The Immigration and Nationality Act(INA) is the body that governs the legal aspects of immigration into the US. According to US immigration laws, once an individual obtains an immigration visa, he gets the LPR or Lawful Permanent Resident status.
People with LPR status can stay permanently in the US and can apply for all legitimate jobs. Those with the LPR status can apply for US citizenship after residing in the country for a minimum of 5 years.
Besides the LPR, non-immigrant visas are granted to non-citizens or visitors. Non-immigrant visas are given to students, tourists, etc.
There are 5 types of immigrants in the US:
1. Citizens: A US citizen is an individual who was born in the US or became a naturalized citizen after living in the US for 3 or 5 years.
2. Conditional Residents: These are individuals who receive their green card before completing two years of marriage. Conditional residents and their spouses need to jointly file for removal of the condition within two years of receiving the green card.
3. Permanent Residents: Also known as legal permanent residents are residents who have received their green card and are authorized to live and work in the US.
4. Non-immigrants: They are persons who are living in the country temporarily. They are given visas like F-1 visas for students or B1/B2 visas for business purposes, etc.
5. Undocumented: They are individuals who are living illegally in the country. They will be unable to live temporarily or permanently. They don’t have legal rights to work in the country.
The US immigration laws are very complex. Even a minor mistake in visa or green card application can have grave consequences. It could result in denial of visa or delays in the processing. This is where the role of immigration lawyer becomes significant. An immigration lawyer is knowledgeable about the intricacies of immigration laws and can help immigrants complete the immigration process seamlessly.
When you are migrating to the US from another country, it is not possible for you to be aware of all details of immigration laws. Besides, immigration laws frequently undergo changes.
Role of an Immigration Lawyer:
- An immigration lawyer interprets the relevant laws according to your immigration status. He helps you analyze your rights, possibilities, and your limitations as per your status.
- He can guide you on how to sponsor a family member or an employee.
- Applying for different immigration statuses in the US requires detailed paperwork. An immigration lawyer takes care of the complicated paperwork and ensures that you have all your documents in order.
- The information you present in your applications needs to be clear and consistent. Immigration lawyers ensure that all the information is clear, correct, and consistent.
- An experienced immigration lawyer is aware of how the immigration system works. He knows about the difficulties and delays in the process. He ensures that the process does not get delayed because of legal technicalities by taking care of all details.
These are some reasons that you need to hire an immigration lawyer if you intend to migrate to the US. Find the best Immigration lawyers at Ward K Johnson Law Firm!