Citizenship: Entails particular rights, obligations and benefits. Amongst many benefits, a U.S. citizen has the right to work in the United States, freedom to travel, protection from deportation, receive federal assistance and participate in the federal voting system.
Naturalization: According to USCIS, naturalization is the process by which citizenship is bestowed upon a lawful permanent resident after fulfilling the requirements established by Congress. Some of the benefits of naturalization include traveling with a U.S. passport, becoming eligible for federal jobs, bringing family members to the United States and obtaining citizenship for children born abroad. Some of the limitations include renewing your green card, risk of deportation and stricter laws governing travel and reentry into the United States.
Immigration Consultation: We offer a free, one time, initial consultation to become familiar with your immigration questions and goals. We will explain to you what immigration strategies you may qualify for. We will provide you with a fee estimate. We would hold in great respect to have the opportunity of working on your immigration case. However, you do not become a client of James Raphael Law, LLC merely by having a consultation. If you decide to hire attorney Raphael and should he agree to accept your immigration case, then we would ask you to sign a written representation agreement, explaining the scope of our services, fees, and other terms and conditions. The immigration consultation by itself, does not create either an Attorney-Client relationship or any duty to provide any services other than the consultation.
EB5 Immigrant Investor Program: The Immigration Act of 1990 allows a method for eligible immigrant investors to become lawful permanent residents. As of November 21, 2019, investors need to invest at least $900,000 to finance a business in the United States that will employ at least 10 American workers. There are a number of elements required under this program that Attorney Raphael will inform you on once we assess your case.
EB2 Visa: The EB2 visa is the second preference employment-based green card category that allows US permanent residency to foreing nationals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
I-751 Green Card Renewal for Conditional Residents: This petition is used by a conditional resident who obtained status through marriage, to ask that USCIS eliminate the conditions on his or her residence.
Green Card Through Family
Green Card Through Marriage
K1 Visa: Also known as the fiance visa, a K1 visa permits the engaged partner of a U.S. citizen to come into the United States given that the couple gets married within 90 days. The spouse can then apply for permanent residence based on the marriage.
K3 Visa: The K3 spouse visa is a nonimmigrant visa which permits the spouses of U.S. citizens to come into the U.S. and wait for an immigrant visa.
K4 Visa: The K4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which permits the children of a K3 spouse visa holder to come into the U.S. and wait for an immigrant visa.
H-1B Visa: Under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101, this type of visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. There are also guidelines as to the duration of stay under this visa.
L1 Visa: This type of visa is to enter the United States for the purpose of work in L-1 status. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is valid for a fairly short duration of time, from three months to five years, depending on a reciprocity schedule. Extensions allow for a maximum stay of seven years.
O-1 Visa: According to the USCIS, this is a non-immigrant temporary worker visa authorized by the United States to an immigrant "who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements", and to some assistants and immediate family members of such immigrants.
P Visa: This is a type of temporary employment visa, granted to immigrant athletes, artists, entertainers, and their spouses and children.
U Visa: This is a nonimmigrant visa which is reserved for victims of crimes who have suffered considerable mental or physical abuse while in the U.S. and who are willing to help law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of such crimes.
R1 Visa: The R-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which permits entry to the United States for service as a minister or other religious work. The organization must be registered as a non-profit in the United States, or authorized for the use of a group tax exemption. The person must have worked at a minimum, the preceding two years as a member of a religious denomination, and work at least 20 hours a week for the organization while in the US. In addition to clergy, religious brothers/sisters as well as lay missionaries may receive visas.
These are some of the immigration services provided by James Raphael Law, LLC. If you have other questions or concerns relating to immigration law that are not listed, please feel free to call or write us an email with your questions.
