The subject of immigration in the U.S. makes headlines almost weekly. What’s more, if you’re a business owner who hires immigrants in your business, you must stay on top of immigration law.
There are multiple avenues a person can take to legally enter the United States, from obtaining a work visa to seeking political asylum. However, without proper understanding of immigration policies and procedures, it can be a tricky course to navigate. Therefore, having a Florida immigration lawyer is an invaluable resource to have on your side.
How to Apply for U.S Citizenship in South Florida
South Florida sees a large influx of people seeking to become U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to do this. There are a few steps to take when applying for citizenship in the U.S.
First, after you’ve determined that you are eligible for citizenship, you must fill out and submit an Application for Naturalization. After that, you may need to make a biometrics appointment.
Basically, this is a general doctor’s appointment where they conduct a number of tests to determine your overall health. For example, they want to determine whether or not you have conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Also, they want to understand if you’ll be prone to these in the future.
Next, you’ll have the interview and feedback on your naturalization form. At this point, your application may either be granted, continued, or denied. If it’s granted, you will receive notice to take the oath. If it’s continued, you may need to submit more evidence or documents. Unfortunately, if your form is denied, you won’t be able to gain citizenship.
There are a few U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in South Florida. These are located in Miami, Oakland Park, West Palm Beach, and Hialeah.
What Are the Requirements for a Green Card?
A Green Card is not the same as U.S. citizenship. The possession of a Green Card means you can legally live and work in the United States. However, you cannot vote in any elections or be part of a U.S. draft. A U.S. citizen would be eligible for both of these.
You can apply for a Green Card through marriage, family, a job offer, or employment. Also, you might be a refugee or you could be seeking asylum. Alternatively, you can self-petition. In order to get a Green Card you must:
- Be eligible for one of the immigrant categories established in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
- Have a qualifying immigrant petition filed and approved
- Have an immigrant visa immediately available
Causes for Deportation
Of course, as with anything, it is possible to lose these privileges. It does not happen often, and the circumstances are extreme. However, the United States has every right to expel someone back to their home country. For example, a person can be deported if they:
- Fail to maintain the terms of their visa
- Fail to advise USCIS of a change of address
- Commit a crime
- Violate immigration laws
- Are receiving public assistance or relying on government-based assistance.
One small error and you are looking at getting deported from the country. According to the top immigration attorneys in Atlanta, it is important to ensure that all your paperwork is always in order and that you do not miss any dates with the authorities. While you may be busy working two shifts in a day, it is the responsibility of your immigration attorney to help you with all these issues in a successful fashion.
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Hire a Florida Immigration Lawyer
You might feel like you fully understand the process and have all the resources you need. However, matters like these are important. You don’t want to make a mistake, especially if you are trying to get to the U.S. to be with family or a loved one.
Moreover, if you’re a business owner who hires immigrants, encourage your employees to seek legal counsel in order to remain legally employed with you.
To help you better understand, it is best to hire a Florida immigration lawyer to help with your case. They can ensure that you follow all the proper steps and get you into this country efficiently and legally.
