Immigration Law in Missoula, MT
Does your immigration status worry you? Do you find the current immigration laws confusing? A Missoula, Montana immigration lawyer can help correctly file all your paperwork. An immigration attorney can also defend you if you face deportation orders.
What Is Immigration Law?
Immigration law deals with federal regulations dictating 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. For those who enter or remain in the country illegally or those who lose their status, U.S immigration law mandates their prosecution, detention, and possible deportation.
According to Montana Public Radio, there are no sanctuary cities in Montana. Moreover, Montana just passed a law that bans sanctuary cities in the state. The new law prohibits state agencies and local governments from adopting policies that block local law enforcement from detaining undocumented immigrants who are sought by federal authorities.
Which Government Agencies Enforce Immigration Law?
There are multiple federal government agencies that oversee immigration law in the United States. Here are the three major federal agencies:
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement: ICE investigates people who violate immigration laws and carries out enforcement.
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services: USCIS handles applications to become United States workers, residents, or citizens.
- Customs and Border Protection: CBP is tasked with maintaining and strengthening the country’s borders.
How Does Immigration Into the U.S. and Missoula, MT Work?
In order to legally immigrate into the United States, one must submit several different applications to the federal government. Immigration regulations can change constantly. We recommend hiring a Missoula, Montana immigration lawyer to help with the process. Note if immigration is the main practice area of a law firm.
According to Montana’s Attorney General, Montana joined a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its recent immigration policy. Specifically, Montana and Arizona are challenging the DHS Memorandum, called the 100-day Pause on Removals. This halt on deportation would also apply to those charged with or convicted of crimes.
Types Of Immigration
Family-Based Immigration
This is the most common type of immigration. It involves an eligible family member filing a petition on behalf of the individual seeking naturalization. U.S citizens can file a petition on behalf of anyone considered an immediate relative. However, permanent residents and other migrants may face additional restrictions.
Those seeking immigration who aren’t immediately related to the person filing a petition on their behalf 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 obtain 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 typically sponsors the immigrant. Once the temporary window closes, the company can choose to make the immigrant’s status permanent. Some Missoula 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 International Rescue Committee (IRC) has more than 20 offices across the United States, including one in Missoula. The IRC provides support for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and other immigrants. As well, the IRC supports newly arrived refugees by providing immediate aid, including food, housing, and medical attention. In addition, the IRC’s New Roots program gives refugee farmers tools to grow food to become self-sufficient. In addition, Soft Landing Missoula provides a variety of services including English classes and home tutoring. They also strive to help refugee chefs work towards licensing their own businesses.
The Difference Between a Visa and a Green Card
A visa allows you to enter the U.S and remain for a certain period of time. 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 types of visas for people who are planning on leaving once their term has elapsed. These types of visas do not lead to permanent residency unless the person has another qualifying reason. For example, this includes tourist visas, student visas, and work visas.
Immigrant Visas
Immigrant visas offer the opportunity for permanent residency in the United States. If you have an immigrant visa, you might become eligible for a green card. However, these visas are harder to obtain and require someone to vouch for you via petition by a qualifying U.S. person.
The Role of Missoula, MT Immigration Lawyers
Missoula, Montana immigration lawyers serve as advisors that guide applicants throughout the immigration application process. Matters that typically invoke the service of an immigration lawyer are extensive. These are deportation issues, green cards, citizenship, naturalization, employment, and visa or green card applications.
You will not typically find immigration lawyers in court dealing with cases. Instead, they serve as mediators between their clients and the U.S immigration services. Specifically, Missoula, MT immigration lawyers deal with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department.
The ACLU Montana, based in Missoula, works for immigrants’ rights through litigation and legislative advocacy. In 2013, the ACLU Montana, worked with allied organizations to defeat two anti-immigrant bills in the Montana Legislature. In Missoula, the Internal Rescue Committee’s Policy and Advocacy Team focuses on immigration reform at the federal level. Especially with the launch of their Refugee Advocacy Lab.
When Should I Consider Hiring A Missoula, MT Immigration Attorney?
Hiring an immigration lawyer in Missoula, Montana is not always necessary. But 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 facilitate the process.
- The applicant’s previous status was based on marriage but that marriage resulted in divorce. You need to prove there was no fraudulent activity.
- The child of an applicant is close to reaching the age of 21 prior to the granted application. There are different provisions for people under the age of 21.
- The applicant is confused with the application process. The applicant is unable to complete the paperwork on their own.
Do you suffer from any of the problems above or have other immigration problems to resolve? If so, we can help connect you with the right Missoula, MT attorney to help you navigate this complicated legal system. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Montana state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
