigrants in deportation cases (also called removal proceedings) in all Florida Immigration Courts, filing Motions to Reopen and/or Reconsider in all the Immigration Courts in the United States, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals or Administrative Appeals Office.  For those that may have been already deported, Mr. Rios seeks solutions, usually through waivers, to facilitate their lawful return to the United States.  In short, Mr. Rios' practice focuses on providings SOLUTIONS and RESULTS for those faced with a deportation problem, or for employers who are under ICE investigation for hiring practices and/or I-9 compliance matters.

Practice areas

Immigration
  1. Immigration: 100%

    Focusing solely on Deportation Defense, Immigration Appeals, and Immigration Litigation (such as Waivers, Motions to Reopen/Reconsider, and Immigration cases in Federal court).

Languages spoken

Spanish, English, Filipino, Portuguese

Contact

2929 5th Ave N
address map

2929 5th Ave N
Saint Petersburg, FL, 337136703

Office (727) 321-8151

Website

www.rioslawfirm.com

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
FLMember in Good Standing200704/19/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers47
Legal guides19
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
2010 Award for Excellence in Immigration LitigationAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association-CFC2010
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Attorney at LawLaw Office of Arturo R. Rios, P.A.2010 - Present
ProfessorStetson University College of Law2009 - Present
LawyerArturo M. Rios, P.A.2006 - 2010
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida chapter)Regional VP Tampa Bay Area2013 - Present
American Immigration CouncilAmbassador-Central Florida2010 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember-Board of Directors2007 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Voice (monthly AILA National Magazine)Defending Padilla2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Temple University - James E. Beasley School of LawLL.M - Master of Laws2008
Stetson University College of LawJuris Doctor2006
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Stetson Law SchoolVarious Immigration Law Programs & Workshosps2013
AILA-CFC Annual ConferenceWinning the Impossible Deportation Case2012
AILA-CFC Annual ConferenceCurrent Trends in Immigration Law AIC2011
AILA-CFC 2010 Annual ConferencePCR in Removal Proceedings2010
2010 AILA-CFC Annual BanquetPost Conviction Relief after Padilla2010
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Matter of JIPNo Deportation, Lawful Permanent Residence Granted
Matter of ARI-601 Waiver Approved, Case Won
Matter of ISTrial Won, Permaent Residence Granted.
Matter of NPI-601 Waiver Approved, Case Won
Matter of MCI-360 Approved
Matter of JFImmigration Judge Granted Lawful Permanent Residence.
Matter of CBLawful Permanent Residence Granted.
Matter of SALawful Permanent Residence Granted, Green Card issued.
Matter of OVI-601A Waiver Approved
Matter of MLCase won, ML can now get her green card.
Matter of BCI-751 Approved without USCIS Interview
Matter of JCCase Won!
Matter of SMLawful Permanent Residence Granted.
Matter of BBClient NOT deported, can remain lawfully in the United States with her family.
Matter of SCDeportation proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of MAContested I-751 Petition Approved, the client was granted lawful permanent residence.
Matter of ATRemoval Proceedings Terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of W.A.Removal Proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of J.P.Removal Proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of Z.G.In Absentia Proceedings Reopened, Removal Proceedings Terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of S.N.Removal Proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of T.P.Removal Proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of MBImmigration Judge GRANTED permanent residence, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of EBClient NOT deported, I-601 waiver GRANTED, client returned as a lawful permanent resident.
Matter of MFDeportation proceedings terminated, the client was NOT deported.
Matter of JMI-601 waiver GRANTED, client returned to the United States as a lawful permanent resident.

Reviews

(11)
5 Star
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4 Star
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Review Arturo Rios

Thanks!!!

Posted by

Mr. Rios gave me confidence that my case would have a favorable outcome. I had to promise him not to worry; just leave everything to him. He did everything that he said he would do.This helped me with this very stressful situation. I cannot thank him enough for the peace of mind I enjoy now that the outcome of my case was successful. Mr. Rios is the very best!

The Best!

Posted by

I saw two other lawyers before coming to see Mr. Rios, and they said I was going to get deported. Mr. Rios studied my case very carefully, and then took my case. He is amazing, I did not even have to have a trial. The judge closed my case, and I was able to stay in this Country. Mr. Rios is the best, he has class, and everyone at the court respects him very much. Thank you Mr. Rios.

Knowledge

Posted by

Mr Rios is very knowledgeable in immigration matters ,he repondes to every question I had it and is very confident in his work .
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Never Gave Up

Posted by

We had a tricky immigration case from the get go, which only got trickier as time went on. Art was with us every step of the way and stayed positive, yet realistic, when we began to lose hope. During our almost 9 year immigration journey, we dealt with criminal charges (old and new), an awful first attorney, a deportation letter, and an unfortunate civil case. Art came in during the thick of it and walked us through it every step of the way. When my husband was wrongly arrested for insurance fraud, immigration put a hold on him and Art was the first person I called. He was immediately on the phone working to get the hold dropped and did so within hours. He was dedicated, trust worthy, and easily one of the most brilliant law-minds I know. At every hearing, he was both respectful and respected by everyone we crossed paths with. We recently went before the immigration judge in our final deportation trial and Art was masterful in the courtroom. The judge ruled in our favor, granting residency to my husband, something we'd almost given up on. Art was genuinely thrilled for us because he sincerely cared about our family. I can't recommend Art enough. He worked hard and gave us everything he had.

Miracle Worker!

Posted by

Mr. Rios is the best immigration lawyer I have ever met, and I met with a few. I had a very hard case, and met with a lot of lawyers before seeing Mr. Rios. A lot of the lawyers either did not know how to handle my case, because they said there was nothing to do, or were trying to take money from me right away without telling me what they were even going to do. From the moment I met Mr. Rios, I knew I was at the right place. When you walk into his office, you know that it is a place were they care about their clients, not fancy office in expensive buildings, but a very warm and caring simple office where you feel at home as soon as you walk in. I met with Mr. Rios for almost two hours, just for my initial consultation. He told me he needed to think about my case, and about a week later called me back with a full strategy. I will say this, Mr. Rios is not cheap, but boy do you get your money's worth. The first thing he told me was that I needed to be patient. I will say that Mr. Rios takes his time, but that is because he is the one that works the case, not a secretary or paralegal, and he has a strategy. Long story short, I now have my Green Card, I was not deported, my husband is now a citizen, and I will be able to become one soon also. We owe EVERYTHING to Mr. Rios. Don't waste your time going anyplace else. Mr. Rios is the master and the expert, that is why he is a law school professor! Thank you for everything Mr. Rios, you are our blessing and our angel. We will never forget you.

Very knowledgeable

Posted by

One of my friend recommended him to me. Mr. Rio has been handling my case of U visa. I did not had any prior knowledge of how it works, that being a victim of a crime can actually help me get the immigration status but after i consulted him on this he explained to me what is the process and also showed me how helping law enforcement on the case will benefit me. I must say from filing the application to the approval of the case, he has been very supportive. Even when i had and RFE (Request for evidence) in my case which is common in U visa, he handled it very carefully and replied right back to USCIS with the required documents in two days. He is very fast and accurate on his judgement to the case. At first i was very worried and impatient when an RFE came in my case but i would recommend to the folks who are reading this that leave your worries to him when you leave his office. It will also be sometimes hard to get hold of him but don't be impatient, he knows what is going on in your case and what is the best thing to do at that particular time. I would say Emailing him would be the best way to stay in touch with him. My brother in law gave a similar type of case to Mr. Rio and he also was able to successfully get his approval on the case. Thank you!

This is the most honorable lawyer I have ever met.

Posted by

I was in Mr. Rios office yesterday because we received the approval notice for my wife's case, a very hard case that other lawyers told me had no chance, and Mr. Rios won the case for us. I have known Mr. Rios for several years because he has done a lot of work for my family, and he has always been very honest, and has always told us the truth. I recommend Mr. Rios to all my friends. When I was in his office yesterday he seemed upset, and he told me that someone had written a bad review of him on this website. I read it and let me trell you what that person wrote is a lie. Mr. Rios is the most honorable man I know, and he is the best and most professional lawyer I have ever met. He is famous for always telling people the truth, and I recommend him as the best lawyer around anywhere.

Highly Recommended

Posted by

Mr. Rios was recommended by a fellow attorney, and he truly is the best immigration lawyer I've ever worked with. I was in a hopeless situation when my wife and I hired him, and he really began to shed light on my case, even during the first phone call. Unlike other attorneys that I have worked with in the past, Mr. Rios really cares about his client's well-being. He was always quick to respond to emails and phone calls when we had important questions. He is very knowledgeable about immigration law and in the end, provided an outcome better than expected. We were out-of-state clients, which worried me about hiring him for such an important case, but he kept my wife and I informed every step of the way, and his office staff was polite and efficient. I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Rios is perhaps one of the best, if not the best, immigration attorney in the country.

THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYER EVER

Posted by

WHEN YOU WANT RELIABLE,CONFIDENT,KNOWLEDGEABLE, TRUSTWORTHY PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN DOING HIS VERY BEST TO HELP YOU MR ARTURO R RIOS IS THE PERFECT MAN FOR THE JOB. WHEN MR RIOS TELL YOU SOMETHING DONT THINK ABOUT DOUBTING HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. HE GIVES YOU PEACE OF MIND THAT HE WILL. BELIEVE ME PEOPLE HE IS THE VERY BEST. I WILL FOREVER BE IN DEBT, FOREVER REMEMBER MR RIOS WHO HELP TO A PROMISING FUTURE , MR RIOS GOD BLESS YOU SIR. WHEN ALL MY HOPE, MY FAITH, CONFIDENCE WAS GONE. I HAVE GIVEN UP MR RIOS GAVE ME ALL THAT BACK.TODAY I CAN SAY THANK YOU THANK YOU THEEEEEE BESTTTTT IMMIGRATION LAWYER EVER

BEST of the Best...

Posted by

Mr. Rios is in a class by himself. He was VERY highly recommended to me by people of influence and high status that I had come to know...when my citizenship application incurred a problem and was suddenly halted. I still interviewed 3 attorneys, and when I spoke with Mr. Rios, I instantly realized why he is so highly rated. Not only in the Tampa Bay Area, but in the entire country. Questions that no attorney could answer me, even when consulting their books... Mr. Rios answered without hesitation. Although not necessary at the end for my defense, Mr. Rios found and old and obscure law that when he presented it to the Judge as one of the possible defenses we were contemplating, even the Judge reacted with a surprised look, almost in disbelief, for apparently... not many attorneys know of this law. Mr. Rios is not only highly accredited, but respected and admired by his peers. His courtroom manners are impeccable and that has led to his success and respect he rightly has won. Aside from being extremely knowledgeable, Mr. Rios is amicable and empathetic. Qualities that make working with him a pleasant experience. In conclusion, while all other attorneys expressed dimmed hopes and/or undesirable outcomes for me, Mr. Rios was able to have my removal/deportation not only canceled, but with a return to the citizenship process that I had started years ago. Do not hesitate to retain Mr. Rios. If you don't retain him, you most likely will regret it later!
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Attorney endorsements

(15)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Osvaldo Valladares, Immigration Attorney on Dec 16, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Christian Zeller, Immigration Attorney on May 31, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Arturo. He is an impressive attorney who knows how to get results. He and his family are dedicated to justice and rights for immigrants. He is an outstanding lawyer.

David Ristoff, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. As a fellow lawyer I am asked to recommend friends and clients to an immigration lawyer. I always recommend Arturo. He is very bright, compassionate and extremely hard working.

Christopher Leroi, Mediation Attorney on Aug 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Rios is an exceptional attorney. I have been an attorney for 24 years and served as a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, law professor, and private attorney. However, even with all of that experience, I learn from his answers on Avvo each and every day. If you have the chance, hire him in an instant.

Juan Escobar, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Arturo Rios is extremely knowledgeable in the field of Immigration law. I highly recommend his services.

Vilma Martinez, Litigation Attorney on Feb 20, 2013
Relationship: Other

Art is an exceptional lawyer who specializes in Immigration practice. I have had the privilege of referring several individuals to Art who have been pleased with the quality of his work. Importantly, Art understands that Immigration law is a practice area that is fraught with anxiety and uncertainty and clients who have met with him have reported to me that he handles their cases with senstivity and careful attention. A consummate professional.

Jeremy Donnelly, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 20, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Attorney Rios contacted me to assist him in appearing pro hac vice in an immigration matter in Connecticut. Art was everything you could ever want in a lawyer: professional, intelligent, knowledgeable, passionate. I can't imagine recommending anyone else in an immigration matter.

Steven Jackson, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 23, 2011
Relationship: Other

I highly recommend this attorney. They are extremely well qualified technically and constantly striving to become better educated to provide better professional services for their clients.

Robert Kelly, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 9, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rios provides good legal information and practical legal knowledge. His clients are fortunate to have retained him.

Linda Rahal, Immigration Attorney on Mar 9, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Arturo Rios is a preeminent immigration and deportation defense attorney in Florida. He excels at trial advocacy. As his colleague in the immigration bar doing primarily business immigration, I have Mr. Rios on my referral short list for any immigration cases needing deportation defense or trial work.

George Fernandez, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 4, 2011
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rios is a very experienced and talented immigration attorney.

Gary Williams, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 4, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Rios is one of the very few attorneys who is actually worthy of a "10" rating. He is an excellant attorney who is not only understands the law but who also goes to the trouble to understand his clients and their needs for legal assistance. I send any client I encounter with an immigration issues directly to Arturo. I refer my immigration clients to Mr. Rios knowing that they are in good hands.

J Morse, Car accident Attorney on Mar 4, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

James Frazier, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 4, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've had the opportunity to know Mr. Rios and I believe he is a knowledgeable, trustworthy member of the legal community who provides excellent representation to his clients.

Darren Finebloom, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 15, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. I can't say enough about what a great lawyer Arturo is. I had a case where my client was faced with the hard reality of being deported. With the help of Mr. Rios we were able to prevent that from hapepning. I highly recommend him whenever I have a client faced with immigration problems.

Legal guides written by Arturo Rios

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