Los Angeles Immigration Attorney
The United States of America is a country founded on the belief that everyone deserves certain human rights, and in that respect, the USA keeps its borders open for immigrants, but people cannot just simply waltz across the border and come into the country and expect to have all the rights of a U.S. Citizen. If you or someone you know wishes to come to the United States, as a permanent resident or even for a short amount of time, there are certain steps that need to be taken. Los Angeles, California, is a huge city with a very diverse population, and even if you think you know or someone told you something about immigration law, it is always in your best interest to consult a lawyer who specializes immigration cases.
Immigration laws are governed federally, which means they are the same in every single state; the laws cover the entire nation. Since 1952, the Immigration Nationality Act (INA) has governed U.S. immigration law. There have been many amendments to the INA, and federal regulations cause changes to occur often as well. Because immigration law changes so rapidly and is considered one of the most complicated sections of U.S. law, it is important to have a lawyer who is familiar with the strategies needed for a person to come into the United States legally for whatever purpose.
Some of the information covered in the INA:
- Who is an immigrant and who is a citizen
- Who can enter the country from abroad
- Who must have a visa to enter the country
- How visas are defined and administered
- How immigrants are processed
- Which immigrants can be removed (deported) from the country
- What immigrants must do to maintain their legal status
- How immigrants can become permanent residents or naturalized citizens
- Who qualifies as a refugee or asylum recipient
The first thing a person looking to come into the United States would need to do is obtain a visa. This is usually filling out an application, or many applications, to the appropriate offices within the immigration departments of the government. Two of these groups are U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Both of these departments have many different offices around the United States, and in embassies around the world. If a person intends to remain in the United States for a long time, “permanent residence,“ that person would need to fill out the forms required to get a “green card.” Although a person with a green card cannot vote in elections in the United States, they have many of the same rights as U.S. citizens, but they also can be deported if they abuse their status.
There are also many countries that are a part of the Visa Waiver Program, which does not require a visa if you plan to stay 90 days or less and are from one of the countries included in the program. There are currently 35 countries that are a part of the VWP, but this program does not include the border countries of Canada and Mexico. As short term trips from these two countries occur more often than others, there is a special program in place for entry into the U. S. from one of the border countries. Generally a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card would be used for a citizen or permanent resident of Mexico coming to the U.S.
The situation and status of the United States has changed dramatically over the past 50 years since the Immigration Nationality Act was passed. Many amendments have been made to address issues of current events, and because of this, Immigration Law has become one of the most, if not the most, complicated section of U.S. Law. Protect yourself and find a Los Angeles immigration lawyer who can help you in the Los Angeles Lawyers 360 Directory today.