Immigration Laws are So Confusing

August 25, 2011 By Tom Jr.

Immigration Laws are So Confusing

If you’ve ever thought, “Immigration Laws are sooooo confusing,” you’re not alone – and you’re right. Immigration law is very detail oriented, with lots of rules and procedures, which change continuously. That’s why we focus our practice on immigration law and don’t try to be experts in all legal fields.

How We Can Help You and Your Family with Immigration Matters

First off, it’s important that you don’t feel alone and that you know you’re in good hands. So, we explain how immigration procedures work and, specifically, how we will help you. For instance, you may need representation in immigration court, help bringing a family member to live with you in the United States, or legal assistance to avoid removal proceedings and deportation.

Secondly, we answer all of your questions and address your concerns. We explain what to expect, and how your specific immigration issue will be handled. You will never be surprised. We’ve found that these conversations help our clients to feel increased peace of mind and to sleep better at night.

Third, we guide you through all immigration matters step by step. You are never alone, even if you need to go to court, have an immigration interview, or file applications with supporting documentation.

Full Disclosure is Required; Confidentiality is Guaranteed

While we, as your immigration lawyers, do all the things mentioned immediately above, you must be active in your immigration case as well. Basically, this means that you must be completely honest, and disclose all information even if you think it may be harmful to your case. We can only help you if we know everything. Just like a medical doctor can only diagnosis and treat a problem if you disclose all of your symptoms, we, as you immigration attorneys, can only understand your immigration issues and determine what legal path to pursue if we have all the facts. Once we establish the attorney-client relationship, anything you disclose to us will be held in the strictest of confidences, as required by law.

Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues

We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will gently walk you through your immigration issues, even representing you in court and before the Department of State.

Filed Under: Adoption, Asylum, Citizenship, Deportation & Removal, Employment, Employment Visas, Family based Immigration, Family Member, Family Visas, Green Card, Green Card, Green Card, Immigration, Immigration Court, Investor Visas, Naturalization, Reform/New Laws, Treaty Investors, Waiver

"LPR" or "Green Card"

August 12, 2011 By Tom Jr.

“LPR” or “Green Card”

“LPR” stands for “lawful permanent resident.” If you’re like most people, you’ve heard the term, “green card,” but aren’t sure what it actually means. A green card is a colloquial term for the legal document that proves that the holder is a lawful permanent resident and has a legal right to live and work in the United States. It’s also called the “United States Permanent Resident Card” (formerly, “Alien Registration Receipt Card.”) But with a name like that, it is easy to understand why the term “green card” is so widely used.

It may not surprise you that green cards are green. However, they have been green; then pink, then cream and, now again, green. They are small laminated cards with the permanent resident’s photograph and fingerprints.

What are the benefits of a green card?

The green card benefits are significant. The green card indicates that the holder is a “lawful permanent resident,” having the right to live and work in the United States. The holder also has the right to be protected under the laws of the federal government as well as his or her state and locale of residence.

The green card also serves as a reentry document, meaning that the holder has the right to reenter the United States after a short absence, without providing additional documentation.

It is significant to note that a lawful permanent resident or green card holder is not a U.S. citizen. And, thereby, does not have all the rights associated with citizenship such as voting in national elections.

Does the green card expire?

The green card is permanent, although it must be renewed every 10 years (like a driver’s license needs to be renewed.) However, there are two limitations: First, the holder’s U.S. residence must remain his or her primary residence. Second, conviction of certain crimes will nullify lawful permanent residence status.

How to get a green card

Remember the romantic comedy (1990) feature film, “Green Card?” A young American woman enters into a marriage of convenience so that a Frenchman can attain his green card. Having a family member or fiancé petition for a green card is just one way to become a permanent resident.

The most common ways to get a green card are through:

a family member
a job (typically, a high level professional position)
political asylum or as a refugee

If already in the U.S., a green card applicant goes through a process called “Adjustment of Status” to obtain a green card. If living outside the U.S., the applicant must go through a process called “Consular Processing,” applying at a U.S. embassy or consular outside the U.S.

Who makes these green card rules?

Although most people have heard of “INS” and seen references to it on television, the INS was dissolved in 2003. All immigration matters are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS.) The USCIS is an agency under the Department of Homeland Security.

Where to Get Help Becoming LPR or Obtaining a Green Card

If you have questions regarding obtaining a green card and becoming a lawful permanent resident, consult with a qualified immigration attorney. Immigration is a very specialized area of law; be sure your attorney focuses his or her practice on immigration and getting green cards.

We focus our practice on immigration law, LPR status, and green cards; and, you can reach us at 513-793-6555 or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will gently walk you through the immigration process, represent you in court, and aggressively fight for your legal rights. We look forward to hearing from you.

Filed Under: Asylum, Employment, Family based Immigration, Green Card, Green Card, Green Card, Immigration, Immigration Court, Investor Visas

Why Should I Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

August 1, 2011 By Tom Jr.

Why Should I Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

It is natural to question the benefit of hiring an immigration lawyer, especially in today’s economy. However, anytime you are dealing with the legal system, especially a foreign one, it is likely in your best interest to be represented by an immigration attorney.

If you take the following points into consideration, you are likely to view your immigration lawyer fees as an investment in your family’s future and well-being, not as a questionable expense.

An Immigration Attorney is an Investment Because:

* A qualified immigration attorney understands the innermost workings of the legal system as well as the intricacies of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS.) In addition, he or she knows how to file the appropriate forms, documentation, and fees.

* An immigration attorney keeps abreast of all the law and policy changes, regarding immigration and helping people like you and your family.

* Your immigration lawyer will literally speak the same language as the immigration officials, English. In addition, he understands the language and terminology of immigration laws and the USCIS.

* You attorney is legally and morally obligated to be on your side, representing your best interests.

* In all immigration matters, the consequences of failure are extreme: deportation from the U.S., refusal of admittance to the U.S., and/or separation from family.

* Your immigration lawyer can represent you in court, before the USCIS, and in all meetings or other administrative law courts.

* Your lawyer will answer your questions, address your concerns, and set appropriate expectations so as to eliminate fear of the unknown.

* Once you hire your immigration attorney, you can rest assured that you and your family have an advocate who will aggressively fight for your legal rights. You’re likely to breathe a great sigh of relief, have increased peace of mind, and sleep better at night.

How to Hire an Immigration Attorney

At Geygan and Geygan, we focus our practice on immigration matters so we are uniquely qualified to help you and your family. Success with immigration matters requires a full understanding of the facts, the immigration law, and the current immigration policies. Our office is located in Ohio, but we are licensed to practice immigration law throughout the United States. Please contact our office to discuss how we can help you. All conversations are confidential.

Can an Immigration Attorney Help Me?

July 19, 2011 By Tom Jr.

Can an Immigration Attorney Help Me?

The law is complex because there are many lawyers in many different areas of legal practice. You may not understand what an immigration lawyer does and may be wondering, “Can an immigration attorney help me?”

Immigration Lawyers Help Foreign Nationals Enter or Stay in the United States for Many Purposes

Immigration lawyers help foreign nationals (i.e. people from countries other than the United States) come to or stay in the United States. Perhaps, you want to visit, study, work, live with family, develop an investment or business, entertain, conduct research, become a citizen, or hire a foreign national for work you in the United States. Immigration attorneys do all of these things to help people like you.

Are Your Needs on the Immigration Attorney Matters List?

Here is a specific list of common immigration matters of how we help our clients. If you don’t find your needs on this list, or if you’re unsure of what your specific needs are, please feel free to telephone or email our office. We would be happy to analyze your case and see if we’d be a good fit, free of charge and with no obligation. Of course, our conversations are strictly confidential.

A Listing of Immigration Attorney Matters

Family and Fiancé/Fiancée Visas

- Spouses
- Fiancés
- Children of Spouses
- Children of Fiancés
- Parents
- Siblings (brothers and sisters)
H-1B Visas
H-1B Transfers
Asylum
Investment Visas
PERM/Labor Certificates
EB-1, EP-2, and EP-3 Visas
Consular Issues
E2 Visas
L1 Visa
Doctor, Nurse, and Healthcare Visas
Employment Based Green Cards
O & P Entertainers, Performers, and Athletes
I-601 Hardship Waivers
J-1 Waivers for Physicians
American Citizenship

Where to get help with immigration matters

It’s easy to get help. We will answer your questions and address your concerns. Call or email our immigration lawyers today (Thomasjr@geygan.com.) We will gently walk you through your immigration issues and aggressively fight for your legal rights. Call Geygan & Geygan today: 513-793-6555. Our office is located in Ohio, but we are licensed to practice immigration law throughout the United States.

At Geygan and Geygan, we focus our practice on immigration matters so we are uniquely qualified to help you and your family. Success with immigration matters requires a full understanding of the facts, the immigration law, and the current immigration policies. Please contact our office to discuss how we can help you. All conversations are confidential.

How consular officer are instructed to handle cases where an applicant as drunk driving hits.

June 28, 2011 By Tom Jr.

How consular officer are instructed to handle cases where an applicant as drunk driving hits.

Consular both generally become aware of drunk driving arrest and conviction after receiving the results of fingerprints taken when applicant has a “hit” on one or more of their database. While a drunk driving conviction is not statutory visa ineligibility, a conviction may indicate that further investigation is needed to determine whether not the Applicant may in fact be in eligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The portion of the act could render an individual in eligible is an applicant who has a physical or mental disorder and demonstrates behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has pose, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others.

In the case of an immigrant visa applicant consular officers now must refer the applicant back to the panel physician for additional evaluation in two circumstances. The first being an applicant has a single drunk driving arrest or conviction within the last three calendar years. The second circumstance being two or more drunk driving arrest or conviction in any time period. In addition to those two circumstances consulate officers must also refer applicants the panel positions if there’s any other evidence to suggest an alcohol problem.

In order for an applicant to be found in eligible under the INA section 212 (a) (1) (A) (iii) the physician findings must include:

1. Diagnosis of a mental disorder (which would include alcohol abuse); and

2. Current harmful behavior associated with mental disorder or history of harmful behavior associated with mental disorder this judge likely to recur in the future.

Where to get help

At Geygan and Geygan, we focus our practice on immigration matters so we are uniquely qualified to help you and your family. Success with immigration matters, including the consular processing, requires a full understanding of the facts, the immigration law and the current policies. Please contact our office to discuss how we can help you. All conversations are confidential.

It’s easy to get help. Call or email our immigration lawyers today (Thomasjr@geygan.com.) We will gently walk you through your immigration issues and aggressively fight for your legal rights. Call Geygan & Geygan today: 513-793-6555.

Filed Under: Employment, Employment Visas, Family based Immigration, Family Visas, Green Card, Green Card, Immigration