IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Naturalization/Citizenship

Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen becomes a citizen of a country. Citizenship obtained through naturalization grants the same rights and privileges as citizenship obtained by birth. In the United States, naturalization involves meeting specific eligibility requirements and completing an application process administered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Family-based Immigration

Family-based immigration is the process by which individuals can immigrate to a country based on their family relationship with a citizen or lawful permanent resident of that country. In the United States, family-based immigration is a significant component of the immigration system. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides various categories of family-based visas, each with its own eligibility criteria and waiting periods.

Asylum

An asylum is a form of protection granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The persecution may be by the government or groups that the government is unable or unwilling to control.

Change of Status

A "change of status" refers to the process by which an individual currently residing in the United States under one immigration classification seeks to switch to a different immigration classification without leaving the country. The process of changing status typically involves submitting an application to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with supporting documentation and any required fees.

Waivers

A waiver refers to an official authorization that allows an individual to bypass or be exempted from specific requirements or grounds of inadmissibility that would otherwise bar them from entering or remaining in a country. Waivers are typically granted by immigration authorities based on various factors, such as humanitarian reasons or family unity.

Visa Application Process

This process refers to the steps individuals go through to legally obtain a visa to enter a foreign country. It typically involves completing an application form, providing supporting documents such as passports, photographs, and financial statements, and attending an interview at a consulate or embassy.

VAWA

The Violence Against Women Act allows certain immigrant victims of domestic violence or abuse perpetrated by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent to petition for immigration benefits independently of their abuser. It provides protection and assistance to victims of domestic violence who may be afraid to come forward due to their immigration status.

Fiancé(e) or K-1 Visa

The fiancé(e) visa process allows U.S. citizens to bring their foreign fiancé(e)s to the United States to marry and begin their lives together as a married couple. It provides a pathway for foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States based on their intention to marry a U.S. citizen and establish a life together in the United States.

"U" Visa

A "U" visa is a non-immigrant visa category available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes. The purpose of the "U" visa is to encourage victims of certain crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes, to come forward and assist law enforcement without fear of deportation. The "U" visa was created by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000.

"T" Visa

A "T" visa is a non-immigrant visa category available to victims of human trafficking who are present in the United States as a result of trafficking. It provides temporary immigration benefits, including permission to stay in the United States, the ability to work, and eligibility for certain public benefits and services, to individuals who have been subjected to severe forms of trafficking and who are willing to assist law enforcement without fear of deportation. The "T" visa was created by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000.

Deportation

Deportation, also referred to as removal, is the formal process by which the U.S. government removes a non-citizen from the United States. This action is carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There are various reasons why a non-citizen might face deportation proceedings, including violations of immigration laws, such as overstaying a visa or committing certain criminal offenses.