Texas Lawyer Referral Service, TxLRS, works with some of the best Houston Immigration law attorneys in Texas.
Immigration lawyers work with clients at all stages of the naturalization process. Immigration law may vary significantly from country to country. It also deals with obtaining citizenship and temporary or permanent relocation of people from one country to another. Immigration can cover a wide range of legal issues, practice settings, and geographic locations.
Most Houston immigration lawyers assist immigrants with the legal process of obtaining work in the United States. Other immigration attorneys may work with the government on enforcement of immigration laws. Furthermore, immigration lawyers work in non-profit organizations, private immigration law firms, or federal, state or local government agencies.
Texas Lawyer Referral Service, TxLRS, can refer you to experienced Houston immigration attorneys serving Texas.
Immigration law refers to the rules established by the federal government for determining who is allowed to enter the country, and for how long. It also governs the naturalization process for those who desire to become U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the first right to form laws in the area of immigration. Most of the relevant laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), are found in Title 8 of the United States Code. State governments are prohibited from enacting immigration laws. Despite this, a handful of states recently passed laws requiring local police to investigate the immigration status of suspected illegal aliens, creating some controversy.
The three federal agencies that are in charge of enforcing immigration laws are Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The ICE investigates those who break the law and prosecutes offenders. The USCIS handles applications for legal immigration. Furthermore, the CBP is responsible for keeping borders secure. All three agencies are part of the Department of Homeland Security.
People from other countries usually need permission to come to the United States via the visa approval process. Furthermore, visas are available for two purposes. Immigrant visas are useful for people who want to reside & work in the US. Moreover, non-immigrant visas are for tourists, students, and business people who are here temporarily.
The visa waiver program allows citizens of select developed countries that are deemed stable by the U.S. government to visit the U.S. for 90 days without obtaining a visa. It does not let foreign citizens work, go to school, or apply for permanent status. The visa waiver program is currently available to citizens of 37 countries.
Immigrating to the United States requires people to submit some detailed applications to the federal government. Further complicating matters, immigration laws often change, making it difficult for anyone without formal training to stay current on the act. Because of the changing nature of immigration law and the frequency that the requirements change, it is essential to consult Houston immigration attorneys who focus on this practice area.
With the help of an experienced attorney, those who qualify can successfully obtain permanent residency (a green card), and eventually citizenship. A permanent resident alien or U.S. citizen files a petition on behalf of a family member in a foreign country to start the process.
Family members who are U.S. citizens can sponsor family members who qualify as “immediate relatives.” These include spouses, parents of a citizen 21 years or older, unmarried children under age 21, and children adopted before turning 16. Also, the government does not limit the number of immediate relative visas approved each year.
By contrast, petitions filed by citizens or permanent residents on behalf of more distant relatives are subject to annual quotas. The amount of time these family members must wait to come to the United States will depend on their preference category. Furthermore, if you have questions about the term, consult Houston immigration law lawyers in your area.
Immigration is a diverse area of the law, and attorneys tend to specialize in particular types of cases. For example, Immigration Lawyers may limit his or her practice to employment-based petitions, foreign adoptions, or deportation defense. Immigrants and their families should take it upon themselves to gain a preliminary understanding of the nature of their case, before going about the critical task of finding an attorney.
If you need legal advice from Houston Immigration law attorneys, fill out our form on this page or call us for referrals. Obtain a free consultation by contacting us today.