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?

Immigration lawyers represent individuals and/or businesses before the Board of Immigration Appeals, in Immigration Courts, federal circuit courts, and the USCIS. Their job is to interpret the law, help you understand your rights, analyze your possibilities, and guide you through every step of the immigration case, regardless of the specific circumstances. They are often in charge of drafting the paperwork on your behalf (or your employer’s behalf) and will tell you exactly what type of documents you need to supply, such as birth certificates and proof of marriage.
Your immigration lawyer will collect all necessary documents, prepare statements and testimony that are correct, consistent, and clear. Many immigration applications depend on how you explain your story, which is why working with an experienced attorney can make all the difference.