Dallas-Fort Worth Immigration Lawyer

An employment-based category is available for an individual who has already invested or plans to invest in a new commercial enterprise employing at least 10 full-time workers. This category allows such an investor to obtain permanent residency within a year.

In order to qualify as an investor, the foreign national must meet certain requirements as provided in the regulations.

First, the investor must invest or be actively in the process of investing at least $1,000,000 in the enterprise. The enterprise may be in the form of creating an original business, or purchasing an existing business and simultaneously or subsequently restructuring or reorganizing the business such that a new commercial enterprise results, or expanding an existing business by 140 percent of the pre-investment number of jobs or net worth, or retaining all existing jobs in a troubled business that has lost 20 percent of its net worth over the past 12 to 24 months. Instead of investing $1,000,000, the investor may opt to invest at least $500,000 where the investment is being made in a "targeted employment area," which is an area that has experienced unemployment of at least 150 per cent of the national average rate, or a rural area as designated by the Office of Management and Budget.

The source of funds must be obtained through lawful means, and the capital may be in the form of cash, equipment, inventory, certificates of deposit, treasury bonds, or other instruments that can be converted readily into cash. Since the rationale behind this category is to benefit the economy of the United States, the new commercial enterprise must create full-time employment for not fewer than 10 qualified individuals, or maintain the number of existing employees at no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least two years, where the capital investment is being made in a "troubled business," which is a business that has been in existence for at least two years and that has lost 20 percent of its net worth over the past 12 to 24 months. The investor must be active in the new commercial enterprise, and this requirement could be accomplished by participating in the day-to-day managerial control.

Once the above documentation is gathered, the foreign investor must file, on his or her own behalf, an Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur on Form I-526, with the Immigration Service. Once the petition is approved, the foreign national will go to the U.S. consulate in his or her country of residence, and will file an application for an immigrant visa. The foreign national will thereafter receive conditional residency. Conditional residency is the same as permanent residency, but it is used to deter visa fraud. The difference between conditional and permanent residency is that after a year and nine months, the investor has to file another petition to remove entrepreneur conditions on Form I-829. The petition is accompanied with supporting documentation of the aforementioned documents. Once the conditions are removed, the investor will become a permanent resident. After five years of being a permanent resident, the foreign national can apply for U.S. citizenship.

Please call us at 214-999-9999 for more information on how to obtain permanent residency for Investors.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 12:30 PM | Permalink

The Dallas Morning News today has a very interesting story about Oklahoma's tough anti-illegal-immigrant laws, and how those laws may provide templates for other states to follow. The article also notes several downsides of the tough laws, and emphasizes that while such laws might work in Oklahoma, a state with an estimated 7% Hispanic population, the situation would be much different in Texas, with an estimated 36% Hispanic population. Here are excerpts:

Welcome to the nation's laboratory for a crackdown on illegal immigration. Last year, Oklahoma's Legislature passed, by huge margins, the nation's toughest law on illegal immigrants, making it a felony to harbor, transport, shelter or conceal undocumented immigrants.

This summer, the same law also will allow U.S. citizens to sue employers if they think they were fired in favor of illegal workers. Employers in the state say they already see the results: "A total lack of workers," said Doug Forrest, a Tulsa site-preparation contractor and golf course builder. "This is potentially sending our state into a recession."

Proponents of the law don't see such economic harm.

Meanwhile, some Texas lawmakers are already promising bills that mirror Oklahoma's House Bill 1804.

State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, said the Oklahoma measure has proved that even as Congress deadlocks on immigration, a state can protect itself against what he calls threats to public health and safety posed by a porous border.

"You don't have to round up 20 million illegal aliens," Mr. Berman said. "Stop the two free benefits you're giving them - free health care and a free education - and they'll go back across the Rio Grande."

In December, Oklahoma Treasurer Scott Meacham said "some short-run pain" to that state's economy might occur, if reports of temporary labor shortages in construction, agriculture and oilfield services industries proved severe and long-lasting.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several Oklahoma business groups recently sued to overturn the law, saying it improperly steps on federal government turf.

Only one group has tried to track the law's effects on population. The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, after checking with schools, churches, and bus lines with service to Mexico, estimated that between 15,000 and 25,000 illegal immigrants have left Tulsa County since the law was passed.

Several Christian denominations have said they'll continue to urge parishioners to aid strangers, even though the law threatens those who transport or shelter "aliens" with at least one year in prison and/or at least a $1,000 fine.

In November, messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma passed a resolution saying the law "will not change their ministry to any people," according to the Southern Baptist group's Web site.

Last year, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a law that:

•Restricts illegal immigrants' access to driver's licenses and ID cards.

•Cuts off several forms of public assistance for illegal immigrants. Emergency medical care, disaster aid and certain immunizations are exempted.

•Makes it harder for illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition.

•Encourages state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.

•Makes it a felony to harbor, transport, conceal or shelter illegal immigrants.

•Requires state and local governments to use a federal database that allows them to check potential employees' work eligibility.

•Starting this summer, private employers and government contractors will have to verify employment eligibility of all new hires. Employers who don't could be sued.

This year, Oklahoma lawmakers are considering bills that would:

•Designate English as the state's official language.

•Let law enforcement seize the property of those who transport, hire or rent to illegal immigrants.

•Make public schools report how many illegal-immigrant children are enrolled.

•Repeal last year's law.

•Repeal all of last year's law, except for its ban on most public benefits.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 12:06 PM | Permalink

The O visa is a temporary visa designed for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or motion picture or television production, which has been demonstrated by sustained national and international achievements. The O visa allows these individuals to come to the United States to work for a U.S. employer in their areas of expertise.

To qualify for an O visa in "science, education, business or athletics," the foreign national must be one of the small percentage who have risen to the top of his or her field. Documentation may include three of the following:

• receipts of national or international awards in their field such as the Nobel Prize or other distinguished award;
• membership in organizations that require outstanding achievement;
• published materials about the foreign national;
• original scientific work of major significance in foreign national's field;
• evidence that the foreign national has been employed in a critical or essential capacity at an organization that has a distinguished reputation;
• evidence that the foreign national has commanded or will command a high salary
• letters of recommendation from experts in the field.

The U.S. employer will file a petition with the Citizenship & Immigration Services along with evidence illustrating the foreign national's extraordinary ability. Once the petition is approved, the foreign national may obtain the O visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their country of residence. Spouses and unmarried minor children may accompany the O visa holder but are unable to work in the United States. Since the O visa is temporary, it is issued initially for three years and may be extended in one year increments. The O visa allows the individual to apply for permanent residency.

If you meet the extraordinary ability requirements outlined above, please contact us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:25 AM | Permalink

As reported in the Houston Chronicle yesterday, a proposed regulation from the Labor Department could have the effect of reducing wages paid to legal immigrant farm workers. Here are excerpts from the story:

The Labor Department planned Wednesday to propose changes to the foreign agriculture worker program, among them how the base wages for H2-A visa holders are determined. Streamlining the hiring process for H2-A visa holders could help turn employers away from hiring illegal workers, officials said.

Right now, the base pay for H2-A agriculture workers is set by the Agriculture Department's Farm Labor Survey and varies by state. Within a state, the pay is the same regardless of what job a worker performs.

However, the Labor Department wants to use the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Survey, which would allow officials to consider what workers do and their skill levels. It also would allow officials to divide the country into more than 530 areas and to pay wages appropriate to each area.

Under the H-2A program, farmers may apply to bring in foreign workers if they can show the supply of U.S. workers is inadequate. The new regulations, which were to be proposed by the Labor and Homeland Security departments, would be the first changes to the H-2A visa system in 20 years.

More than half of U.S. farm workers admit on Labor Department surveys that they are not legally authorized to work. Some groups believe it's actually about 70 percent.

Employers consider the H2-A program burdensome and many hire undocumented workers rather than use it. Critics say employers don't like the program's wage, housing and other requirements. Labor officials plan to make the application process easier for employers wanting foreign farm workers.

The H-2A system requires that above-average wages -- called the adverse effect wage rate -- be paid to those workers.

In 2007, the highest adverse effect wage rate was $10.32 in Hawaii and the lowest was $8.27 in Arizona. In North Carolina, where the largest number of H-2A visas are issued, the adverse effect wage rate was $9.02.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:38 AM | Permalink

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (INA), stipulates that physicians who have entered the United States to undertake a J-1 graduate medical training or education program are uniformly subject to the obligation to return to their home country or country of last residence for a period of two years. INA §212(e). J-1 visa holders are eligible for waiver of the two-year home residence requirement based upon exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or child. INA §212(e). There are three other bases for filing a waiver to the two-year foreign residency requirement, but this discussion will be on the exceptional hardship waiver.

In determining a hardship waiver, exceptional hardship must be shown with respect to the U.S. citizen spouse or child in the event they remain in the United States and the foreign spouse returns to the home country. The applicant must also show hardship if the spouse or child accompany the foreign national abroad for two years.

Factors considered to form the basis of exceptional hardship include where the U.S. citizen spouse would be required to interrupt a professional career, suffer unemployment and separation of family.The country conditions to which the exchange visitor and the U.S. citizen or resident spouse would return must also be considered, particularly where they are shown to impact psychological and physical health. Other factors are considered to form the basis of a finding of exceptional hardship as well.

For example, where it is shown that the citizen spouse would suffer adverse consequences to their medical studies by the departure of their J-1 spouse, and that their career would be set back if he or she were either to interrupt their education or attempt to continue their studies in the spouse's country. Similarly, the threat of disruption of the education of an exchange visitor's spouse would constitute sufficient hardship to justify granting the waiver. In evaluating a claim of exceptional hardship, evidence of the disruption of the career or of the education of the U.S. citizen or resident spouse will be considered, along with other relevant factors mentioned above.

To learn more about waivers to the two-year foreign residency requirement, please call us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:16 AM | Permalink

The Dallas Morning News reports today that tougher anti-immigrant laws in nearby states are encouraging immigrants (legal and illegal) to move to Texas. Depending on your point of view, this is either bad for Texas taxpayers or good for Texas businesses. We're getting a lot of new labor into the Texas market, but for those who believe immigrants are a drain on state-provided services, it's not a positive development. I'm not one of those people, so I welcome the new residents. Here are excerpts:

Illegal immigrants are coming into Texas, but not from where most people think.

The rush is coming from Oklahoma, Arizona and other states, places that have recently passed tough new anti-illegal immigrant laws.

The Oklahoma statute, which took effect in November, makes it a crime to transport, harbor or hire illegal immigrants. Effective Jan. 1, the Arizona law suspends the business license of employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. On a second offense, the license is revoked.

In Tulsa, Okla., the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has estimated that 15,000 to 25,000 illegal immigrants have left the area. One builder estimated that 30 percent of the Hispanic workforce left Tulsa.

"There's been a tremendous impact in Oklahoma City," said David Castillo, the executive director of the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "We've had several companies close shop and leave the state. Banks have called us and say they're closing 30 accounts per week."

Enrique Hubbard, Mexico's consul general in Dallas, said a dozen Mexican families from Oklahoma have applied for consular documents listing their new homes in the Dallas area. He expects more to arrive because jobs are available in North Texas.

Texas' reputation as a welcoming destination has experts predicting more immigrants will come to Houston and other cities in the state. Texas has not passed any statewide law targeting the employment of undocumented workers.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 02:43 PM | Permalink

U.S. companies wanting to bring foreign nationals into the United States to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature may do so by demonstrating that no U.S. worker is willing, able, qualified, and readily available to perform such service or labor. Under the H-2A program, a U.S. employer must conduct serious recruitment, such as placing a job opening with the State Workforce Agency, and advertising in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of employment. After the recruitment period establishes that there are no U.S. workers capable of performing such agricultural service, and that the employment of the foreign nationals will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers, the employer will file a labor certification with the Department of Labor (DOL).

Once the DOL grants the labor certification, a petition for the foreign national to perform the agricultural labor/services of a temporary or seasonal nature is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An approved petition is then forwarded to the U.S. Consulate where the worker applied for the visa.

An H-2A visa is granted for up to a year and may be extended once for two years, for a maximum of three years. If you need more information regarding H-2A visas, please contact us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 06:17 AM | Permalink

U.S. citizens wishing to adopt an orphan from a foreign country may do so after meeting certain requirements. The child must first meet the definition of orphan. A child, who is under the age of 16, is an orphan due to the death or disappearance, abandonment, separation or loss of both parents, or if only one parent, then the one parent is unable to provide the proper care and in writing irrevocably releases the child for adoption. INA Section 101(b)(1)(F).

To begin the process of adopting an orphan, the U.S. citizen parents must first file I-600A, which is the advanced processing application that permits adopting parents to file the orphan application. Essentially, this application will determine whether the prospective adoptive parents will provide a proper home environment, and will determine whether they are suitable as parents. The process consists of home study and fingerprint checks. Home study includes an analysis of the prospective parents' capabilities and living conditions.

Once the advanced processing application is approved, Form I-600 is filed with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Form I-600 is the form filed for the classification of an orphan and is accompanied with the approval of the advanced processing application, the orphan's birth certificate, and evidence that the child is an orphan. Once CIS approves the I-600 Application, the application is then forwarded to the U.S. embassy in the country where the child resides. For orphan petitions, the U.S. citizen parents need only establish that the orphan is going to be adopted abroad, or coming to the U.S. for adoption. Once the child has been residing with his or her adoptive parents for two years, the parents may petition their child as an immediate relative so long as the child was adopted before his or her 16th birthday.

To learn more about the orphan petition process, please contact us.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:41 AM | Permalink

Foreign nationals may obtain their green cards by marriage through a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). If the marriage is less than two years old at the time residence is granted, the foreign national will receive conditional permanent resident status. Conditional residents and their spouses are required to remove those conditions two years after residency is granted by filing a Petition to Remove Conditions on Form I-751.

The most pressing question is whether divorce during the specified period affects the Petition to Remove Conditions. If the marriage falls apart during that two year window, it will be necessary to file for a waiver of the requirement that both spouses sign the petition.

However, the conditional resident requesting a waiver will have to show the marriage was entered into in good faith. In order to show the Immigration Service that the marriage was entered in good faith, the alien should provide documents such as birth certificates of the children, documents showing that the financial assets and liabilities were combined, and documents showing the length of time the parties lived together.

If you have questions regarding how to file a waiver of the requirement to file I-751 jointly, please call us.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 06:01 AM | Permalink

In this Internet era, individuals are now entering Internet chat rooms and meeting other individuals with similar interests. Often, the two individuals reside on different continents. Internet chatting often leads to more serious and frequent communication, and sometimes a relationship flourishes.

When a United States Citizen meets a foreign national, and a relationship develops with the individual, the couple will desire to unite their lives together. If the U.S. Citizen and his or her foreign national fiance want to live their lives together in the United States, the U.S. citizen may petition for the fiance to enter the US with a K-1 visa.

The K-1 visa allows the foreign national fiance to enter the United States solely for the purpose of getting married to the U.S. citizen petitioner. Once the foreign national enters the United States, he or she must get married to the U.S. citizen within 90 days. Of course, the petitioner (US citizen) and beneficiary (fiance) must meet certain requirements before applying for the visa.

The following requirements must be met in order to file a petition for the fiance to enter the U.S. on a K-1 visa: The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen; the U.S. citizen must have met with the fiance in person within the previous two years; both individuals must be legally free to marry; the fiance must not have violated any U.S. immigration laws; the fiance must not have a criminal record.

To learn more about the fiance visas, please contact us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:51 AM | Permalink

Citizens of Mexico or Canada may opt for a TN visa instead of being subject to the annual cap of the H-1B visa. The TN visas are similar to the H-1B visas in that the visa is designed for professionals that have attained the requisite education and experience. Examples include accountants, architects, hotel managers, dentists, librarians, engineers, doctors (who are in teaching and research positions), animal breeders, animal scientists, and management consultants. The pertinent occupations are listed in the regulations, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), whereas the experience and education levels are specified in the regulations. There are a few cases where a degree is not required such as management consultants.

Although a TN visa is valid for one year, it may be renewed every year. It is vital to note that TN visas have a temporary intent requirement and the individual must have intent to return to his/her home country of Mexico or Canada. The process of submitting TN applications are different for Canadians and Mexicans. A Canadian citizen will present all documents and apply for TN status at any port of entry such as the airport. No visa is issued only an I-94 card. On the other hand, a Mexican citizen will apply for TN status at the U.S. Consulate.

If you are a citizen of Mexico or Canada and want more information on the Professional Nonimmigrant visa, please call us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 06:08 AM | Permalink

A foreign national who wishes to enter the United States "on business" must first obtain a B-1 visa from the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in his or her home country. The B-1 visa allows the foreign national to enter the United States temporarily for business. However, the business visitor is not authorized employment in the United States.

For example, if the purpose of the foreign national's planned travel is to meet with business associates, travel for a business convention or conference on specific dates, or settle or negotiate a contract, then a B-1 visa would be necessary. Since the purpose of the trip and visa is temporary in nature, the foreign national needs to establish there is no intention of abandoning his or her home country. Documentation must be presented to the consul establishing intent to return to the home country. An individuals should therefore provide sufficient ties to the home country -- such as an employment letter, financial connections, bank accounts, close family ties, copies of recent tax returns, copies of recent paycheck stubs, copies of mortgage, lease, or other documents demonstrating residence.

Please contact us to learn more about the B-1 visa.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:30 AM | Permalink

Conservative columnist Linda Chavez has an interesting opinion piece in today's Dallas Morning News. She writes about the recently-passed immigration enforcement law in Arizona and reflects that the lack of use of the law indicates that citizens of Arizona understand they are better off with illegal immigrants than without them. Here are excerpts: 

Arizona has been ground zero in the fight against illegal immigration - but a funny thing happened earlier this month when a new anti-illegal-immigrant state law went into effect. Nothing.

The law, one of the toughest in the nation, requires jurisdictions to investigate complaints by ordinary citizens against local businesses that may be employing illegal immigrants. But apparently most Arizonans have better things to worry about.

A new study by the conservative think tank Americas Majority Foundation ( www.amermaj.com) suggests a possible explanation why more Arizonans aren't rushing to run off illegal workers. It turns out that Arizonans may be better off - not worse - because of the presence of so many immigrants in the population.

States with the highest percentage of immigrants or the largest recent influx of immigrants - 19 "high immigrant jurisdictions" in all - are wealthier and have better employment numbers, and most boast better crime figures than those with fewer immigrants.

These statistics don't mean that illegal immigration is not a problem for many jurisdictions. Illegal immigrants do impose costs, including increased health care and education expenses. Ironically, one of the growing costs is for incarcerating illegal immigrants picked up in raids or for offenses that usually don't justify jail time.

These increases are a direct result of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. And if states like Arizona decide to vigorously enforce their new laws, we can expect to see these costs go up without much, if any, offset in savings to those jurisdictions.

The immigration debate is likely to continue undeterred by the facts the Americas Majority Foundation has pulled together. But the overwhelming majority of Americans - two-thirds to three-fourths, according to most polls - have no wish to see most long-term illegal residents rounded up and sent home.

What they do want is a more concerted effort to secure the borders so the numbers don't keep increasing. Once we get this election year behind us, maybe the sound of silence emanating even from places like Arizona will finally be heard.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 03:02 PM | Permalink

A U.S employer (typically a university or hospital) that desires to employ a professor or researcher who is "outstanding" in an academic field may file an employment-based petition. To qualify as a "priority worker - outstanding professor or researcher," an individual must meet each of the following evidentiary requirements set out in 8 CFR §204.5(i)(3) and 8 CFR §204.5(g).

A.   Evidence that the individual is recognized internationally
       as outstanding in the academic field;

B.   Evidence that the alien has at least three years of experience in teaching
       and/or research in the academic field;

C.  Provide an offer of employment from a prospective U.S. employer;

D.  Evidence that the U.S. employer is able to pay the proffered wages to the
individual.

Under 8 CFR §204.5(i)(3)(i), evidence that the individual is recognized internationally as outstanding in the academic field shall consist of at least two of the following:

• receipt of major, international prizes, awards, and recognition for the individual's scholarly achievement;
• memberships in associations which require outstanding achievements;
• published material in professional publications written by others about the individual's work in the academic field;
• evidence of participation as the judge of the work of others in the same or an allied academic field;
• evidence of original or scientific or scholarly research contributions to the academic field which have received worldwide recognition in the field ; or
• evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the academic field.

If a foreign national satisfies these requirements as set forth in the regulations, and upon approval of the petition, the foreign national will be able to adjust their status to a lawful permanent resident.  Please do not hesitate to call us at 214-999-9999 and learn more about the outstanding researcher process.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:51 AM | Permalink

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act was passed in 2000 creating the "U" nonimmigrant classification. The U visa is available for undocumented immigrants who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of a criminal activity. The individual must demonstrate the following: he or she has information concerning the criminal activity; the law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, or other investigating authorities provided a certification indicating that the individual has been helpful, is being helpful or is likely to be helpful; the criminal activity must have violated the laws of the United States, or have occurred in the United States.

The victim of the criminal activity must file Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, at the Vermont Service Center. To determine what qualifies as a violation of a criminal activity, guidance is provided by statute that the activity is in violation of a Federal, State or local criminal law. Examples include but are not limited to rape, torture, sexual exploitation, trafficking, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, prostitution, involuntary servitude, kidnapping, abduction, false imprisonment, murder, blackmail, and obstruction of justice. Along with the petition, the individual must provide evidence that he or she suffered direct and proximate harm as a result of the criminal activity. The evidence may include trial transcripts, court documents, police reports, news articles, affidavits, or orders of protection.

Until the final regulations are issued, individuals who demonstrate eligibility for U visas are granted interim relief. Following the grant of interim relief, the individual may apply for work authorization. After three years of being present in the United States, and for humanitarian grounds, the U visa holder may adjust his or her status.

To learn more about the U visa and its process, please contact us at 214-999-9999.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:38 AM | Permalink

A religious organization in the United States may sponsor an individual from another country who has been a member of a religious denomination for two years immediately preceding the filing of the application. If the appropriate Petition and supporting documentation are submitted, the individual may qualify for a nonimmigrant R visa. If the individual is the United States, the religious organization must file Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, along with the R Classification Supplement in the United States. If the individual's spouse and children are accompanying or following to join him or her, then Form I-539 should be filed with the I-129 Petition.

The petition must be supported with documentation establishing that the individual seeks to enter the United States solely for the purpose to:
1) carry on the vocation of a minister of that religious organization; or
2) work in a professional capacity for that religious organization at the request of the organization; or
3) work at the request of the organization in a religious vocation or occupation for the organization (or its § 501(c)(3) affiliate).

The petitioner (religious organization) must show that it is a bona fide, non-profit, tax exempt religious organization under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This can be shown by submitting copies of the organization's articles of incorporation, bylaws, financial statements, and letters from the Internal Revenue Service showing that the religious organization is nonprofit and exempt from taxation.

Furthermore, a letter from an authorized official should indicate that the individual has been a member of the religious organization and that the foreign and U.S religious organizations belong to the same religious denomination. The religious organization should provide a sworn statement by an authorized official outlining the hours the individual will work, the duties and responsibilities the individual will perform and the remuneration the individual will receive. Once the R-1 visa is approved, the religious worker, spouse, and children (under 21 years) are granted admission for three years which may be extended for an additional two years.

The R visa allows the individual to apply for permanent residency. If an individual has been in R status for at least two years, a Special Immigrant Petition I-360 may be filed by either the Religious worker or the employer. The Special Immigrant Petition is a step towards obtaining permanent residency. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding Religious Worker visas.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:22 AM | Permalink

Generally, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) must have continuous residence in the United States for five years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) in order to be eligible for citizenship. Continuous residence in the United States does not mean that an LPR cannot leave the country for the entire five years (or three years if married to a USC) in order to qualify for citizenship. On the contrary, LPR's can travel freely without the hassle of obtaining a visa from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. However, LPR's must make sure they do not face the problem of abandoning the continuous physical presence requirement.

An LPR may be deemed to have disrupted the "continuous residence" requirement if the LPR travels out of the United States a few times a year, or if an LPR is outside of the country for over six months. If an LPR continuously maintains a residence in the United States but is physically outside of the United States for over a year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may decide that the continuous residence has been abandoned. If an LPR has not properly maintained the continuous physical residence requirement, and the DHS determines that an LPR has abandoned his or her residency, DHS can refuse an LPR back into the United States.

Attention all frequent-flyer residents: Make sure your trips abroad are for short periods of time. Please note that the continuous physical residence requirement is one requirement that must be satisfied to qualify for citizenship. There are other requirements that must be met in order to establish citizenship eligibility. Please contact us if you would like to begin your citizenship process.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:54 AM | Permalink

If a foreign national is married less than two years to a U.S. Citizen, the alien spouse may be granted conditional permanent resident status in the United States from the time residency is granted. Is there a difference between permanent residence and conditional permanent residence? No. Conditional permanent residents have the same rights, privileges and obligations as permanent residents. The only difference is that conditional permanent residents must file a petition to remove their conditions a year and nine months from the time their residencies are granted.

Alien spouses currently in conditional resident status must not forget to remove their conditions on Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions. Such petition should be accompanied with evidence that the alien spouse and U.S. Citizen spouse continue to reside together and have a valid marriage. Supporting documents include utility bills bearing both names, apartment leases showing joint tenancy, joint accounts, and birth certificates of children. The petition to remove the conditions must be filed one year and nine months from the date the alien spouse was granted conditional permanent resident status. Failure to file the petition removing the conditions may result in the termination of the alien spouse's permanent resident status and removal proceedings may be initiated.

If the spouses are divorced before the second anniversary of the date the alien spouse was granted conditional permanent resident status, and the parties cannot file Form I-751 jointly, waivers are available. The alien spouse may be granted the waiver by showing proof that the marriage was entered in good faith, and it would result in extreme hardship if the alien were deported. So if an alien spouse has been granted conditional permanent residence, don't forget to remove your conditions!

Posted by Bob Kraft at 11:09 AM | Permalink

The blog of the New York Times has an interesting post today about the "breaking point" being reached in the farmworker immigration situation. The bottom line is that farmers are not finding enough workers, due to immigration crackdowns. And while there are still unemployed American citizens, very few of them have any experience in farm work (or are interested in learning).

There may be a farmworker provision attached to another bill and presented to Congress before the end of the year, but that is very tenuous at this point.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 04:21 PM | Permalink

CNN has an interesting article online about a sailor in the U.S. Navy who may have to quit the service because his wife is being threatened with deportation. Here are excerpts:

Eduardo Gonzalez, a petty officer second class with the U.S. Navy, is about to be deployed overseas for a third time. Making his deployment even tougher is the fact his wife may not be around when he comes back.

His wife faces deportation to Guatemala -- her home country that she hasn't seen since 1989. He also doesn't know what would happen to his young son, Eduardo Jr., if that happens.

"I like being in uniform and serving my country, but if she goes back I'm going to have to give it all up and just get out and take care of my son and get a job," he said.

"Defending the country that's trying to kick my family out is a thought that always runs through my mind."

The U.S. military does not have a policy to deal with such cases. Each is handled case-by-case, not by the military, but by immigration authorities. The government doesn't have numbers on how many military members are in predicaments similar to Gonzalez's.

Immigration officials also said marrying a U.S. citizen does not mean the spouse is automatically entitled to U.S. citizenship or permanent legal status.

Article Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Eduardo Gonzalez's immigration status when he entered the United States as a boy. He and his family entered the country legally. Lt. Col. Margaret Stock, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves who teaches immigration law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, said she believes there should be an overall policy dealing with the potential deportation of family members of active duty military members.

"You got to understand. When you're in a combat zone, you need to be focusing all of your energies on fighting the enemy. You can't be worried that your loved ones back home could be shipped off to a foreign country where you're never going to see them again," she said.

Stock also said the government is conflicted about how to treat such cases. On the one hand, the government is supposed to be providing military families with assistance, housing and other forms of benefits while their spouses are overseas. On the other hand, the same government is trying to deport the very same people.

"What's happening right now is, because of the dysfunction and complexity of our immigration laws, we've got people fighting overseas who are facing the impossible situation of having family members facing deportation back home," she said.

In Gonzalez's case, his wife, Mildred, came to the United States with her mother in 1989 when she was 5 years old. They were granted political asylum because of their status as war refugees from Guatemala.

In September 2000, Mildred's mother applied for legalization and included her daughter in that application. Her mother was granted legal status in July 2004, according to Gonzalez.

However, six weeks earlier, Gonzalez and Mildred got married, canceling Mildred's ability to apply for legal status through her mother because she was no longer an unmarried daughter under the age of 21. As a result, her legal status still remains in jeopardy.

A judge in June granted her a one-year extension to remain in the United States. If her legal status does not change by June 8, 2008, she will have 60 days to voluntarily leave the country or face deportation.

That's just fine, according to Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which lobbies for tougher laws on illegal immigration.

"What you're talking about is amnesty for illegal immigrants who have a relative in the armed forces, and that's just outrageous," he said. "What we're talking about here is letting lawbreakers get away with their actions just because they have a relative in the military. ... There's no justification for that kind of policy."

Gonzalez said that type of response is unjustified. "I'm trying to make his country better -- my country better -- and it should be her country too."

"I understand the laws have to be followed and guidelines and a system must be maintained, but on the other token, there are times when the situation is just out of their reach," Gonzalez said.

His wife, Mildred, added, "We didn't come here to break the law. We just want to feel safe and have a home just like everybody else."

U.S. Army Sgt. Emmanuel Woko, a member of the Army's 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division who faces his third tour in Iraq, understands just how Gonzalez and his family feel. His wife and children could be sent back to Nigeria.

"My heart is bleeding on the thought that my wife could be deported back to Nigeria while I am deployed in Iraq," he said. "I am extremely distressed and distracted by the thought."

That's a sentiment echoed by Gonzalez: "We are not asking for anything. We are just asking for our families to stay with us."

Posted by Bob Kraft at 06:08 AM | Permalink

CNN has an interesting article online about a sailor in the U.S. Navy who may have to quit the service because his wife is being threatened with deportation. Here are excerpts:

Eduardo Gonzalez, a petty officer second class with the U.S. Navy, is about to be deployed overseas for a third time. Making his deployment even tougher is the fact his wife may not be around when he comes back.

His wife faces deportation to Guatemala -- her home country that she hasn't seen since 1989. He also doesn't know what would happen to his young son, Eduardo Jr., if that happens.

"I like being in uniform and serving my country, but if she goes back I'm going to have to give it all up and just get out and take care of my son and get a job," he said.

"Defending the country that's trying to kick my family out is a thought that always runs through my mind."

The U.S. military does not have a policy to deal with such cases. Each is handled case-by-case, not by the military, but by immigration authorities. The government doesn't have numbers on how many military members are in predicaments similar to Gonzalez's.

Immigration officials also said marrying a U.S. citizen does not mean the spouse is automatically entitled to U.S. citizenship or permanent legal status.

Article Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Eduardo Gonzalez's immigration status when he entered the United States as a boy. He and his family entered the country legally. Lt. Col. Margaret Stock, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves who teaches immigration law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, said she believes there should be an overall policy dealing with the potential deportation of family members of active duty military members.

"You got to understand. When you're in a combat zone, you need to be focusing all of your energies on fighting the enemy. You can't be worried that your loved ones back home could be shipped off to a foreign country where you're never going to see them again," she said.

Stock also said the government is conflicted about how to treat such cases. On the one hand, the government is supposed to be providing military families with assistance, housing and other forms of benefits while their spouses are overseas. On the other hand, the same government is trying to deport the very same people.

"What's happening right now is, because of the dysfunction and complexity of our immigration laws, we've got people fighting overseas who are facing the impossible situation of having family members facing deportation back home," she said.

In Gonzalez's case, his wife, Mildred, came to the United States with her mother in 1989 when she was 5 years old. They were granted political asylum because of their status as war refugees from Guatemala.

In September 2000, Mildred's mother applied for legalization and included her daughter in that application. Her mother was granted legal status in July 2004, according to Gonzalez.

However, six weeks earlier, Gonzalez and Mildred got married, canceling Mildred's ability to apply for legal status through her mother because she was no longer an unmarried daughter under the age of 21. As a result, her legal status still remains in jeopardy.

A judge in June granted her a one-year extension to remain in the United States. If her legal status does not change by June 8, 2008, she will have 60 days to voluntarily leave the country or face deportation.

That's just fine, according to Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which lobbies for tougher laws on illegal immigration.

"What you're talking about is amnesty for illegal immigrants who have a relative in the armed forces, and that's just outrageous," he said. "What we're talking about here is letting lawbreakers get away with their actions just because they have a relative in the military. ... There's no justification for that kind of policy."

Gonzalez said that type of response is unjustified. "I'm trying to make his country better -- my country better -- and it should be her country too."

"I understand the laws have to be followed and guidelines and a system must be maintained, but on the other token, there are times when the situation is just out of their reach," Gonzalez said.

His wife, Mildred, added, "We didn't come here to break the law. We just want to feel safe and have a home just like everybody else."

U.S. Army Sgt. Emmanuel Woko, a member of the Army's 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division who faces his third tour in Iraq, understands just how Gonzalez and his family feel. His wife and children could be sent back to Nigeria.

"My heart is bleeding on the thought that my wife could be deported back to Nigeria while I am deployed in Iraq," he said. "I am extremely distressed and distracted by the thought."

That's a sentiment echoed by Gonzalez: "We are not asking for anything. We are just asking for our families to stay with us."

Posted by Bob Kraft at 06:08 AM | Permalink

More and more frequently these days, we read of U.S. citizens adopting children from foreign countries. There was a story on CNN this morning about Guatemalan adoptions. Here is information from the USCIS Web site about inter-country adoptions:

Adopting children from all over the world has steadily increased in the past decade. Over 20,000 inter-country adoptions are taking place per year in addition to the more than 200,000 foreign-adopted children already living in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proud to play a key role in the inter-country adoption process.

Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with inter-country adoption processes before they begin filing applications for a particular child. A good place to start is with the booklet, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children.

Prospective adoptive parents may find the services of an adoption agency helpful for guidance and assistance with the immigration of orphans and adopted children. While USCIS cannot recommend specific agencies, we strongly advise prospective adoptive parents to seek out a reputable agency with established foreign adoption experience and/or competent legal representation in their efforts to bring foreign-born orphans into the United States. One place to start looking for an agency is through the adoption advocacy community.

There are two legal ways to bring an adopted child into the country. Please review the differences, as they are important to your successful adoption.

• Immigration/Adoption of child based on 2-years residence through submitting Form I-130: If you adopt a child before the child turns 16 (or 18, as described below), and you live with the child for two years as the child's primary caregiver, then you may file an I-130 petition for an alien relative. The petition may be filed after the 16th (or 18th if a sibling) birthday, and the two years may culminate after the 16th (or 18th) birthday. (Please note that, generally, all qualifying criteria must be established BEFORE the child may enter the U.S.)
• Immigration/Adoption of an orphan through submitting Form I-600: If you adopt or intend to adopt a child who meets the legal definition of an orphan, you may petition for that child at any time prior to the child's 16th (or 18th, as described below) birthday, even if the adoption takes place subsequently (and in certain cases, the adoption does not occur until the child comes to the U.S.).

If you are interested in adopting a child from a particular country, we suggest that you consult the Department of State Website web pages addressing Country-Specific Adoption and Important Notices.

These materials alert prospective adoptive parents to conditions that may develop or already exist in foreign adoption cases. International adoption is essentially a private legal matter between a private individual (or couple) who wishes to adopt, and a foreign court, which operates under that country's laws and regulations. U.S. authorities cannot intervene on behalf of prospective parents with the courts in the country where the adoption takes place. The adoption of a foreign-born orphan does not automatically guarantee the child's eligibility to immigrate to the United States. Also, the adoptive parent needs to be aware of U.S. immigration law and legal regulatory procedures. An orphan cannot legally immigrate to the United States without USCIS processing.

Adopting Older Children - "Aging Out" of Eligibility to Immigrate Through Adoption.

If you are considering adopting an older child, you should be aware of the age limits on eligibility for adoptions and immigration, regardless of whether or not your state laws permit the adoption of older children (or even adults).

U.S. law allows the adoption and immigration of children who are under 16 years of age, with two exceptions:

• Biological siblings of a child adopted by the same parents may be adopted if under 18 years of age; and
• Orphans over the age of 16 may be adopted, as long as the I-600 petition was filed on their behalf before their 16th birthday (or in the case of an orphan who is the sibling of a child adopted by the same parents, before their 18th birthday).

Posted by Bob Kraft at 11:10 AM | Permalink

A columnist for the newspaper where I worked my way through college and law school has an interesting article today about the most recent immigration changes -- the "no match" letters.

Rowland Nethaway says this continuing crackdown on illegal workers is going to damage the nation's economy. Here are excerpts from his column:

WACO, Texas -- If authorities continue to crack down on illegal workers, the full Congress will learn the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

The raids and arrests that have occurred so far have already had an economic impact on the nation's agriculture industry.

Other segments of the economy can expect a sharp downturn as employers lose access to a valuable illegal immigrant workforce.

Unless Congress acts quickly to overhaul the nation's dysfunctional immigration system, Americans can expect to experience a significant jump in prices at the grocery store.

The hit on American pocketbooks will not be limited to price hikes and shortages at the supermarket. Across the economy, many services will decline while direct costs will rise.

Evidently, not enough members of Congress play chess. Even beginning chess players know they must think several moves ahead to have any chance at winning.

Congress' enforcement-only camp succeeded in shooting down a comprehensive immigration reform bill supported by President Bush and a bipartisan assemblage of Democrats and Republicans.

The legislation would have provided a method to legally match foreign workers with American employers.

In another example of being careful about what you ask for, immigration authorities have stepped up enforcement of long-ignored laws that make it illegal for U.S. employers to hire illegal immigrant workers.

Additionally, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a new policy that requires employers to follow up on "no-match" letters from the Social Security Administration.

These letters will inform employers when the nine-digit sequence of numbers provided by their workers does not to match the Social Security database.

For years now, employers have known that nothing would happen to them when they wadded up and tossed these no-match letters into the nearest trash can.

Now, employers have been told that if they do not clear up mismatched Social Security numbers, then the identified workers must be fired or the employers will face fines up to $10,000, as well as possible criminal charges.

It's been unlawful to hire illegal workers for decades. About the only time the immigration law has made news has been when a presidential nominee was discovered to have hired an illegal nanny.

Breaking the immigration law has been enough to disqualify a nominee from a plum government appointment, but not enough to motivate immigration authorities to enforce the law on employers across the nation.

Full enforcement of the new no-match requirement will only disrupt a fraction of illegal workers who can buy, borrow or steal valid Social Security numbers.

Also, the letters will only be sent to employers with at least 10 workers with mismatched Social Security numbers, and where those workers make up at least 0.5 percent of their workforce.

An estimated 75 percent of day laborers are illegal and undocumented. As a rule, no documents are requested and none are given. Many of these workers endure wage theft from unscrupulous employers.

Still, the recent baby steps that have been taken to enforce long-standing immigration laws have caused serious disruptions in the operations of many American businesses as word of the crackdowns has spread.

Early reports indicate that many farmers will produce only 50 percent of their normal crops due to the growing labor shortage.

In some cases, farmers have chosen to not plant due to the difficulty in finding workers to harvest the crops.

It is estimated that at least two-thirds of the workers in construction and agriculture are working illegally.

The enforcement-only critics who killed comprehensive immigration reform should have easily predicted this outcome. But they didn't.

Rowland Nethaway writes for the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 04:39 PM | Permalink

Over the last several years many foreign nationals who are in the United States legally have often used the words "visa" and "status" interchangeably. In too many cases this has led to disastrous results for those people.

Anyone who wants to enter the United States will have to go through an inspection by an immigration officer at the border prior to entry. The officer will normally issue an I-94 card that allows the foreign national to enter the U.S. for a specific purpose and for a specific duration of time. The above falls into the concept of "status." For example, a British citizen who flies to the U.S. for a vacation will go through an inspection at the airport and an I-94 card will be placed in his passport. The I-94 card is usually valid for six months and allows the British citizen to hold the status of a tourist for six months while in the United States.

A person admitted in one status may seek a change of status into a new classification (such as from F-1 to H-1B). Also, the duration of a person's stay may be extended by Immigration Services.

A "visa" on the other hand, is a document that allows a person to come to a port of entry and apply for admission into the United States. A visa allows for a person to apply to enter the U.S.; it does not provide a person with "status." A person applies for a visa at a U.S. consulate in his or her home country. However, issuance of a visa does not guarantee a person's admission into the United States.

If a citizen of India wishes to visit family members in the U.S. she will apply for a tourist visa at a U.S. Consulate in India. If the application is approved, the U.S. Consulate will usually issue a tourist visa that is valid for ten years. Therefore, the Indian citizen now possesses a visa. However, at the port of entry she will go through inspection and will be issued an I-94 card that is usually valid for six months. This means that although this person has a valid ten-year tourist visa, she is only authorized to have status as a tourist for six months.

As shown above, a visa is only for the purpose of admission into the United States, not for the purpose of remaining in the United States. To remain in the United States, a person must have status, which is evidenced by the validity dates of the I-94 card. If a person remains in the U.S. past the expiration date of the I-94 card they no longer have legal status in the U.S. even if their visa has not yet expired.

Finally, a non-immigrant visa holder violates his or her status in the United States if the person:

remains beyond the expiration date of the status granted;

engages in employment without specific authorization; or

engages in an activity that is not consistent with the status in which the person was admitted.

A person in this situation must immediately attempt to regain status to avoid removal from the U.S. and to prevent other serious immigration consequences.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 05:28 AM | Permalink

Every year, thousands of lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, in the United States apply for citizenship. The vast majority of cases are completed within one year. Each citizenship applicant, however, must undergo certain security clearances (fingerprints and name checks) before the applicant can obtain U.S. citizenship. The purpose of this clearance procedure is to demonstrate that the applicant does not have any criminal issue that would render the person ineligible for U.S. citizenship.

According to an April 25, 2006, USCIS memo, approximately 99% of all background and name checks are resolved within two months. The remaining 1% may take several months, or even years, before the background and name checks are completed.

There are remedies available to permanent residents who have been waiting months or years for the results of their background checks. Section 336(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act permits naturalization applicants to file a writ of mandamus in federal court to force a decision on a naturalization case if 120 days or more have elapsed following the naturalization interview and there is still no decision on a case.

For several years, filing a writ of mandamus was a good option to those experiencing delays in their naturalization case. However, the use of the mandamus is now limited in practice. The April 25, 2006, memo also states that USCIS will not schedule an interview until background checks are completed. The writ of mandamus can only be filed if a decision has not been reached in a case within 120 days of the citizenship interview. Obviously, USCIS is trying to eliminate the one tool used by naturalization applicants who are stuck in the background check process by changing when the naturalization interview occurs.

Regardless of when your interview takes place, there are still several things that can be done to speed up a case that has stalled. Our office can file a writ of mandamus on your behalf if you have already attended a citizenship interview. If you have been waiting several months for an interview, you can contact your congressman to see if he or she will assist you. Our office can also conduct inquiries directly with USCIS, and we can contact immigration liaisons who work directly with immigration officials, to find out the reason for delay on a particular case.

If you are experiencing delays in your case, please contact us today. We can help you get the results you are looking for.

For more information about immigration news, immigration laws, immigration policies, proposed immigration laws, border enforcement, green cards, citizenship, employment visas, family visas, naturalization, and other immigration subjects, please visit Immigration Law Answers and Immigration Law Answers Blog.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 10:47 AM | Permalink

Many individuals and employers in the United States are unaware of the existence of the H-2B visa. Although it is not as common as the H-1B visa, it is still an attractive option to individuals wanting to live and work in the U.S.

The H-2B visa is similar to the H-1B visa since the H-2B nonimmigrant work visa also provides a method for U.S. employers to obtain the services of foreign nationals to fill temporary needs of the business or corporation. The H-2B visa, however, has many stringent requirements that must be met prior to filing, which is the main reason for its underuse.

One of the most significant restrictions on the H-2B category is the requirement that the need for the foreign worker be temporary. There are four situations in which there is a temporary need for workers: recurring seasonal need, intermittent need, peak-load need, and need based on a one-time occurrence. It is this requirement that makes this visa category so rarely used. Not only must the employer promise to employ the worker for a limited period of time, the employer must attest that its need for the worker is temporary.

Another cumbersome requirement of the H-2B visa is the requirement that a labor certification be approved prior to filing the visa petition. The Department of Labor must determine that there are no unemployed, qualified U.S. workers available for the position in the area of the proposed employment, and that employment of the foreign national will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of U.S. workers. The employer must also conduct a recruitment campaign to prove that there are no qualified willing and able U.S. workers for the position.

Although the process to obtain an H-2B visa can be lengthy, there are many benefits in having an H-2B visa. A person can enter the U.S. for temporary work and enjoy all employee benefits. H-2B visa holders can bring dependents to the U.S., travel freely in and out of the U.S., and a new petition can be approved if there is a need to change jobs.

The H-2B work visa was created to allow people to come to the United States temporarily, mainly for non-agricultural jobs, for which the U.S. workers are in short supply. Up to 66,000 H-2B visas are issued every year. Although the quota has been reached for the 2007 year, it is never too early to begin thinking of applying for this visa next year, which actually begins on October 1, 2007. If you are interested in obtaining more information on this visa, please contact us.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 03:50 PM | Permalink

1. What are the basic requirements that I must meet before I can apply to become a U.S. citizen?

In order to apply for citizenship (often called naturalization) you must meet all of the following requirements:

2. Am I eligible to obtain dual citizenship?

Maybe. The United States allows citizens of other countries to hold dual citizenship. You also need to check the laws of your home country to make sure that it allows dual citizenship as well.

3. How long does it take to become a U.S. Citizen?

It depends. Current processing times are between 9 and 12 months for a final decision to be made and for an oath ceremony to be scheduled. Each applicant, however, must go though fingerprinting and background checks. These background checks my take several months, or even years, to complete.

4. Can I live overseas after I become a citizen?

Yes. The United States does not place any restrictions on U.S. citizens wanting to live abroad, and you do not run the risk of losing your citizenship.

5. What are the filing fees associated with an application for citizenship?

The current filing fees are $330 for the citizenship application and $70 for fingerprints. Immigration Services has issued a new fee schedule that goes into effect on July 30, 2007. On that date, the total for fingerprints and filing fees will be $675.

6. What should I do if I cannot attend my oath ceremony?

If you are unable to attend the oath ceremony, you should return the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sent you, along with a letter explaining why you cannot attend the ceremony. Your local office will reschedule and send you a new "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" to advise you of your new ceremony date.

7. Does my child automatically become a U.S. citizen after I am naturalized?

In most cases, your natural or adopted child is a citizen if the following are true:

8. What are some of the benefits of becoming a citizen?

A: Naturalized American citizens have many rights, including the right to vote, to hold public office (except that of the Vice-President or President), to extend U.S. citizenship to their children, and to obtain visas for immediate relatives.

9. If I don't speak English fluently can I take the exam in another language.

It depends. The English language requirement is only waived for persons meeting the following criteria: If you are over the age of 50 and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, or if you are over the age of 55 and have been a permanent resident for 15 years or more.

10. What can I expect from the history exam?

The U.S. government wants you to be knowledgeable about U.S. history and government structure. The questions range from U.S. history to naming current government officials. While there are 100 possible questions that may be asked, you will likely be asked only 10 or so. The test may be given orally or in writing.

Posted by Bob Kraft at 04:17 PM | Permalink

Many overseas professionals wish to immigrate to the United States for employment. Normally, to file an employment-based immigration petition, a Labor Certification approval is a pre-requisite. Schedule A, however, is a list of occupations for which the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has determined that there is an insufficient number of U.S. workers who are qualified, willing, and able. Professional nurses and physical therapists are the only two occupations explicitly listed on Schedule A. Additionally, the DOL has authorized U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to allow a foreign worker to obtain a green card without first having to go through the entire labor certification process.

Professional Nurses

To qualify for Schedule A processing, a professional nurse must be in possession of the following:

In addition, unless the nurse was educated in an English-speaking country, he or she must achieve a certain score on tests in written and spoken English administered by TOEFL or IELTS in order to qualify for the Visa Screen Certificate. The program is also composed of an educational analysis and licensure validation.

Currently, there is such a shortage of nurses working in the United States, persons abroad will find it relatively easy to obtain offers of employment from hospital in the U.S.

Physical Therapists

A physical therapist is defined as a person who applies the art and the science of physical therapy to the treatment of patients with disabilities,