Immigration laws determine who may enter the United States, when or if they must leave, and who may become legal permanent residents and naturalized citizens. Federal rules of the United States govern immigration law. An immigrant visa is a permit to work in the...
Immigration
U.S. citizenship: how to prove good moral character
If you live in New York for at least three months, are 18 or older and meet the requirements for naturalization, you may apply for citizenship. Although residency is an essential part of becoming a U.S. citizen, it’s not the only one. Becoming a naturalized American...
Does the US recognize marriages performed abroad?
If you are a U.S. citizen engaged to a foreign citizen and you want to tie the knot in another country, or you recently married a foreign citizen outside of the U.S., it is important to review immigration matters if you want them to live with you in the United States....
Are you eligible for a green card?
As someone seeking to move to the United States for an extended period of time or live here in the long term, you have several paths available to you. However, a green card is the first option that many individuals will take. But to get a green card, you must fall...
Removing the conditions on a green card
Marrying a U.S. citizen and moving to the United States allows foreign nationals to obtain a green card. While this card indicates that the holder is a legal permanent resident, there are two different status options. The regular card lasts 10 years, but a conditional...
3 mistakes that could cost you your green card
The road to U.S. citizenship is not always an easy or smooth one, and part of the process entails securing a green card. A green card grants you lawful permanent residency in New York or another U.S. state until enough time has passed that you may move forward with...
The process of marrying a foreign-citizen fiancé
If a U.S. citizen has a fiancé who is a citizen of, and lives in, another country, there are certain steps that the fiancé must take before entering the country and marrying the U.S. citizen. The path the fiancé must take is through a K-1 visa. After marriage, the...
Can VAWA provide immigrants protection?
Immigrant women and other victims of crime may seek protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA may provide the protection you need. It also provides crucial services to other survivors of domestic abuse and violence. Unfortunately, VAWA is currently...
Do you need to find a joint sponsor?
If you have married someone from outside the country, you may already know that U.S. immigration law allows citizens to sponsor their foreign spouses for legal permanent residency. You may not realize, though, that you must submit an affidavit of support on behalf of...
Can I bring my sibling to the U.S.?
You may be a citizen of the United States but that does not mean that every member of your family is a citizen of the U.S. If you have brothers or sisters who hold citizenship in other countries and you wish them to join you in the United States, you will want to...