The United States welcomes immigrants each year from all parts of the world. Some of them are seeking asylum, which means they have experienced persecution or are in fear of persecution in their country and want to stay in the United States. There are several steps...
Immigration
What if an immigrant is being unlawfully detained?
In recent years, immigration has been such a difficult issue to navigate that many people are nervous about their status. Even people who have done their best to follow the law wonder what might happen to them if they are investigated and arrested. Many in Virginia...
Do I have to tell the police my immigration status?
Talking to police makes most people anxious and stressed, even if they have done nothing wrong. If you are an immigrant and have an encounter with the police or immigration agents, the experience can be even more frightening, especially if you are asked about your...
Can you be deported because of a DUI?
Drunk driving is dangerous. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 32% of all fatal traffic accidents in the state in 2019 were alcohol-related. In an effort to improve traffic safety, Virginia has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the nation....
How to obtain an E-2 visa
An E-2 visa is an entrepreneurial visa allowing foreign nationals to temporarily enter the U.S. and develop a for-profit business where they own at least a 50% share and in which they’ve made a substantial investment. There’s neither floor nor ceiling for that...
Obtaining and renewing a green card
A green card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows its holder to live and work permanently in the United States. There are several options to obtain a green card and information is available about how to renew it. Green cards One of the most common paths to...
If your child is born in the United States, can you stay?
This is a common question among non-U.S. citizens who give birth to a baby while visiting the United States. Whether the mother is here on vacation or for another temporary reason that does not allow her to remain in the United States permanently or work in the United...
Understanding Temporary Protected Status
With the increase in violence in the world, most notably in Ukraine and Sudan, the mechanics of the program known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are worth revisiting. An overview of the TPS program The TPS program was created by Congress in 1990 as part of the...
Will I lose my green card if I divorce my U.S. citizen spouse?
Sometimes a person enters the United States as the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to get married and live in the United States. If so, they might be granted a conditional green card. The conditional green card is granted to those who have been married less than two years...
Free speech rights clash with immigration law
The First Amendment to the U.S. Bill of Rights guarantees the rights to free speech and assembly. But these may clash with the federal Immigration and Nationality Act that makes it unlawful to encourage a noncitizen to come into, reside or enter this country...