Questions About Citizenship? Talk to an Immigration Lawyer Near You.
Immigration laws determine who can enter the country and for how long. In addition, they govern naturalization for those wishing to become a U.S. citizen. Finally, they determine detention and removal proceedings for those entering the country illegally, overstaying, or losing their legal status. So if you have questions about immigration, it's crucial to reach out to an immigration lawyer near you to follow legal regulations.
Four principles govern U.S. immigration law:
- Reunification of families
- Admitting immigrants with skills valuable to the U.S. economy
- Protecting refugees
- Promoting diversity
The Immigration and Nationality Act Governs Immigration Law
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories. However, it sets no limit on the annual admission of U.S. citizens' spouses, parents, and children under 21. In addition, each year, the President consults with Congress to establish the yearly number of refugees to be admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
A person becomes a lawful permanent resident (LPR) after obtaining an immigration visa and entering the United States. But in some circumstances, noncitizens already inside the United States get LPR status through "adjustment of status."
LPRs can apply for mostly all jobs (i.e., jobs not legitimately restricted to U.S. citizens) and remain in the country permanently, even when unemployed. After residing in the United States for five years (or three years in some circumstances), LPRs can apply for U.S. citizenship. However, an immigrant cannot apply for citizenship without first becoming an LPR.
A lawyer for immigration at a local law office can comply with all regulations.
The Numbers Governing Immigration Law
As mentioned, the INA allows up to 675,000 immigrants each year. An immigration lawyer can help you wade through the numbers to determine your opportunity to enter the country.
Here's how those numbers breakout:
Family-Based Immigration
Congress established a complex formula to balance the number of immigrants arriving in family relationships. First, it starts with 480,000 representing the maximum number allocated for family-based immigrants.
Next, it subtracts the number of immediate relative visas from the previous year. The number of aliens paroled into the U.S. Unused employment preference numbers gets added to establish the number of visas available through the family preference system.
That number, however, cannot be lower than 226,000. Because the number of immediate relatives often exceeds 250,000 in a given year, it triggers the 226,000 minimum for preference visas. As a result, the total number of family-based visas often exceeds 480,000.
Employment-Based Immigration
Employment-based immigration falls into two categories – temporary visa classifications and permanent immigration. The former permits employers to hire and petition for immigrants for specific jobs covering a limited timeframe. More than 20 types of visas apply to this category.
The latter limits permanent employment to 140,000 annually. That number includes eligible spouses and minor unmarried children. Consequently, the actual number of employment-based immigrants is less than 140,000.
Per-County Ceiling
The INA limits the number of immigrants from a single country to seven percent during a year. As a result, that number seeks to eliminate any one country from dominating immigration flows.
Refugees and Asylees
The Trump administration set the ceiling for 2021 to 15,000. But, the Biden administration increased it to 62,500. Refugee admissions attempt to eliminate concerns about individuals returning to their country where they might face persecution owing to race, social group membership, political opinion, religion, or nationality.
Diversity Visa Program
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allocates 55,000 visas each year. The program uses a computer-generated lottery that allows nationals from countries that have sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the course of the last five years.
How Our Immigration Lawyers Can Help
Our immigration lawyers have you covered when it comes to immigration law. So if you're facing concerns or issues about immigration, make sure you reach out to one of our lawyers for immigration at our law firm with offices in Doylestown and Norristown, PA.
In addition to questions you might have about immigration law in general, we can also support you with these specific areas:
Green Card: Having a green card lets you live and work permanently in the United States. For example, our immigration lawyers can help you with your eligibility, application, green card replacement, and more.
Visa: If you're looking to enter the United States, you must first obtain a visa for your traveler's passport. U.S. immigration law defines the type of visa you need. Our local law firm can help.
DACA: DACA, or Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protects approximately 800,000 young people (DREAMers) entering the country unlawfully as children. Although you are not granted official legal status, the Dream Act does allow you to apply for a driver's license, social security number, and work permit.
Citizenship: Our immigration lawyers can help you navigate your path to U.S. citizenship, including applying understanding test questions and the naturalization process.
Naturalization: Naturalization grants lawful permanent residence to the United States following fulfillment of requirement established by Congress. Our immigration lawyers and attorneys can assist you those requirements including residence after five years, marriage to a U.S. citizen, military service, and being a child of a U.S. citizen.
Contact Our Lawyers for Immigration Today
Immigration law can be complex and daunting. Don't feel like you have to undergo any process without appropriate legal support. Talk to one of our immigration lawyers near you in the Doylestown and Norristown areas. We can give you proper counsel to ensure you understand and fulfill any obligations.
Our attorneys and lawyers can also deliver support for additional issues you might encounter like personal injury, workers' compensation, family law, and more. Give our local law offices a call. We're here to help.
Jeśli szukasz polskojęzycznego prawnika, który może pomóc Ci w Twojej sytuacji prawnej, rozważ skontaktowanie się z adwokatem imigracyjnym High Swartz, Renatą Pabisz. Renata sama emigrując z Polski rozumie proces imigracyjny i może skierować Cię do adwokata, który może pomóc w każdej sytuacji prawnej. Skontaktuj się z polskim prawnikiem w Filadelfii.
