Our team of attorneys in Harrisonburg VA are frequently sought out for our expertise in representing immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
GENERAL CATEGORIES OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE US
Immigration law divides non-Americans present in the U.S. into three general groups: “immigrants” are foreign nationals who intend to immigrate permanently into the United States while “nonimmigrants” are those who intend to return home after the completion of their stay (as a tourist, a student, or an employee, for example). An “undocumented” person is one who entered the United States without U.S. permission or who overstayed her permission to be present in the United States. Once naturalized as a U.S. Citizen, she is no longer an immigrant.
You can learn more about the US citizenship process for legal immigrants at https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANT STATUS IN AMERICA?
The US annually provides hundreds of thousands of immigration visas to individuals and families who meet the necessary qualifications, including, but not limited to:
- They have family members such as a parent or spouse who are citizens of the United States
- They have a specific employment qualification such as being an investor, unskilled worker or religious worker
- They require humanitarian support as in the case of refugees and others seeking asylum
WHAT RIGHTS DO LEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE IN THE US?
The United States of America’s Constitution and Bill of Rights apply to every individual within the country, no matter their current immigration status. Everyone, regardless of status, has the right to due process and equal protection under the law. In exchange, there are also responsibilities to uphold.
Rights exclusively for US Citizens:
- The right to vote
- The right to run for elected office
- The right to hold a Federal job
Rights to which everyone in the United States is entitled:
- Freedom to express yourself
- Freedom to worship as you wish
- Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
- Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Responsibilities:
- Support and defend the Constitution.
- Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
- Participate in the democratic process.
- Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
- Participate in your local community.
- Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
- Serve on a jury when called upon.
- Defend the country if the need should arise.
YOUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS IN HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA
Whether you want to bring a loved one to the United States or you need to fix or update your status, if you need an immigration lawyer in Harrisonburg VA, our multi-lingual team at Cook Attorneys are here to support you.
Many of our clients begin looking for immigration lawyers near Harrisonburg VA only after their DIY application has been denied. You can read our article “Reasons Why You Shouldn’t DIY Your Immigration Process (Without the Help of an Immigration Attorney)” here.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you and your family with immigration matters. We can arrange for a translator to join the consultation to provide you with English as a second language support. Se habla Espanol.
