Immigration issues in Norcross, Georgia can have serious consequences. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, our Norcross immigration attorneys take these matters to heart. We have provided many clients with sound legal advice and immigration removal defense, and we are here to help you as well.
If you are concerned about your immigration status, get in touch with us today by calling (404) 888-8888. You can also reach us by filling out the form on our contact page. We offer all clients a FREE case review so that we can learn how our attorneys can help you during this difficult time.
Green Cards and the Adjustment of Status Process
The adjustment of status process is a way for immigrants to the United States to apply for a Green Card while remaining in the country. In other words, you can use this process to get your Green Card without having to return to your country of origin.
Getting a Green Card requires you to fulfill a certain set of qualification criteria. One of the following steps must apply to you before you can apply for your permanent residency:
- You have a qualifying familial relationship.
- Your employer files an immigrant petition for you.
- You have official refugee or asylum status.
- You file for a Green Card to escape an abuser, through the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The good news is that, if you meet these requirements, your Green Card (which you may hear referred to more officially as a “permanent resident card”) allows you to live and work in the United States for 20 years. If you desire citizenship, you can apply to become an official United States citizen after you have your Green Card for at least five years. Even if you do not become a citizen, you can renew your Green Card toward the end of its 20-year validity period.
Types of Visas
The following visas allow you to enter, live, and work in the United States for a limited period of time. They are good choices if you plan to be in the country only temporarily. Additionally, it is possible to “upgrade” your status to a permanent residency if your employer sponsors an immigrant petition on your behalf. This would allow you to exchange your temporary work visa for a Green Card.
H-1B Visa
The H-1B Visa is designed to allow companies in the United States to hire specialized workers from other countries when the supply of U.S. workers in that field is too low to meet demand. Specialized jobs typically require at least the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree and must be shown to demand a high degree of granular knowledge.
H-2 Visa
H-2 visas are reserved for non-agricultural workers from foreign countries. These visas typically require less specialized knowledge than H-1B visas, and they lack the requirement for at least a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). However, an employer can only apply for one of these visas on your behalf if there is sufficient lack of United States workers in that field.
B-1 Visa
If you need to travel to the United States for a brief stay, a B-1 visa may be the type that best suits your needs. Examples of situations that warrant this type of visa include work conferences, settling an estate upon the death of a family member, and other one-time, short-lived occasions. These visas have time limits between one and six months, though you can file for an extension of up to six months if necessary.
J-Visa
J-Visas allow you to come into the United States as part of an exchange program. If you are eligible for this type of visa, your spouse and children are also eligible and can come with you into the country. Doctors, college professors, and similar jobs are usually covered by the J-Visa.
K-1 Visas and CR-1 Marriage Visas
Marrying someone from another country may require different types of visas, depending on the specifics of your case. With a K-1 visa, you can bring your non-citizen future-spouse to the United States as long as you marry them within 90 days of their arrival. On the other hand, a CR-1 visa is used when you marry your spouse in their native land and bring them into the United States afterward. The Norcross immigration attorneys at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you decide which method is best for you and your future spouse.
U-Visa
If you are the victim of a crime within the United States, you can apply for a U-Visa. This allows you to stay in the country, but it requires you to work with law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the person who committed the crime against you. An additional requirement is that, to qualify for a U-Visa, you must have experienced physical and mental suffering as a direct result of the crime.
For a free legal consultation with a immigration lawyer serving Norcross, call (404) 888-8888
Additional Immigration Avenues
There are a number of other ways to immigrate into the United States besides work or marriage visas. If you have any questions about your specific situation and applicable avenues for immigration, get in touch with Bader Scott Injury Lawyers and our Norcross immigration attorneys for assistance.
The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act
Passed in 1997, NACARA is legislation that allows for immigrants from specific Central American countries to live in the United States under certain provisions. Parts of this Act have expired, and the wording can be confusing. We recommend speaking to one of our Norcross immigration lawyers if you think NACARA might apply to you.
Naturalization
Naturalization allows certain immigrants to become U.S. citizens. For example, spouses of current citizens can apply for their own citizenship after they have been married for at least three years. Workers who have had their Green Card for at least five years can also apply for naturalization.
Asylum
The Refugee Act of 1980 allows people to seek asylum in the United States if they can show proof of persecution within their country of origin (or a reasonable fear of coming persecution) based on protected classes such as race, ethnicity, political views, sexual orientation, religion, or membership in social groups.
Norcross Immigration Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Defense to Removal
Deportation, also known as “removal,” is often a tool used to expel non-citizens who have committed crimes within the United States. The form I-862, or Notice to Appear, is an indication that you are being considered for removal from the country.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers and our skilled Norcross immigration attorneys work hard to ensure that justice is done in your case. We can provide strong defenses against your removal by pointing out hardships that your removal would create. For example, if you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one, deportation may not be an appropriate option due to the hardship it could create for that individual. Get in touch with us today if you have received a Notice to Appear so that we can work on building a strong case for a Green Card, allowing you to remain in the country instead of being sent back to your country of origin.
The complexities of immigration law require a skilled, knowledgeable attorney. The Norcross immigration lawyers at Bader Scott can help you understand avenues of immigration such as visas and asylum seeking. We can also provide defenses if you are being faced with imminent deportation.
To get your FREE consultation with our experienced Norcross immigration lawyers, call our office at (404) 888-8888 or fill out the form on our contact page. We look forward to helping you strengthen America’s diversity and successfully navigate United States immigration law.
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