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What Is Immigration Law
Immigration law encompasses a wide range of cases that involve a person from a foreign country coming to the United States, either for a temporary visit, or with the intent for a permanent residence (as a legal permanent resident or as a citizen). U.S. Immigration Law is governed by four main ideals:
To bring foreign nationals who can use their skills to contribute to the U.S. economy
To unify families that have been separated
To protect people at risk and refugees
To increase diversity
Although Immigration Law changes constantly, there generally are three main types:
Family-based immigration
Employment-based immigration
Humanitarian immigration
Family-Based Immigration
According to the U.S. Immigration Law, immigrant workers can legally stay in the country on a permanent or temporary placement. Depending on the type of work, there are different visas for engineers, farmworkers, athletes, and other types of occupations. People who receive a work visa are often sponsored by a specific employer, which means that if they lose that job, they could potentially lose their visa. You can turn to an immigration lawyer in these and other work visa-related situations.
If you are a foreign student on a student visa, it may be possible to convert your student visa into an employment-based one.
Humanitarian Immigration
Immigration Law offers protection to individuals who immigrate for humanitarian reasons. For example, if a refugee’s homeland is too unstable to return, or there is the possibility of persecution, they may be allowed to stay in the United States. Individuals must usually file this type of immigration petition in their native country.
Similarly, individuals who are already in the U.S. can seek asylum. If you are a refugee, you need to petition for asylum within the first year of arriving in the country. An immigration lawyer can help you draft a petition for asylum or refugee status.
What Can an Immigration Lawyer Do For You?
Frequently Asked Questions
Green cards are issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (the USCIS). They provide proof of lawful permanent resident status which means you can live and work anywhere in the United States.
There are several reasons the U.S. government can deny your green card application. This includes missing documents, mistakes in the paperwork, failure to prove eligibility, and insufficient financial resources.
If you already have a valid work visa (like the L-1 or H-1B visas), you can. But if you don’t have a work permit, you can’t apply for a green card.
Legal Chiefs is here to help you find the right immigration attorney for your case in a timely and efficient manner. Our goal is to make your experience as hassle-free as possible.