Immigration & Naturalization Law
With the issue of heightened security in the United States, immigration and naturalization law has become an area of increasing importance. This area of law addresses the issue of whether or not someone has the legal right to live in the United States, or whether he or she is considered an illegal alien. The law extends to all the rights, responsibilities, and obligations to which a U.S. citizen must adhere. Immigration law also polices U.S. borders and determines if someone is allowed admittance and how long the person can stay.Changes in Immigration and Naturalization Law
Though the immigration and naturalization laws haven’t changed much over the years, there are a few amendments that have been enacted to toughen the laws against illegal aliens.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 tightened regulations on employers who hire illegal aliens, and also denied aliens welfare benefits. The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendment of 1986 was an effort to cut down on the practice of marrying to gain citizenship. In 1990, the Immigration Act sought to make visa allocations more evenly distributed throughout foreign nations in an attempt to increase worldwide immigration.
Immigration and Naturalization Attorneys
If someone is not a resident of the United States, but wishes to be, he or she would benefit from hiring an attorney specializing in this area. The law can be tricky and is becoming increasingly more rigid in its regulations and procedures. The other areas handled by this type of attorney would be international marriages, securing work visas, green card applications, asylum, fiancé and spouse visas, deportation, and dealing with legal entanglements associated with immigration and naturalization law.
When hiring an immigration and naturalization attorney:
- Make sure the attorney is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
- Speak to a few different attorneys within this specialization. Assess how comfortable you feel with them, and ask yourself if you feel confident in their experience and willingness to address your case.
- Ask if the attorney has held any official positions in bar associations related to immigration law.
- Ask what methods, approaches, and technology they employ.
- Ask if they are willing and able to represent you before a judge, if necessary.
- Do Internet research on your particular area of need before approaching attorneys, especially in the area of visas, since this is the most common and complex area of immigration and naturalization law. Being knowledgeable before speaking to an attorney can help you better understand the discussions, and will also save you time and money in attorney’s fees.
Related Links: |
|
