The dos and don’ts of becoming a U.S. lawful permanent resident

The process of becoming a U.S. lawful permanent resident is long and often complicated. Only an expert in the laws of a country such as best immigration lawyer, NY can help the immigrants get their green card. However, not all immigrants are eligible to work in the country. It is necessary for the immigrants to know the necessary dos and don'ts of getting their green card. 

 

Here is the comprehensive list of dos and don’t assembled by the best immigration attorney in New York that can help an immigrant get understanding of the green card process.

The Dos

• It is crucial that you follow the instructions present on the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms. Failure to follow and provide the information can lead to significant delays in the green card process.
• Remember to attach the documents that are asked for and provide appropriate translations where required. If the documents are missing, the USCIS will not process the forms
• USCIS requires the green card applicant to get photographed. Check your local USCIS office to check if they have onsite photographer; if not check the protograph instructions provided.
• English is the non native language of the majority of immigrants. The USCIS offices have interpreters present if need arises. Green card applicant can also get their own interpreters.
• If as an immigrant you have been denied entry to the country, convicted of crime, overstayed a visa, deported or are in the country illegally, make sure you hire best immigration attorney in New York.
• Make sure that you tell your attorney in depth about the previously denied entries and any problems with USCIS. An experienced attorney would be able to find a solution for your problem.
• It is necessary that you hire an attorney, if you are accepting any public benefits, you can lose your green card. 
  
  
  

The Don’ts

Here are a few things that you shouldn’t do when you have applied for green card:

• Do not commit any crime. You will be deported.
• Do not engage in any kind of politically subversive activities
• Do not give legal advice for money. Your experience as a green card holder does not make you an expert.
• Do not smuggle any illegal immigrants in the country.
• Do not create an impression that you are not living in the country.
• Do not lie on any USCIS form.
• Do not lie to any USCIS officers.

The process of getting a green card in United States takes time and patience. Make sure you hire best immigration lawyer, NY to help you out. Contact Wildes & Weinberg. They are leading immigration attorneys with offices in five cities.

Becoming a U.S. citizen via neutralization

If you’re already a permanent resident of the United States, you may be eligible to become a U.S. citizen with a neutralization process. However, you need to fulfill the visa requirements created by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act. With the best immigration attorney in NYC, you can remain carefree about the required documents and the entire process.

The following are the steps of becoming a citizen of the United States through neutralization.

Complete and submit the U.S. citizenship application form - In order to become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through neutralization, you need to fulfill the below requirements.

• You must be 18 years old and above
• Should legally hold a green card for five years
• Need to possess a good moral character
• Must be physically present in the U.S. for at least five years.
• Possess basic knowledge of the English language.
• Must be familiar with the U.S. history and government.
  

Fulfill the biometric services

• Once you receive the application receipt notice provided by the USCIS, make a visit to the local Application Support Center as addressed in the USCIS letter to get your fingerprint.
• Meanwhile, the USCIS conducts a proper background check according to the information that you’ve given in the application form.
• In some cases, the USCIS may also ask for other supporting documents from your side.

Appear for the interview and exam conducted by the USCIS

• If the USCIS has analyzed your background check and found no discrepancies, you will be sent an interview appointment letter.
• When it comes to appearing for the interview make sure you reach half an hour before your interview time. Also, don’t forget to bring the USCIS letter with you.
• Bring your photo and copies of the photo that you submitted with your application.
• Try giving simple and honest answers to your interviewer.
• Appear for the English and history tests.

• If you clear your interview and test, you will get to know on the same day, or you may have to wait for a few days.

Become a part of the oath-taking ceremony - If you pass the interview and exam, you will get another letter from the USCIS with the time, date and location of the oath-taking ceremony.

• Make sure you arrive 30 minutes to one hour before the specified time on the invitation letter.
• For this occasion, you must dress formally.

• Return your permanent resident to the USCIS.
• Become a part of the oath ceremony along with other applicants.
• Receive your neutralization certificate, which confirms that you are now a citizen of the U.S.

It is necessary to meet all the requirements given to you by the USCIS to become a U.S. citizen via neutralization. Are you searching for the best immigration attorney in NYC? Contact Wildes & Weinberg P.C.They have the experienced and reliable immigration lawyers in New York.

Top green card alternatives to the EB-5 investor visa

When it comes to the U.S. immigration system, the U.S. immigration system, it is all about uncertainties and complexities. Although there are several routes an overseas investor can take to alter EB-5 investor visa to a green card, even the most well-known ways are not easy. If you’re considering to become a permanent residence in the United States, you should be aware of the taxation on international income. For this reason, make sure you hire the best immigration attorney in New York to better assistance throughout the process.

As per the EB-5 program, immigrant entrepreneurs and their families become U.S. citizens by investing $500,000 to $1,000,000 in a commercial business within the U.S. and should create ten permanent jobs for U.S. citizens. However, during the scrutiny period, either the business may fail, or the funds could be limited to keep the company running. Therefore, we have come up with top green car alternatives to the EB-5 investor visa.

Extraordinary ability - The EB-1A extraordinary ability petition is an excellent option for people who have experienced backlogs with EB-5 investor visa. To be eligible for this category, an applicant needs to possess extraordinary abilities in their respective fields from being pro researchers to professors. Most permanent residence paths have significant backlogs, but EB-1A extraordinary ability petition usually doesn’t have any backlog. Besides this, extraordinary ability category is also eligible for premium processing service, which means USCIS will give a decision within as much as 15 days. The applicant must meet three out of ten criteria determined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to be eligible for extraordinary ability.

EB-1C multinational manager - The EB-1C multinational executives or manager category is another excellent alternative for foreign entrepreneurs. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an applicant requires employment in a U.S. company for at least a year. The USCIS also requires the foreign national to hold the position of executive or manager.

Do you want to apply for citizenship in EB-1C multinational manager category? Keep in mind that the affiliate, subsidiary or corporation should be based in the United States and should in the field for more than a year. There are several immigration lawyers in NYC offering proper assistance throughout the application process.

EB-2 national interest waiver - This category is an option for entrepreneurs who possess exceptional skills, which can have an impact on the U.S. If you’re choosing EB-2 national interest waiver category, make sure you hold ten years of experience in your respective field, take home a high salary, have licenses, are a member of professional associations, and have recognitions for your achievements.

The high investment and backlogs for individuals in countries such as China and India make the EB-5 program to lose its credibility. Are you looking for the best immigration attorney in New York? Contact Wildes & Weinberg

Requirements for an EB-5 investor visa

With EB-5 visa, foreign investors can get immigrated to the United States by investing a minimum of 1 million US$ in a commercial business and create at least 10 full-time jobs for the U.S. citizens. However, to become eligible for the EB-5 visa program, each candidate has to fulfill certain criteria established by the USCIS. In most of the cases, people hire an immigration lawyer for better assistance from the application process to the interview. Although there are many immigration lawyers, you have to choose the best immigration lawyer in New York. 

If you’re planning to apply for the US investor visa, you must know the basic eligibility criteria and requirements. The following are the important requirements for an EB-5 investor visa.

USCIS requirements:

• Job creation requirement
• Investment requirement
• Business entity requirement
• Benefits to the U.S. economy requirement

Initial investor requirements and documents

While applying for an EB-5 visa, there are many documents an applicant has to submit. But, the document checklist varies from one investor to another. Generally, an investor and the family members have to submit the following documents.

Personal documents

Here are the documents candidates and their family members such as spouse and unmarried children under 21 years have to provide.

• The applicant and family members have to submit a complete personal bio.
• Identification documents such as passports, birth certificates, driver’s license, social security cards and national identity cards of the applicant and family members.
• If the investor is married, the candidate and spouse have to provide their marriage certificate.
• Employment and business history.
• An immigrant investor has to submit certified copies of education diplomas and degrees.
• If the applicant  was convicted for a crime, the court and prison records have to be provided.
• Each member of the family has to submit two passport size color photographs and passport.

Financial documents

The following are the financial documents foreign investors have to submit to the USCIS.

• Documents proving source of income.
• Proof of capital funds.
• Ownership and tax documents.
• Other financial documents such as bank statements, security agreements, loan and mortgage documents, stock certificates and promissory notes.

Application forms required for EB-5 investor visa

Given below are the application forms an immigrant and his family members need to fill and submit.

• Form I-526 - As a proof of required investment.
• Form DS-230 - For foreign investors who want to apply for conditional permanent residency.
• Form I-485 - Required for investors who are already living in the US and want to apply for conditional permanent residency.
• Form I-829 - This form is for removing the conditions required for an EB-5 visa.

Do you want to know your eligibility for EB-5 investor visa? You must hire the best immigration lawyer in New York. Need an immigration lawyer in NYC? Contact Wildes & Weinberg P.C.  They employee some of the best immigration lawyers in NYC.

E2 visa: How to convert it into a green card

The E-2 is the primary investor visa that allows a foreign national to set their business in the United States by investing a substantial amount of investment in a U.S. business. If you’re the one holding a U.S. E-2 visa, we’ll brief you with top ways of converting your investor visa into a green card to get the permanent residence of the U.S. However it is always recommended to hire an expert for better assistance. There are various well-qualified and experienced immigration lawyers in New Jersey who can help you in getting a green card. Here are the tops ways to convert your E-2 visa into a green card.

Invest more capital and obtain EB-5 green card — Typically, every foreign national entering into the US to set a business by obtaining an E-2 work visa is obliged to invest a substantial amount of money. They need to invest at least $200, 000 USD and their business should create a minimum of five jobs for US citizens in five years. However, if you have more money, you could also apply for an EB-5 green card while continuing to operate your business in the U.S. under the E-2 investor visa. To apply for an EB-5 visa, you have to invest $1 million dollars and create 10 new jobs to qualify your company. It’s mandatory that the money you invest is traceable.

• Invest in a regional project and obtain a EB-5 visa — Instead of directly investing $1 million in your own business, you could also invest $500, 000 into a regional center project while continuing to run your own E-2 visa business. The requirement to create 10 jobs can be fulfilled indirectly by the regional center project. Well, this is a comparatively less expensive way to obtain an EB-5 visa. You can always get the assistance of experts by hiring the best immigration attorney in NJ.
• Find an employer to sponsor you — Another way is to find an employer who would sponsor you, or maybe your spouse, for a permanent residency. In some cases, if someone is hired for the right position and possesses enough qualifications to be exceptionally capable, they can even get an exemption from a PERM labor certification.
• Get sponsorship by a family member — If you have a close relative in the U.S. who is holding a U.S. green card or citizen, that relative can sponsor you EB-5 green card while you continue to manage and your business under the E-2 vis

One thing, you should always remember while converting E-2 visa into a green card is that lots of requirements need to be fulfilled for a green card which is not required for E-2 visa. If you’re searching for reliable and qualified immigration lawyers in New Jersey, contact Wildes & Weinberg. They have the best immigration attorney in NJ.

Is open borders solution to America’s immigration problem?

The days in the life of immigrants are tough. Recently a news has surfaced of a man being detained while he was driving his wife to the hospital for the birth of their child. The wife was left stranded at the fuel station and had to driver herself to the hospital. While the ICE agents say that the Mexican man was an undocumented immigrant who was wanted by the Mexican government on the homicide charges, the wife denies it. The wife says that while it is true that she is an undocumented immigrant, her husband is not and they have been living in the country for past 10 years. Variety of immigration lawyers in New York are still calling the policies of the Trump administration cruel and are calling them out on their inability to reunite the children that were taken away from their immigrants parents.

What are open borders?
More and more immigrants are asking to make the borders of the country more open rather than making the immigration policies stricter. While the Trump and his strict immigration advocates talk about the national security and low crime rates to make their policies more liked. However, what people cannot see is the loss of talented workforce, taxpayers money and the Trump’s willingness “to 'shut down' government" unless Congress approves funding for a border wall with Mexico.”

If government agrees about the open borders, there would be no problem of the legal or illegal immigration. All the current residents of the country can be granted the rights to live and work in the country. This would remove any immigration problem. Many countries such as European union, East African Community, Gulf cooperation council and more use open borders to create more opportunities and economic gain.

According to an 2013 report, the cost of enforcement of immigration laws was $18 billion annually. $18 billion dollars of the taxpayers money that can be used to make the country more developed and life of the residents more easier. The money can be used in the healthcare, technology, education, tourism and other sectors. However, the plan is just a theory can would not be applied by the US government practically.

If you are an immigrant and want to have the best immigration attorney in Miami to have a look at your case, contact Wildes & Weinberg. They are the leading immigration firm with expert team and offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and New Jersey.

I-Visa: What you should know about it?

The current administration has made numerous changes to the immigration process. The parameters of majority of visas are changed and the immigrants have to understand how to make the immigration system work for them. From filling of the forms to their submission, the I-visa has become complex for a layman immigrant to understand. The immigration attorney in Los Angeles advice the immigrants (present and potential) to consult the experts.

What is I-visa?

The I-visa is specifically for the representative of the foreign media. Currently, it is a nonimmigrant visa. You can only fall under this visa if you represent any foreign media such as film, radio, press etc. Any immigrants who fall under this category need to be working as reporters, film crew, editors and any other similar occupations.

Eligibility Parameters:

To be eligible under I visa, the individual needs to:

• Be coming to the country to only engage in the profession of foreign media.
• Have the home office or headquarters in the home country
• Be an individual who is under 21 and he should be accompanied by or should join an I-visa nonimmigrant already present in the country.

It is extremely important that you should be able to demonstrate the reasons behind your visit and your job activities should be necessary to your organization. A consular at the embassy will determine if you have qualified to obtain the visa.

Application Process:

To apply for the I-visa, the applying individual needs to visit the America embassy or consulate present in their home country. The application will be processed to the Department of State where the visa application process will be established along with the issuance fee.

To engage in your profession in US, you need to have I-visa. Without the visa, anything you do will do professionally would be considered illegal. This applies to you even if your country is part of U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Any attempt to travel and work in the country without proper visa would result in non-admission and deportation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

If you are still searching for the best immigration lawyers in Los Angeles, consult Wildes & Weinberg. They have leading immigration lawyers specializing in family-based immigration cases.