Immigration Law

Does your immigration status worry you? Do you find the current immigration laws confusing?

An immigration lawyer can help file your paperwork and defend you if you face deportation orders.

What Is Immigration Law?

Immigration law dictates who can live and work in the United States of America. It also involves the naturalization process for permanent residents who wish to become United States citizens.

Which Government Agencies Enforce Immigration Law?

Multiple federal government agencies oversee immigration law in the United States. Here are the three major federal agencies:

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces immigration law
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles applications to become workers, residents, or citizens
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains and strengthens the country’s borders.

How Does Immigration Into the U.S. Work?

Immigrating to the United States requires several applications. Additionally, immigration regulations change constantly, so we recommend hiring an immigration lawyer.

Types Of Immigration

Family-Based Immigration

This is the most common type of immigration. It involves an eligible family member filing a petition. United States citizens can file on behalf of anyone considered an immediate relative. However, permanent residents and other migrants may face more restrictions.

Those seeking immigration who aren’t immediately related are subject to further review. This puts your immigration application into a pool with applied preferences.

Preferential treatment goes to those who are under 21 and unmarried. On the other hand, less preference is given to older relatives of those filing a petition. It can take years for these kinds of applicants to get a visa.

Employment-Based Immigration

This is a temporary visa given to those seeking work or business opportunities in America. Employment-based immigration is a broad category with many different categories. Some of these include (but are not limited to):

• Visas for athletes or entertainers
• Diplomatic employees visas
• Visas for religious workers
• Visas for employees in specific industries, such as healthcare and agriculture

In these cases, a specific employer sponsors the immigrant. Once the temporary window closes, the company can make the status permanent. Some business owners and investors can also sponsor themselves via their companies.

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

There are special conditions where immigrants may legally enter and remain in the United States. These situations can involve people fleeing persecution or who cannot return to where they came from due to unsafe conditions. The President, in coordination with Congress, dictates how many people can be granted refugee status.

People who fear persecution upon returning to their country may seek asylum from the United States. There is currently no mandated limit on how many people can be granted asylum or how long their period of asylum lasts in Immigration Law.

The Difference Between a Visa and a Green Card

A visa allows you to enter the United States and remain for a certain period. However, a green card allows you to enter and stay for as long as you want. Permanent residents are people who hold green cards.

Non-Immigrant Visas

Non-immigrant visas are for people who plan to leave once their term has elapsed. Typically, these types of visas do not lead to permanent residency. Examples include tourist visas, student visas, and work visas.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas offer the opportunity for permanent residency in the United States. You might become eligible for a green card with an immigrant visa. However, these visas are harder to obtain and require someone to vouch for you.

The Role of Immigration Lawyers

Immigration lawyers advocate for you and provide advice through the immigration application process. Matters that typically need the service of an immigration lawyer are extensive. These are deportation issues, green cards, citizenship, naturalization, employment, and visa or green card applications.

Most immigration lawyers do not spend much time in court. Instead, they mediate between their clients and immigration services. More specifically, they deal with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

It is not impossible to find an immigration lawyer in a trial. In some cases, immigration lawyers can appear before a judge. They defend their clients facing a hearing over some type of legal issue relating to their immigration status.

When Should I Consider Hiring an Immigration Attorney?

Hiring an immigration lawyer is not always necessary, but it is recommended to help put your best application forward. Even so, there are some instances where hiring an immigration attorney becomes almost mandatory:

• The applicant was convicted of a crime.
• Prior applications have been denied.
• The applicant has previously been deported or barred entry from the United States.
• The waiting period for an application has taken unreasonably long.
• The applicant is seeking an employment visa but the employer refuses to help.
• The applicant’s previous status depended on a marriage that ended in divorce. You need to prove there was no fraudulent activity.
• The child of an applicant is close to reaching the age of 21 before the granted application.
• The applicant is confused with the application process and unable to complete the paperwork.

Find an Immigration Lawyer Today!

Do you have any of the problems above or other immigration problems to resolve?

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 for a referral to an experienced lawyer in your area!