Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration Law. Former State Department Embassy Officer.Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration Law. Former State Department Embassy Officer.
I am an immigration attorney assisting clients with their immigration issues throughout the U.S. My training and experience working with the Department of State and USCIS at U.S. Embassies overseas allows me to review and evaluate a case from all angles. I am honored and pleased to be among the less than 3% of immigration attorneys in California Certified by the Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Immigration Law.
I draw upon over twelve years of experience in working with companies and immigrants to help them reach their U.S. immigration goals. Our Firm is solely devoted to immigration law.
My practice areas are comprehensive employment, family, waiver, and investment-based immigration. I represent clients before USCIS and in Immigration Courts throughout the U.S., and before the State Department at U.S. Embassies worldwide. I have been called a “versatile, immigration problem solver” and a “dedicated advocate” by my clients. I have presented sucessful arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Prior to founding the firm, I was a Partner at a large Pasadena, CA immigration law firm. My U.S. government experience includes serving with the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer in Washington D.C. and at the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. I also worked with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and was a Law Clerk for the Federal Trade Commission, Northeast Region (NYC) and the Department of Justice (Honolulu).
I was admitted to the California Bar in 2004 and am also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. I am an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Orange County and Los Angeles County Bar Associations. I frequently speak on immigration issues throughout Southern California and my weekly column appears in the Asian Journal.
Our Law Firm's Practice Areas:
Employment/corporate immigration: NIV Status/Visas (H-1B, L-1, E), IV petitions (EB-1/2/3), PERM applications, complex RFE and audit responses, motions to reopen/reconsider.
Family-Based immigration: Adjustment of Status applications, consular processing, conditional residence petitions, naturalization applications, representation before the EOIR in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Immigration Waivers: Waivers of Inadmissibility (I-601) based on: Crimes, Unlawful Presence (I-601/I-601A) and Prior Deportation. The Waivers we handle are either filed before USCIS for AOS or overseas with immigrant visa applications.
Practice areas
The Khurgel Immigration Law Firm is devoted exclusively to immigration law and assists clients in employment and family-based immigration matters. The firm also provides deportation defense, Embassy visa and Waiver assistance and investment-based representation.
19 years
Languages spoken
English, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin
Khurgel Immigration Law Firm
University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550
Irvine, CA, 92612
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2004 | 06/13/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Certified Specialist - Immigration & Nationality Law | State Bar of California | 2016 |
Recognition | International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers | 2015 |
Recognition | International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers | 2014 |
Top Lawyer | OC Metro Magazine | 2014 |
Meritorious Honor Award | United States Department of State | 2013 |
2013 Client's Choice Award -- Immigration | Avvo | 2013 |
2013 Top Contributor - Immigration | Avvo | 2013 |
Meritorious Honor Award | United States Department of State | 2012 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner and Managing Attorney | Khurgel Immigration Law Firm | 2013 - Present |
Foreign Service Officer (Consular) | U.S. Department Of State | 2011 - 2013 |
Attorney, Partner | Reeves & Associates, APLC | 2006 - 2011 |
Consular Specialist | USCIS -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | 2005 - 2006 |
Law Clerk | U.S. Department Of Justice | 2001 - 2001 |
Law Clerk | U.S. Federal Trade Commission | 2001 - 2001 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association (National) | Member | 2009 - Present |
Orange County Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Southern California chapter) | Member | 2009 - Present |
United States District Court for the Central District of California | Attorney Member | 2008 - Present |
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit | Attorney Member | 2008 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 2004 - Present |
West Court Bar Association | Co-chair | 2013 - 2013 |
American Foreign Service Association | Member | 2011 - 2013 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Asian Journal and www.khurgel.com | 10 Things to Know About Your Immigration Court Hearing | 2013 |
AVVO Legal Guides | The Disappearing Employer: What if my Petitioning Company is Sold? | 2013 |
AVVO Legal Guides | F-2A Immigration Classification to Open for Spouses and Children of Lawful Residents | 2013 |
AVVO Legal Guides | Supreme Court Provides Relief for Same-sex bi-national Couples | 2013 |
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor | U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices (2012) | 2013 |
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor | U.S. Department of State Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom (2012) | 2013 |
Asian Journal and www.khurgel.com | Sweethearts vs. U.S. Immigration Law | 2013 |
Philippine News | USCIS clarifies immigration eligibility for family of the deceased | 2011 |
Asian Journal | Immigration Benefits for Same Sex Partners | 2011 |
Moldova.org | Immigration Consequences of Marriage Fraud | 2009 |
Moldova.org | Foreign Workers and Navigating the Rough Seas of U.S. Immigration | 2009 |
Asian Journal | What Every non-citizen Should Know Before Traveling | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Pepperdine University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2002 |
Pepperdine University School of Law | Certification in Dispute Resolution | 2002 |
California State University, Long Beach | BA - Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude | 1999 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Institute for Supply Management | U.S. Immigration Tips and Pointers for HR Personnel | 2015 |
KUCI's Ask a Leader Radio Show | Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Immigration Reform | 2013 |
Irvine Club | Comprehensive Immigration Reform post-Shutdown | 2013 |
Advanced Topics for Immigration Practitioners Webinar | Dual Representation Pitfalls for Lawyers | 2013 |
Advanced Topics for Immigration Practitioners Webinar | Waved in as Admission Under 245(a) per Areguillin and Quilantan | 2013 |
The Immigration Experts, Season One -- Television Show | Immigrant Visas at Embassies and Consulates | 2010 |
The Immigration Experts, Season One -- Television Show | I-751 Removal of Conditions and Waiver of Joint Spouse Filing Requirement | 2010 |
USCIS Rome District Meeting | USCIS Processing of I-407s, I-130s and Refugees at the Embassy in Moscow | 2005 |
Naturalization Today | Naturalization -- Residence and GMC | 2005 |
Naturalization Today | Pro Bono Naturalization Seminar | 2004 |
ADR Society Meeting | ADR in Religious Conflicts | 2002 |
ADR Society Meeting | ADR in Cross-cultural Conflicts | 2001 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
I-601(A) Provisional Waiver Approved | Approved |
BIA remands an appeal of I130 visa petition denial | BIA remands an appeal of I130 visa petition denial |
Successor-in-interest I-140 Approval | I-140 approved after RFE response |
Good Faith Marriage Waiver | Success |
Employment-based Immigration | Success |
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Anu Gupta, Immigration Attorney on Jul 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Mr. Khurgel with pleasure. Jeff's answers on Avvo demonstrate his legal expertise, skill and the fact that he genuinely cares about his clients. An excellent attorney!
Jeremiah Johnson, Immigration Attorney on Feb 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jeff is known for hard work and commitment to his clients. He combines the experience and professionalism you would expect from a large firm with individualized, personal service.
Howard Lewis, Immigration Attorney on Jul 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Khurgel is one of the finest Immigration attorneys in his state, I highly recommend his legal services.
Lorena Espinoza, Immigration Attorney on May 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I had the pleasure to work with Jeff on a matter and I was very impressed with his level of professionalism. He seems to be a very dedicated attorney who genuinely cares for his clients.
Eitan Magendzo, Immigration Attorney on Jan 22, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jill Rogers, Unknown Attorney on Jan 20, 2015
Relationship: Other
This lawyer is highly recommended in the community. I endorse this lawyer.
Svetlana Kaff, Immigration Attorney on Dec 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He is very experienced and knowledgeable!
Sean Cleary, Immigration Attorney on Dec 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community.
Michael Shabani, Immigration Attorney on Dec 14, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He is though, through and talented member of our legal community. I am proud to endorse Mr. Khurgel.
Douglas Borthwick, Immigration Attorney on Nov 25, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Ruttle, Immigration Attorney on Oct 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jeff is a great mentor for newer attorneys, like myself. He's always willing to lend his expert advice. I endorse this lawyer.
Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Sep 30, 2014
Relationship: Other
I not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!
Paul Molinaro, Immigration Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Thomas Fasel, Immigration Attorney on Jul 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Shawn Meade, Immigration Attorney on Jul 15, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Hovanes Margarian, Immigration Attorney on Jul 9, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Gina Famularo, Immigration Attorney on Jun 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
David Pittman, Immigration Attorney on Jun 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jennifer Ahn, Immigration Attorney on Jun 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Jeff Kurghel provides accurate, valuable, and thoughtful legal advice. His knowledge and contributions to the legal community are stellar.
John O'Brien, Immigration Attorney on May 14, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.
Jon Dieringer, Immigration Attorney on Mar 12, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney KhurgeI provided clear insight on a complex immigration issue, and he really knows his stuff. So now he is my 'go-to' immigration expert. I am happy to endorse this lawyer.
Erin Lee, Unknown Attorney on Feb 13, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
Jeff is very professional and knowledgeable in all immigration matters. He provides amazing service and insight. I absolutely endorse this lawyer.