The best immigration law firm in New York resolves myths about green cards

Every year the United States Immigration authorities allot thousands of green cards to its Legal permanent residents. A green card is a coveted dream for every parson who wants to immigrate to the US, as it opens up a world full of opportunities for the immigrant. There are hundreds of green card holders that reside in New York City.

It is common for various immigrants dreaming of a green card to have various misconceptions about it. This article aims to educate the immigrants on the various facts related to green cards.

In the section below, the best immigration law firm in New York helps to answers various questions related to green cards –

Is the green card really green in colour?

This is one of the commonest questions asked by the immigrants and the answer is yes, it is green in colour. Although the card has witnessed various transformations in terms of colours that included green, pink and white.

What is a green card?

Most immigrants who qualify for a Legal permanent resident status (LPR) are given a green card as a method to identify themselves. Green card holders are supposed to carry it at all times in order to prove their identity. It is also advised that the LPR should make a copy of the green card in an event it is lost. This helps while an individual is applying for a new card with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What happens if the green card does not arrive on time?

When an individual has been granted a temporary resident’s status then he or she has to wait for a long duration until he/she get their green cards. In some cases, it may take up to several months, in order to receive the green card. The immigration authorities also mark the passport with a temporary I-551 stamp in order to make it as a temporary evidence of the status of the individual. In case, the date on the stamp expires then an individual needs to visit the immigration office in order to get a new stamp.

What happens if a green card gets expired?

In most cases, a green card is valid for a period of ten years and if the expiry date is drawing near then the green card holder has to apply for a new card. In many cases, immigrants may be granted the green card status only for two years.

With US Immigration Laws Becoming Stringent it is Wise to Hire an Immigration Attorney

People all across the globe aspire to immigrate to the land where dreams become reality- the United States of America. Every year, around 900,000 people immigrate to America, and its 1/3 growth of population comes from immigrants. NYC is the city that has witnessed a mammoth flow of immigrants in the past few years.

In case, you are also aspiring to land in the soils of NYC, then you must seek the services of an immigration attorney NYC, as he could prove to be a great source to handle immigration matters.

Hiring a competent immigration lawyer can aid you avert many hours of work assessing the U.S immigration laws and procedures, unnecessary processing delays, preparing supporting documents and filing petitions. Furthermore, after 9/11, the immigration laws in the U.S have become extremely stringent, and thus, hiring the services of a lawyer becomes indispensable, as only a reputable lawyer can guide you through the immigration process and can help, you make a legal entry in the country.

Most immigration solicitors are familiar with handling K-1 finance visa cases, O applications for people of extraordinary ability, employment-based permanent residency applications and H-1B petitions for specialty occupation workers.

In NYC, many immigration lawyers have magnanimous experience in obtaining employment-based visas, green cards and guiding individuals via the naturalization procedure. Below listed are some of the areas where hiring the services of a lawyer is of essence.

Green Cards

In case, you are seeking permanent residence in NYC, you must hire a competent immigration lawyer, who will access your particular situation and help you ascertain the most viable means of availing permanent US residency. A good immigration attorney NYC helps aliens or non-US citizens obtain green cards through political asylum, diversity lotteries, investment, employment sponsorship and family sponsorship. In case, you are seeking a green card, an attorney can help you complete and file the paperwork while providing you with sound legal counsel.

Business Immigration

Attorneys help employees and employers avail the work visas. In case, you are an entrepreneur and you want to sponsor a non-US citizen to work for your business organization, an experienced attorney can assist you avail the valid visas. Since, the U.S immigration law surrounding alien workers is convoluted, it is in your best interest and the best interests of your company to hire an expert immigration lawyer to assist you in obtaining visas for potential non-US residents under visa classes that will benefit you.

Naturalization

It is the process by which non-US residents obtains U.S citizenship. A lawyer help individuals ascertain their naturalization eligibility, based on the factors stipulated in the US immigration law. A qualified immigration attorney can guide you via the naturalization process and aid you complete and file entailed paperwork with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service). Since, even a minute error on your application can set your naturalization process back years, it is essential that you hire a skilled immigration attorney NYC to assist you via the procedure of obtaining U.S citizenship.

These are some of the areas where hiring the services of a reputable immigration attorney NYC become vitally essential.

Factors you should consider while Selecting an Immigration Lawyer - Part 1

So finally, you have decided to immigrate to New York City. Good decision! Moreover, if you have decided to hire “an immigration lawyer NYC” to help you in your immigration to NYC, that is another great Decision you have made.

Consider the quote by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals:

“With just a small degree of hyperbole, the immigration laws have been termed, 2nd only to the Internal Revenue in complexity to Internal Revenue Code. An attorney is usually the only person, who can thread the labyrinth.”

Keep in mind, immigration applications with the government and authorities are legal documents, identical to filing court applications for lawsuit. Do not be deceived that these documents are “merely paperwork” or “simple.” Behind the application forms there are heaps of pages of law, which affects your ability and rights to live and work in NYC. Moreover, there is no one-size-fits-all with immigration cases; therefore, you must consult immigration lawyer, not kith or kin, whenever you need to face the government. After all, immigrating to another country is a life-transforming matter that deserves the best legal help possible.

However, selecting the right immigration solicitor could be a grueling task. Read on to make sure you have appointed the best solicitor for your immigration case.

Core of Practice

It is hard to juggle the practice of immigration law with other legal practices areas like, family or criminal law. Selecting a lawyer, who focuses exclusively on immigration case, will boost the likelihood that you have hired a lawyer who knows how to handle your case.

Experience

It is perhaps logical to assume that immigration lawyer NYC, who has practiced 25-silver years, is undoubtedly, better than one who has just practiced for one or two years. In some instances, it might be true, but not in all. Some of the best attorneys, we have ever known, were very young, and likewise some of the worst attorneys, had practiced for years. Rather than paying heed to the “number of years”, the attorney has been in practice, you must focus on the kind of experience they have. Check, whether the attorney has successfully represented clients with the kind of case before?

AILA Membership

While AILA membership does not ensure quality of the lawyer in question, nonetheless, it is a strong indication that he takes immigration laws seriously. Being AILA member costs money and the organization provides research and educational material to its members.

What is in the Cost?

Cheap is not always best and that being stated, expensive is not always excellent either. Look for someone in between. Moreover, make sure that the prospective attorney is up front about his fees. In case, you find him reluctant to sign a fee agreement that should certainly be a 'red flag.'

In the second part of the article under the same Title and Introduction, we would be discussing few more factors that you should consider when selecting an immigration lawyer for your case.

Confused whether you should file an EAD or LC?

Let an immigration Law firm in New York educate You

Every year there is an influx of thousands of people in the United States on different types of visas. The US welcomes anyone who has a valid and lawful permission for entry. Many visas come with a work permit, which means that an immigrant has the right to work during his/her stay for a stipulated number of hours. New York City is a potpourri of immigrants from different parts of the world. An immigration Law New York firm is a perfect alternative for immigrants seeking guidance on the tough immigration laws of the land. Foreign nationals arriving in the United States require documents such a EAD (Employment authorization document) and LC(labor certificate) to work while their stay. However, it is quite common for people to confuse between the both.

In the section below a renowned immigration Law New York firm helps us to understand more about an EAD and LC -

What is an EAD?

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) authorize an EAD for a foreign national. This document helps in the employment of an individual with a US employer. The advantage of this form of employment document is that the immigrant no longer has to apply a visa petition in the form of H-1B visa in order to be permitted to work. Those in the eligible category include foreign nationals applying for their green card, L-2 visa holders and asylum applicants.

What is an LC?

The LC is filed by an US employer on behalf of the foreign employee with the Department of Labor (DOL). The filing of the LC is seen as an initiation of sponsoring the green card for an employee. It is imperative to understand that an LC is a mere document and does not confer any special status to the employee.

When does one needs to file an EAD or LC?

An LC is usually filed when an employee wishes to permanently live and work in the United States. On the other hand, an EAD is filed, when an individual does not wish to prolong his/her immigrant status when applying for a green card. A proficient immigration attorney should be consulted before applying for any of these documents in order to understand the options and make a well informed decision regarding the future.

An Immigration Law Firm Attorney in NYC tells about the Importance of Biometrics

Every year millions of people around the globe apply to gain entry into the United States. An important part of the procedure includes biometrics or fingerprinting. The United States immigration authorities use this identification procedure for every individual arriving on any type of visa in the United States. Recently, I had a chance to know more about the biometrics procedure while visiting New York City. An Immigration law firm NYC attorney educated me about the importance of biometrics and its eminence in the immigration procedures.

In the section below, you will find the extract of a discussion held with an Immigration law firm NYC attorney about biometrics that forms an integral part of the entry in to the United States.

Understanding Biometrics

Biometrics in simple words refers to the identification of humans with the help of their biological and physical characteristics or traits. These characteristics are captured on a database and can be later used to ascertain the identity of an individual by comparing it with other entries in the data base. The different types of biometrics currently in use include facial proof, fingerprinting and retina scans.

Biometrics in US Immigration Procedures

The US government welcomes all individuals that present a legal/legitimate proof of travel and entry in to its land. However, with the increasing lapses of peace in the world, the biometrics system has become important. In the year 2002, Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform were introduced that made biometrics mandatory for US visas. It was also decided by the Department of Homeland Security that the biometrics required for visa applicants would be a Ten-finger print scan.

How is Biometrics helpful?

Biometrics is significant in the United States immigration system. The fingerprints that have been collected at the immigration offices of any country are again compared to the United States port of visit. This proves helpful in order to track any visas that are either stolen or counterfeit or either used by unscrupulous elements that may pose a security threat to the nation. The aim of the biometrics system is to make US a safer place for all legitimate travelers along with its own citizens.

Visa Rejection due to False Information, Explains an Attorney from an Immigration Law Firm in New York, USA

The United States is a cultural amalgamation of people from all parts of the world. Whether at work or on a busy New York street, you are bound to bump in to people from different countries. The huge influx of immigrants requires tighter immigration laws. Due to the limitation of applications every year, it is common for many applicants to forge information on the applications. According to an immigration law firm New York attorney, it can be treated as a fraud and may result in the rejection of visa along with effects on future applications.

In the section below, an immigration law firm New York attorney talks more about denial of visa due to false information on immigration forms -

• Any false information submitted by an individual in the immigration form is considered to be a fraud against the government. This can have serious repercussions as they can either be denied visa and even the impending applications can be affected by it. Even those who help an individual falsify information to gain entry in the United States can be prosecuted by the immigration authorities.
• False information can imply incorrect personal data, previous rejections of visa and failure to provide information about any previous criminal activity. Rejection of applications on the basis of providing false personal information could be done due to a false or alias name, date of birth, financial information and information pertaining to marital status.
• The immigration authorities also consider it a fraud to not disclose rejections of visa. There is a specific column in the application forms that asks the applicant if his/her application has ever been rejected. In case, if there has been a denial of the application in the past and it has not been documented, then it is considered as a fraud against the government.
• In case, if an individual has a past criminal history where he/she has been charged with criminal offenses, then it needs to be revealed in the application. It is unknown to many applicants that the immigration authorities have access to the past data or the criminal history of an individual. Therefore, any attempt to hide information or provide false information on convictions will only result in creating bigger issues.
• This brings us to an important question that is it possible for a person to ever get a visa in case of denied applications due to false information. In such cases, the applicant needs to convince the government that the mistake is pardoned by filling for a waiver of inadmissibility.