Having issues with your immigration status? Dealing with immigration law can be highly complex, often requiring a specialized immigration law attorney to handle your case. If you are hiring an attorney to handle immigration proceedings of any type, it is a good idea to work with an attorney that specializes in this field. While many general attorneys can provide legal help for immigration services, very few can provide the in-depth analysis and legal representation that an immigration law attorney can provide. Any other kind of attorney may not have the focus and skill needed to win your case.

A large concern when hiring immigration law attorneys is their ability to stay current on the latest immigration policies. Immigration law changes frequently, often becoming more complex. An attorney needs to stay up to date on these changes to ensure that when fighting your case, they are representing you with full knowledge of immigration law. Thus, when looking for an immigration attorney, it is best to research whether the firm keeps a track record of immigration law changes as proof that they can maximize effective representation of their clients. Also look to see if the firm has membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as that is often a good sign that the firm keeps up to date with the latest changes in immigration law.

When deciding which immigration law attorney to hire, look for a successful track record in the specific area of immigration law in which you need legal assistance. This may include deportation or detention, employment-based visa petitions, family-based immigrant visas, or other special immigration petitions or projects. Choose a law firm that is well-known for winning cases in that particular aspect of immigration law.

By: Y. Tilden

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Although certain applications for immigration benefits are fairly easy enough for a layperson to handle, often, one’s immigration needs, deportation, defense or consular processing, for example are best served by seeking immigration counsel. The oversupply of immigration practitioners, however, is one reason making the choice for the right immigration attorney difficult? The following tips have proven helpful in making the right choice.

Surf the web:

As we go on to the 21st Century, the internet has increasingly become part and parcel of our daily activities. Even those least technologically informed among us, most of the so called “baby boomers” cannot deny that they too are “connected” and find themselves online via various other resources. You can use the world wide web to get your initial list of attorneys or as a source for additional information on those attorneys that have made your list.

Going online, you will find several helpful Websites. The AILA’s (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and Nolo Publication’s Websites are particularly helpful. Both the AILA and Nolo have a “Find an Immigration Lawyer” feature and that, by merely inputting your zip code, would locate an attorney near you. Equally helpful in making the right choice for an immigration lawyer is the immigration lawyer’s Website, if one is available. In fact, some law firms have Websites with interactive features that allow one to email in an immigration question. Take advantage of this convenient means of access.

Ask around:

Get references from your friends, family, co-workers, or other lawyers. Today, especially in California, Texas, New York, and Florida states with the largest multi-cultural population in the united states hardly anyone has had no contact with someone who knows of an immigration lawyer. And most attorneys who practice in other areas of law are often good and reliable sources of referrals.

Come up with a list or “pool” of at least five names, noting those in the “pool” who have been recommended more than once. Once you come up with a list of potential immigration attorneys, narrow your search by investigating their credentials, including going online for any more information.

Interview attorneys:

Another helpful way to narrow your choice is to interview the immigration lawyers that made your initial list. Among the foremost questions in your mind should include:

• How accessible is the immigration attorney?

• Was I able to speak with the attorney or an assistant?

• Does the immigration attorney charge a flat fee or an hourly rate?

• Are the immigration attorney’s rates reasonable?

• How convenient is the immigration attorney’s office location?

• Will an immigration lawyer or paralegal handle the immigration matter?

• How long has the immigration attorney been in practice?

The answer to these and other questions aimed at getting an idea of an immigration attorney’s experience, accessibility, reasonable fees, and dedication should prove helpful in making your ultimate choice of an immigration attorney.

The steps we usually take to become better-informed consumers of products researching, investigating, and comparing are the same steps that should help us in making the right choice as consumers of legal services. Asking, surfing, and interviewing should all help to get the immigration attorney who is just right for you.

By: Nancy P Shevell

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America’s Earliest Immigrants

Although he most likely wasn’t the first immigrant, Ponce de Leon travelled to what is now Florida in 1513.? His discovery led other Spaniards to travel to The New World that is now America, and their numbers quickly spread throughout the Southwest and the western Coastal areas of what would later become the United States.? Their influence is still felt today in those areas’ architecture, customs and cultures.?

The English explorers, seeking a passage to the trade-rich Indies, were sent to America in the 16th century.? King James I established a permanent outpost at Jamestown, Virginia that attracted more adventurers seeking their fortunes in the original colonies of America.? They were naturally followed by those who sought religious and political freedom in the vast, untamed lands of North America.?

People from all over Europe trickled into what would become the United States during the 16th and 17th centuries, providing the base from which our modern population originated.? The country was well on its way to becoming the wonderful “melting pot” that we have today.

The Journey to the Present

Ellis Island is what most modern history students think of when they hear the term “immigration”.? In the early 1800′s, nearly five million people immigrated from Northern and Western Europe for a variety of reasons, famine chief among them.

In just the twenty short years between 1840-1860, waves of immigrants from Ireland fled to America to escape the potato famine and Germans fled to our shores to escape economic and political unrest and tragedy.? Ellis Island was the landing pad, so to speak, where these immigrants were processed and admitted to the country.? Although they often found prejudice and cruelty, they also found acceptance and freedom and the chance to realize their dreams of personal and financial freedom.?

These immigrants from Europe and other nations eagerly learned the language and customs of America while still treasuring their own traditions and culture.? It wasn’t unusual to see an American school child, living and working like all of his friends and classmates, return in the evening to a home that served traditional German food and whose elders spoke their mother tongue-but only in the privacy of their home, never among the general public.? They were, after all, Americans!? This attitude shaped a new United States and strengthened society and the economy more than anyone knew at the time.??

Immigration Today

Today, immigration laws are very confusing to Americans themselves as well as to those who would like to become citizens.? Misinformation and contradictory attitudes contribute to many disappointed families as well as legal trouble for potential citizens.? Since immigration laws are almost constantly changing due to economic or political conditions, it would be a wise move for anyone wanting to immigrate to the United States to consult with or engage and Immigration law firm.

Attorneys that are familiar with immigration laws and their frequent changes are able to guide a person in the correct way to legally become a citizen of America.? Due to misinformation in the countries where immigrants originate, a well meaning person could well walk past the borders on the way to a promised job and citizenship only to be deported at their own expense.? They often find themselves in a much worse position in their original homeland than when they began their journey.?

It’s not difficult to engage the services of a law firm that specializes in immigration law.? Consultations are often free or available at a nominal cost and the attorneys will educate their client on exactly what steps they need to take to successfully immigrate.? They will know their limitations, which forms they will need to fill out and where to submit them.? A good immigration attorney will make citizenship much easier and less costly.

America has always welcomed those who want to call her home.? The path to immigration may be confusing these days but to those who truly want to become citizens, it will be worth it.

By: Ryan Gilbert

About the Author:

Exemptions from certain requirements on acquiring United States citizenship by naturalization are in: lawful permanent residence, age, continuous residence and physical presence, English language, and special consideration in civics knowledge.

Exception From Lawful Permanent Residence:

A conditional permanent resident may apply for citizenship, eve if his/her conditional residency had not been removed by grant of Form I-751 petition to remove the conditions of residence, provided he/she has the three-year residence in the United States. The operative word is “apply” for naturalization because actual naturalization cannot be “granted” before the conditional residence status is removed and replace with lawful permanent residence. Moreover, a person who has honorably served in time of war or declared hostilities at a period designated by the President of the United States through an Executive Order is not required to be a lawful permanent resident before applying for citizenship. Thus, an illegal alien who has overstayed nonimmigrant status or who entered without inspection may become a U.S. citizen.

Lastly, a person who dies while serving in the military of the United States may be awarded posthumous citizenship without being a lawful permanent resident.

Exemptions From Age and Continuous Residence and Physical Presence:

The 18-year-old requirement for naturalization application may be waived or lifted because of an applicant’s involvement in military service. Otherwise, only persons 18 years or older may apply for US citizenship. If a lawful permanent resident spouse is married to be a U.S. citizen who has been a citizen for at least three years and have been living in marital union for at least three years, he/she is eligible for U.S. citizenship. This is an exemption from the five years of continuous resident status required of lawful permanent resident. And a lawful permanent resident spouse or child who obtained such status because of battery or extreme cruelty by the U.S. citizen spouse or father may also file for citizenship within the 3-years period, although not living in marital union for 3 years. So, the 3-year marital union is waived for a battered spouse.

Persons and spouses as well as children living abroad due to military service are exempted from continuous residence and physical presence in the United States of one-half of the 5 years or 3 years after lawful permanent resident status. Their residence abroad is considered time in the United States. They are also eligible for naturalization abroad.

Exemption From English Language and Special Consideration in Civics Knowledge:

Reading, writing, and understanding the English language at elementary level is a requirement for citizenship. So is knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.

Persons who are over 50 years old and have resided in the U.S. for 20 years in lawful permanent resident status, as well as persons who are over 55 years old and have resided in the U.S. for 15 years in lawful permanent resident status are exempted from the English language requirement.

Moreover, persons who are over 65 years old and have resided in the U.S. for 20 years as lawful permanent resident are given special consideration in civics knowledge by testing them with only 10 out of 25 questions in their country’s language and need to answer correctly only 6 questions.

Lastly, persons with physical or developmental disabilities or mental impairment are exempt from both the English language and history and government requirements. A medical doctor, osteopath or clinical psychologist must complete Form N-648, application for medical disability waiver that is filed with the Form N-400 application for naturalization ($595.00 application fee as of November 23, 2010).

(The Author, Roman P. Mosqueda, has practiced immigration law for over 20 years. He is a member of AILA and has published numerous articles on immigration law on cases he has handled. For comments, e-mail to rpm_law@yahoo.com, or call (213) 252-9481 for appointment for free consultation.

By: Roman Mosqueda, S. J.D.

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The United States of America is the envy of the world because of the freedom and luxuries available to all of our citizens. Most foreign countries are incapable or reluctant to provide similar opportunities to its citizens as the United States. Therefore countless foreign nationals will journey to the U.S. with the dream of becoming a naturalized citizen. Naturalization is the process of bestowing citizenship to a foreign national. U.S. immigration law outlines a series of requirements that each applicant must satisfy beyond a preponderance of the evidence to be eligible for naturalization. Fortunately, a Tampa immigration attorney can assist applicants meet the burden imposed on all naturalization applicants.

U.S. Immigration law outlines many requirements for naturalization, which can at times be confusing and daunting to applicants. Therefore, it is recommended that all applicants use the help of an immigration lawyer before applying for citizenship. In addition to providing assistance on the immigration law, the Florida immigration lawyer can assist the applicant satisfy the burden of proof required for each condition of eligibility.

Typically, U.S. immigration law will require applicants to satisfy five elements in order to be eligible for naturalization. The first element required of the applicant is to show some comprehension in understanding, speaking, reading and writing English. Secondly, the applicant will need to exhibit that he has previously lived lawfully within the United States for at least five years. Thirdly, the applicant must show good moral character. Fourthly, the applicant must show a fundamental acceptance of the U.S. government and the U.S. Constitution. For example, a member of the communist party may be deemed unqualified to meet this element and thus, ineligible for naturalization. Lastly, the applicant must prove a favorable disposition to the United States in order to be eligible for naturalization.

A Tampa immigration attorney experienced in the naturalization process can assist an applicant meet the burden of proof required for each of the five elements. For a free consultation with an skilled Tampa immigration lawyer contact Florida Law Group. One of our Tampa immigration attorneys will answer your questions and offer legal advice on how to become a naturalized citizen.

By: Matthew Podolsky

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