Immigration Law
The Firm’s Immigration Practice Group provides immigration planning, legal advice, document preparation, translation, and solutions for immigration issues pertaining to the following areas:
- Immediate Family Immigration
- Extended Family Immigration
- Religious Worker Immigration
- Canadian TN Visas
- Inbound Investment Visas
- Naturalization
Immediate Family Immigration
Individuals who are immediate family members of US citizens have immediate access to an immigrant visa in the United States once they have provided the bona fides of their relationship. Immediate family members are the spouse, children, and parents of a US citizen. A child under 21 and unmarried at the time of filing a petition is an immediate family member.
Extended Family Immigration
If the non-US citizen seeking an immigration benefit is not the spouse, child or parent of a US Citizen, the individual still may seek an immigration benefit provided he or she has a clearly defined relationship to the petitioning US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Religious Worker Immigration
The Firm has substantial experience in handling the petitions of religious organizations to bring in ministers, monks, nuns, and professional and non-professional religious workers. Lawful permanent resident status is available for defined classes of religious workers.
Canadian TN Visas
Canadians may present their credentials and an employment contract at the US port of entry and obtain TN status to enter and work in the United States in certain classifications. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Appendix 1603.d.1, lists the types of professionals and the qualifications that are needed for TN status.
Inbound Investor Visas
Most countries with which the United States trades have treaties of freedom, commerce, and navigation. These treaties provide that an inbound investor or an inbound marketer may qualify for an E-visa, which will permit them to reside in the United States for up to five years. These visas are quite complex, and the application procedure is subject to “consular absolutism,” as we view this matter as immigration lawyers.
Naturalization
Given the increased enforcement of US laws that allow the removal of lawful permanent residents if they violate certain laws, US citizenship has become a much more important feature of our law practice. Citizenship also confers a number of benefits, such as the ability to leave the US for a substantial period without seeking a returning resident visa. Naturalization petitions are not complicated to prepare, and the procedure is relatively safe provided the individual has the appropriate background for an application.
The members of the Immigration Practice Group are John C. Newman, Matthew D. Getty, and Kim J. Miller, Paralegal.