The Immigrant Magazine. Resources for Immigrans in America.

Immigration Issues

 

 

 

In Removal Proceedings?

By Victoria Suh ESQ

What are removal proceedings? This is the current name for what used to be called “deportation proceedings” or “exclusion proceedings.” Basically, it is immigration court proceedings to determine whether you should be allowed to stay in the United States.Read More About Removal Proceedings

Visas For Individuals With Extraordinary Ability

By Mark Ivener, Attorney

T he O-1 non immigrant visa category applies to foreign nationals of extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, sciences, education, business, or the motion picture or television industry who are coming to the United States to perform temporary services relating to an event or events. The O-2 visa is additionally available to accompanying foreign nationals who are coming to assist in the artistic or athletic performance of a foreign national of extraordinary ability.
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E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

By Victoria Suh ESQ

The E-2 visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows a person to own his own business by making an investment into this business. The E-2 visa is not a greencard. It is a working visa that allows a person to make an investment to purchase a small business or start a business. The E-2 visa is very popular since the investment amount is relatively small and the business can be any type of business, e.g. sandwich shop, dry cleaners, video store, etc.
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J-1 Visas For Interns And Trainees
The Little Known Work Visa
An Alternative To The H-1b Visa

 

 

 

By Mark Ivener, Attorney

The Department of State administers the J-1 visa program. In order to obtain a J-1 visa for an employee, a company must initiate an application through an approved third-party training sponsor organization.

The first step is to find an appropriate third party training sponsor. There are dozens of organizations that are authorized by the Department of State to act as third-party sponsors of J-1 training programs. These organizations review and approve the application and training program of a proposed U.S. employer and issue a Form DS-2019, which is a Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 training. Each third-party program sponsor has different requirements, filing fees and procedures, but almost all third-party sponsor applications require that the employer submit a detailed training program. The training program must spell out in explicit detail the type and chronology of training which will be accomplished. Third party sponsors generally take about a month to review and approve J-1 applications and training programs.
Read More About The J-1 Visas For Interns & Trainees,An Alternative To The H-1b Visa

 

J-1 Visas for Interns and Trainees

By David Fullmer, Attorney

While the J-1 visa is not a very well-known category, it should be considered in situations where it is not practical or possible to obtain an H-1B visa for a foreign hire and practical training is the primary conduct.  While the 18-month term is shorter than the 36-month term of the H-1B visa, the J-1 can be obtained relatively quickly and without a quota.  In order to obtain a J-1 visa for an employee, a company must either become designated by the Department of State as a J-1 visa program sponsor or initiate an application as a host company through an approved sponsor organization.
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Fast Track Green Cards Through Investment

By  Mark Ivener, Attorney

For foreign investors looking for freedom and flexibility to live and work in the United States in a way accommodating to their lifestyles, the little-known EB-5 investor category can provide an excellent opportunity to accomplish this goal through the obtaining of Green Cards. Read More

 

Staying Legal in the United States

By Victoria Suh ESQ

Under the current immigration law, it is so important to stay legal in the United States.  Once you come into the US legally, you should try to stay legal.  Unless you are legally here, you will not be able to get or extend your drivers license or state identification card.  Unless you have a valid working visa or working permit you will not be able to get your social security number (except for some limited circumstances for international students). Read More About Staying Legal In The USA

Immigration Orbituary?

By Victoria Suh ESQ

In June 28, 2007, the US Senate effectively killed President Bush's plan to legalize millions of unlawful nonimmigrants. The Senate blocked passage of the immigration reform bill when, in a vote of 46 to 53, it failed to pass the closure vote necessary to end debate and bring the bill to a final vote. A total of 60 votes were needed to wrap up the debate within 30 hours. The result is that the bill that was endorsed by President Bush now has no real chance of moving forward since Majority Leader, Harry ...
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The 2008 DV Lottery
By Victoria Suh ESQ

The annual Diversity Immigrant Visa program also known as the greencard lottery is here. The greencard lottery is an annual program that gives greencard to winners who are selected through a computer generated random lottery drawing. Each year a maximum of55,000 greencards may be granted under this program. The registration period runs from October 4, 2006 through December 3, 2006 (noon, eastern standard time). All applications must be submitted online electronically at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
Read More about The 2008 DV Lottery

What do you know about Asylum?

By Victoria Suh ESQ

Did you know that the immigration law requires that you file for asylum within one year of arrival in the United States? There are exceptions to the one-year rule. Some exceptions include: Changes in the applicant's home country; changes in the applicant's situation that have a material effect on their eligibility for asylum; If the applicant was a derivative on someone else's asylum application, the loss of the derivative relationship; Serious illness; ineffective assistance of counsel, in limited cases death or serious illness of the ...
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Types of Visas

By Victoria Suh ESQ

Summer is a time for travel for most immigrants in and out of the USA. Here is some information to help understand the different categories of visas.There are over a hundred types of visa categories for visitors to the United States. Often it can be a confusing and even frustrating process trying to understand what kind of visa will work for your purposes. Or if the current visa you’re visiting or working under is still appropriate after a change in situation or lengthy stay. As of the year 2000, 9.5 percent of the United States population was ‘foreign born.’ And in the last ten years, just the number of Asian Indians here has doubled. As you can tell, the INS is ...Read More about Types of Visas

The Law at Your Door

By Nicoline Ambe-Ndiforchu,PHD

In case of an accident, you will spend a lot of money from your private funds. If you drive a car without insurance and get into an accident, the law mandates that you post a cash bond of $5,000 to $35,000. Failure to possess liability insurance or to post the bond will result in the suspension of your license for 3 years. Your license will only be reinstated if you obtain insurance for the statutory limit. Furthermore, if you have no insurance.
...Read More about Driving without Auto Insurance