Whether you are seeking refugee status because of past persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution, a Dallas immigration attorney can help. The US government sets strict requirements for those looking to immigrate and a lawyer can ensure that your application meets all the necessary criteria.

They can also assist with business immigration if you have foreign workers. They will ensure that your company remains in compliance with all immigration laws.

Family Immigration

Every year, countless foreign nationals sponsor their loved ones to legally immigrate to the United States. However, the process is complicated by strict immigration laws with a maximum of 480,000 family preference visas and 7% per country limits.

Under the family-based category, current U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, children, and parents for a green card (permanent residence). However, the process can be overwhelming given USCIS’s changing rules and regulations and the various types of visa categories.

Additionally, due to per-country and numerical caps, many families are forced to wait years to receive their green cards. Fortunately, a competent immigration lawyer dallas can help expedite the process. This allows you to be reunited with your loved ones sooner rather than later.

Green Cards

Green cards are the legal documents that allow non-citizens to live and work in the United States permanently. They also provide a path to citizenship for those who want it.

Family-based green cards are available to individuals who wish to bring their immediate family (spouses, children and parents) into the country. Refugee and asylum green cards are available to individuals who have fled persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality or political opinion.

Employment-based green cards are granted to individuals who wish to work for a U.S. employer. The specific categories vary according to your job duties and educational and professional qualifications. In addition to the right to work, a green card allows holders access to public benefits such as healthcare through Medicare and Medicaid.

Citizenship

Citizenship is a relationship of rights and duties that are bestowed upon individuals by the state in which they live. It confers a broad range of civil, political and social rights that are not afforded to non-citizens and it carries with it duties that may include allegiance, taxation and military service.

A major benefit of citizenship is that it allows you to petition for more types of family members to immigrate (siblings, spouses and parents) than green card holders can. In addition, citizens have access to a wider range of government benefits including Supplemental Security Income, food stamps and general assistance.

Generally, you can apply for citizenship through naturalization five years after obtaining your green card (honorable discharge from military service counts toward that requirement). An immigration attorney can help you navigate the process with efficiency.

Asylum

Asylum is a form of legal protection offered to people who flee their home country because they are afraid to return for any reason. Asylees have the right to work in the United States, and they can petition for immediate family members to join them. They also have the right to obtain an unrestricted social security card and a state identification card.

But obtaining asylum is not easy. The requirements are strict, and there is a long backlog in immigration courts. Additionally, the definition of “fear of persecution” is very narrow, and many applicants have a difficult time showing this. Moreover, most asylum seekers are without legal assistance. Many of them cannot afford a lawyer, and pro bono services are limited. As a result, their cases are often denied.

Business Immigration

For foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States on a temporary basis, there are several types of nonimmigrant visas available. A qualified immigration lawyer can determine which visa correctly fits the individual’s circumstances.

In a global economy, companies rely on skilled workers from around the world. A corporate immigration lawyer can help employers navigate complex laws and procedures, ensuring that key employees have the visas they need to stay and grow their businesses.

Asylum and refugee law is an allied area of practice, providing protection to individuals who are persecuted or at risk of persecution in their home countries. An experienced asylum and refugee attorney can help these individuals obtain the relief they need. They can also provide representation in removal proceedings before the immigration court and federal court of appeals.