Law Library Articles
Top 10 Immigration Law Articles
For many people, America means the promise of a better life, a life free from dictators, starvation, and war. This desire for a better future can cause them to do desperate things in order to live in this country. Luckily for those interested in entering the country through official and less life threatening channels, the LegalMatch Law Library has compiled a list of the Top 10 Articles on Immigration Law.
1. Understanding Immigration Laws
For people interested in coming to America and living in the country permanently, they usually have to apply for an immigrant visa. If they are not interested in living in America permanently, but are here to study or do business, they can usually apply for a nonimmigrant visa.
2. What is Immigration Court?
Immigration court is a specialty court that has the authority to grant citizenship to immigrants or to deport them. Most people facing deportation are brought to immigration court where they are tried before a judge and can be represented by an attorney.
3. Working with an Immigration Attorney
Even though there are no laws that one must go through an immigration attorney when applying for citizenship or residency, it is still best to hire one due to complexity of immigration law.
4. The Role of Immigration Lawyers
Immigration lawyers make the process of applying for citizenship easier and less troublesome. They are especially needed if the applicant has any factors that might affect his or her eligibility to become a citizen.
5. Permanent Visas or Green Cards
A permanent visa, also called a green card, allows you to remain permanently in the U.S. as a resident. There are many different types of visas and depending on the type you are applying for it make take some time to be issued a visa as there are quotas.
6. Green Card Renewal
A green card allows one to live and work permanently in the U.S., however, they do have an expiration date. Green cards are usually valid up to ten years and it is recommended that you start your renewal process at least 6 months before your green card is set to expire.
7. Traveling Outside the U.S. Without a Green Card
If your green card application is still pending and you wish to travel abroad, you will then need to apply for a temporary travel document called an advance parole. An advanced parole is usually only granted in limited cases.
8. Advance Parole: Traveling Abroad with a Pending Immigration Application
An advance parole is a temporary travel document granted to those who need to travel outside the U.S. while their immigration application is still pending. It is only granted in limited circumstances, usually involving an emergency or if there is a serious compelling interest.
9. Divorce and Immigration
A foreign national can obtain U.S. citizenship by marrying a U.S. citizen. Sometimes, however, the marriage may not work out and the couple may divorce. In instances of divorce, depending on the length of the marriage and whether or not the foreign national was issued a green card, the foreign national might not be able to stay in the country after a divorce.
10. Immigration and Crimes of Moral Turpitude
When applying for citizenship a background check is common. If a foreign national has committed a crime of moral turpitude, most likely his or her immigration application will be denied and if he or she is in the US currently, the foreign national will most likely be deported.
