Download Understanding U.S. Immigration: Reasons, Categories, and Processes and more Slides Immigration Law in PDF only on Docsity! How to Immigrate to the United States Docsity.com Introduction U.S. immigration laws govern: • Who can come to this country; • How long they can stay; and • The benefits they may access. Docsity.com The Hierarchy of U.S. Immigration 1. U.S. Citizen 2. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) 3. Asylee / Refugee 4. Temporary Visa Holder 5. Undocumented Person Docsity.com Non–immigrants / Temporary Status • Students • Temporary Workers • Visitors • Others People who stay for a limited amount of time: Docsity.com Immigrants/ Lawful Permanent Residents A. Lawful permanent residents (LPR’s) have permission to remain in the US for as long as they choose. B. They must replace their green card every 10 years and remain crime free. Docsity.com Family-Based Immigration U.S. citizens can help to immigrate: A.Immediate Relatives – visa immediately available • Spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents of adult citizens B.Family-sponsored preferences – all categories must wait for a visa • Unmarried adult sons/daughters • Married sons/daughters • Siblings of adult citizens Docsity.com Family-Based Immigration Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) can help to immigrate: • Spouses and unmarried children under 21 • Unmarried sons/daughters 21 and older Docsity.com Waiting Times to Immigrate (Family) Family Preference All Countries except those listed Mexico Philippines Spouses, children under 21, parents (citizens) No wait No wait No wait Unmarried adult children (citizens) February 15, 2006 December 22, 1992 April 1, 1997 Spouses and children under 21 (LPR) June 1, 2010 March 1, 2010 June 1, 2010 Unmarried adult children (LPR) June 1, 2005 June 22, 1992 September 1, 2002 Married children (citizens) June 1, 2002 October 22, 1992 March 1, 1995 Siblings (citizens) January 1, 2002 December 15, 1995 April 1, 1991 These are waiting times as of November 2010. Docsity.com U.S. Citizen A. People BORN in the U.S. or territory B. People born to a U.S. citizen parent or having your parent become a citizen (before you turn 18) C. People who are permanent residents and naturalize Docsity.com How to become a Naturalized Citizen: • Have a green card for 5 years • Be physically present in the U.S. for 2.5 years • Pay an application fee • Pass the citizenship test • Pass the interview in English • Swear to the judge you will follow the laws of the US • Be of good moral character Docsity.com Immigrating is NOT easy • Families wait years to be reunited and some members may never be able to immigrate to the U.S. • Few visas for low-skill workers • Immigration is expensive – some people can’t afford the fees Docsity.com Detention ICE operates the largest detention program in the US: 378,582 non-citizens from 221 countries in 2008. Mandatory detention for many refugees without a hearing by a court. Weeks or months in jail waiting for a hearing or pursue an appeal. Docsity.com Deportation People may be deported from the U.S. if they violate immigration laws. In fiscal year 2009, ICE completed 387,790 deportations. From 1997 to 2007, over one million family members have been separated by deportation. Docsity.com
