If you are looking for a top-rated immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, you have come to the right place! Generally speaking, immigration law is the regulation or statutes of the nation, including legal precedents and national regulations. It is often confused with citizenship and naturalization, but they are different.
Family visas
Obtaining family visas under immigration law can be a complicated process. You’ll have to meet minimum requirements, submit to medical exams and vaccinations, and sign affidavits of support. Find out how to change your status from F-1 to marriage green card.
Family-based immigrant visas are granted to relatives of lawful permanent residents. These visas are available in the following categories:
The first category is the immediate relative category. This includes unmarried children under age 21, spouses, parents, and grandparents of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives do not have numerical limitations on the number of visas they can receive.
The second category is the family preference category. This category includes children of Legal Permanent Residents, as well as spouses and parents of permanent residents. There is a cap on the number of family preference immigrant visas that can be issued each year. This means that you may have to wait awhile to get yours.
The third category is the employment-based category. This category includes fiance visas, as well as student and temporary worker visas. The annual quota for these categories is limited, and some people wait up to 18 years to secure their visas.
The fourth category includes adult siblings of U.S. citizens. These siblings have special immigration priority. These individuals can apply for green cards, even though they aren’t legally married to a U.S. citizen.
The family-based immigrant visa process is similar to the marriage visa process. You’ll need a US citizen sponsor and a family member or beneficiary. You can sponsor a relative, or you can become a sponsor. In either case, you’ll have to meet the minimum income requirements and sign an affidavit of support.
The family-based immigrant passport is a good idea, but the family-based immigration process can be a confusing mess. A family immigration lawyer can help you navigate the process.
Non-immigrant visas
Basically, non-immigrant visas are the permits that allow people to enter the United States and engage in certain activities. The requirements for non-immigrant visas are different from those of immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas are available for individuals, businesses and other entities.
Non-immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States for a temporary stay. The duration of the stay is determined by the non-immigrant visa’s purpose. Generally, the duration can vary from six months to a year. Non-immigrant visas are issued for short-term travel, business, study, or pleasure. Generally, dependent children may accompany non-immigrant visa holders.
In order to apply for a non-immigrant visa, you must first complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-161) and then attend an interview. You must also provide proof of ties to your home country. Misrepresentation of your credentials could lead to a permanent bar from entry.
Non-immigrant visas may be granted to workers, business visitors, students, tourists, and other individuals. There are several different types of non-immigrant visas. These include the J and Q visas, which promote exchange of culture and ideas. There are also several J-1 visas for foreign visitors, scholars, and interns. There are also various H visas for highly skilled workers and other types of visas for less skilled workers.
Non-immigrant visas vary in length, but generally, they can be extended several times. There are also a number of categories of non-immigrant visas, which are designated based on the purpose of the visit. There are also many temporary nonimmigrant worker visas available.
Most non-immigrant workers must work for an employer that petitioned the U.S. government. These types of visas have individualized requirements, qualifications, and costs.
Refugees
Those seeking asylum are considered refugees in immigration law. They are not necessarily fleeing danger, but rather are outside their country of nationality due to persecution.
There are a variety of reasons people leave their country. Some are seeking protection, others are seeking work or studies, or they may simply want to build a new life in a different country.
The Cartagena Declaration defines a refugee as a person who has been forced to flee their home. The American Convention on Human Rights includes a section on free movement. However, these do not exactly translate to a right to seek asylum in another country.
Modern refugee law originated in the aftermath of World War II. There is a wide range of different resources based on this concept. Some states have been granting protection to refugees for centuries. Others have adopted detention of refugees.
However, there are no universal laws on the topic. Some states require asylum seekers to provide supporting evidence for their claims. The US Board of Immigration Appeals has tended to take a more conservative view.
The best way to find out if you are eligible to receive protection is to make a formal application for asylum. The application will be assessed by an official in the government department tasked with evaluating the merits of your case.
To qualify as a refugee in immigration law, the applicant must be able to demonstrate a credible fear of persecution. This must be based on factors such as race, religion, or membership in a social group.
The CAT and CRC are measures to assess whether an applicant meets the criteria for protection. Those who meet health requirements will be granted protection visas.
Temporary protected status (TPS)
Currently, there are three different kinds of immigration status that may be available to foreign nationals. One of these is Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This is a temporary visa that allows immigrants who have been displaced by disaster or war to remain in the United States for a limited period of time.
TPS was created in 1990 under immigration law. In order to qualify, applicants must be stateless and have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least six months. In order to be considered for TPS, applicants must not have engaged in terrorist activities or persecuted others.
Temporary Protected Status is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Department of Homeland Security. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to designate countries for TPS. However, consultations with other government agencies are not always required. Some of these consultations involve the Department of State.
TPS differs from asylum in several ways. One of the main differences is that TPS is not a derivative of asylum. If an individual is determined to be a national security threat, they may be denied TPS. Also, people who have been convicted of serious crimes are not eligible.
People in these countries are at risk of conflict-related violence and human rights violations. For example, civilians in Syria have fled their homes due to the threat of violence and food scarcity. In addition, children may be separated from their parents, which could affect their development.
There are currently 15 countries on the list of TPS eligible countries. This includes countries that are still active and those that have been recently re-designated. However, the expiration date for recent designations may not be known yet.
Legal assistance with an immigration issue
Having legal assistance with an immigration issue can be the difference between being sent back to a dangerous country or a safe haven. Fortunately, there are several agencies available to help you navigate the immigration process. They can help you find the right lawyer for your case, get a green card, and even help you reunite with your family. The best part is, you don’t have to pay a fortune.
The Legal Aid Society is a not-for-profit law firm that represents low-income individuals and families. Their New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NIFUP) provides legal representation to low-income immigrants in New York’s immigration courts. Their lawyers have been praised for their work by both immigrants and the courts.
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs has also put out a useful list of tips and tricks to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. The agency also has an excellent bilingual resource directory to point you in the right direction. It isn’t uncommon for immigrant families to be victims of fraudulent “attorneys” who charge an arm and a leg to represent their cases.
The Legal Aid Society also has a full-service law firm that provides free legal representation to immigrants. They also run a city-wide immigration law unit to help immigrants navigate the legal system and ensure that low-income individuals and families are properly represented in court.
In addition to the many legal resources available to immigrants, there are numerous organizations that provide support to immigrant families. These can range from free legal services, to bilingual resource directories, to legal training sessions for parents and children. The most important thing to remember is to be alert to fraudulent practitioners.