Apply for Citizenship in the United States

US citizenship is considered to be the most valuable status bestowed by the United States. That is because the US citizens enjoy a lot of benefits and privileges. They are also entitled to the rights and the freedom which are guaranteed by America. Foreign-born nationals may become US citizens through a process called Naturalization. A foreign national may apply for citizenship to become an American citizen and this is the important and the final step towards their journey to America.

People who are born in the United States are US citizens through their birth in America. An immigrant who is a lawful permanent resident in the United States may become a US citizen through Naturalization, on meeting all the requirements needed to become a US citizen. Green Card holders or lawful permanent residents are provided with certain rights and privileges. But the Green Card holders will be entitled to various other benefits and rights as that of a native US citizen by becoming a Naturalized US citizen.

Why should you Apply for Citizenship in America?

On becoming a US citizen, you will automatically be entitled to a lot of citizenship benefits. The right which is considered to be the most important is the right to vote in the US federal elections and the other important benefit is that you will not be deported from the United States.

Steps Involved in Applying for Citizenship

In order to apply for citizenship in the United States, you must be a person who is over 18 years of age. You must also possess a valid Green Card or a permanent resident card. You must have possessed the Green Card for 5 consecutive years and more. Most of all, you must possess good moral character, people involving in criminal activities will not be allowed to become US citizens.

While applying for American citizenship, make sure that you are aware of the American law and history, because you must pass an English and a Civics test, which is a part of the naturalization process. Your continuous and permanent residence in the United States is a mandatory requirement to become an American citizen.

Filing the Application for Naturalization

On meeting all the eligibility requirements, you may apply for citizenship by filing Form N-400 with the USCIS. Answer all the questions on the form accurately and honestly. If you fail to miss out anything on the form or if you provide false information, your US citizenship application may be denied. Hence make sure that you provide true information about yourself. Moreover, at the citizenship interview, you will be asked questions about your application, and if there is discrepancy between your answers in the interview and the details on your form, you will be denied US citizenship.

To avoid such circumstances, it is good to provide all the true details about yourself on your application form. After filling the application, send it along with the required photographs and correct filing fee to the right Lockbox facility of the USCIS.

Once the USCIS receives your application, your application will be checked for accuracy and the processing of your form will begin. After your form is approved, the USCIS will send you a letter regarding the biometrics appointment, where your fingerprints will be taken.

You will then receive an appointment letter asking you to be present for an interview with a Consular Officer. You must take up the English and the Civics tests. Once you clear all these processes, you will be notified about the Naturalization ceremony where you will take the oath of Allegiance to America, to become a US citizen. Hence, a foreign national who wishes to become a US citizen, must apply for citizenship through Naturalization.

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Getting a UK Tourist Visa for the London 2012 Olympics

A UK Tourist Visa (otherwise known as a UK Visit Visa) allows the holder to enter the UK in order to visit the UK for a number of purposes. If you're looking to attend the 2012 Olympics in the UK this summer and you require a UK Visa in order to gain entry, then a UK Tourist Visa will be the most likely route by which you can obtain a UK Visa.

UK Immigration Barristers services exist into order to help clients obtain a UK Tourist Visa and some have even adapted the name of the UK Tourist Visa to 2012 Olympic Visa in order to make the process of finding the right visa type a much simpler process. Therefore, it may be worthwhile looking into how this type of service could assist you.

In order to get a UK Tourist Visa, applicants must be eligible to apply. The following requirements need to be satisfied in order to apply for a UK Tourist Visa:

1. Applicants must plan to visit the UK for a maximum of six months and must leave once that six month period has expired.

2. Applicants will need to show that they have sufficient funds in order to support a stay in the UK without having to rely on the use of public funds.

3. Applicants must visit the UK with no intention to study and evidence will also need to be provided that you do not intend to charge members of the public for any services that have been provided.

Once in the UK the holder of a UK Tourist Visa allows the holder to remain in the UK for a period of two years, if granted for more than one entry to the UK. However, it is worth noting that you can only remain in the UK for up to six months at any given time.

The application process for getting a UK Tourist Visa for the 2012 Olympics began back in January 2012 and with high application numbers expected it is certainly worth getting started on an application now if you intend to come to Britain for the Olympic Games.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest sporting event ever to take place in the UK. An estimated four billion people are expected to tune in worldwide and around 14,000 athletes from 205 nations will be coming to take part.

Upon arrival in the UK, all your documentation will be checked, i.e. Passport and your UK Visa. This will often be carried out by means of a scanning system. UK border control aims to process all passengers within 45 minutes, but during peak times and particularly over the duration of the Olympic Games, people can expect increased waiting times.

What is important is that you make sure that you have done everything you can to ensure a smooth passage through UK Immigration control. Make sure you hold a valid Passport that is in date and be sure to have all your documentation to hand to speed up the process.

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Weighing Your Options of Reducing Cost in a Slow Rising Economy With H-1B Employees on Staff

Even though the economy continues to shutter, and while it seems many employers are more confident in hiring, some are continuing to express concerns about their H-1B employees. Many of these employers are feeling the pressures of diminishing revenues combined with increasing overhead costs. Unfortunately, many employers are having to layoff employees in order to keep the business afloat until their industry recovers. While others are trying to keep a lower overhead, but holding on to those valued employees; specifically, after spending thousands of dollars training them.

Many employers are now asking, "can I reduce the hours of my H-1B employees in order to keep them on staff and be in compliance with the law?" Generally, yes, you can do this; however, the employer must first make a couple of changes in their filings with DOL and USCIS.

It is unlawful to change an H-1B employee from full-time to part-time status without continuing to pay that employee the agreed wage stated in the previously-filed and certified Labor Condition Application. Nevertheless, it is legal for an employer to make a change in the number of hours worked by an H-1B employee, after the proper filings have been done.

How is a full-time worker status defined with respect to H-1B employees? The U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") views full-time employment to be approximately 40 hours per week, but in no case considerably less than 35 hours per week. Making things more difficult for H-1B employers, the DOL views any significant decrease by the employer of its normal weekly full-time hours to be a movement towards part-time H-1B employment.

What can an employer do if it wants to reduce its H-1B employee's hours? According to the DOL, the employer must file and receive a new certified Labor Condition Application showing the position being filled by the H-1B employee is now part-time employment (less than 35 hours). Even if the new Labor Condition Application is certified for a part-time position, the employer must still pay the H-1B employee for at least the number of hours stated upon the 1-129 petition the employer initially filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") - unless an amended 1-129 petition is also filed, stating the new employee's lowered number of work hours.

The employer does not have to wait for the amended petition to be approved by USClS, before reducing the work hours. Generally, as long as the amended petition has been filed, such changes can be implemented. With the rise of H-1B audits by DOL in the last two quarters of 2011, this process is taken very seriously by the DOL. The DOL will prosecute claims against an employer that has knowingly filed an LCA containing misrepresentations or that has failed to pay its H-1B nonimmigrant employee the stated wage. Also, the DOL's penalties can be significant to the employer. Initial and negligent violations may include a $1,000.00 fine per violation, as well as payment of back wages. But a willful violation can carry a penalty of up to $35,000.00 as well as other penalties, such as debarment from petitioning of other H-IB visa employees.

Due to the complicated issues involved and prospective exorbitant financial penalties, harsh consequences, and ever changing interpretations, an employer should pay careful attention to both DOL regulations and statutes when dealing with similar situations.

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - Fee Exemption

An undocumented immigrant in the United States must file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to request deferred action. Along with that Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and Form I-765WS, Form I-765 Worksheet, must be filed.

A total filing fee of $465 must be paid and a fee waiver may be granted only in limited circumstances. If you cannot pay the required fee to request deferred action, you may submit a letter along with certain supporting documents, to establish your eligibility to receive a fee waiver.

• You may be granted a if you are below age 18 and if you are homeless or lacking parental support. • If you are physically disabled or if you suffer from prolonged disability, unable to take care of yourself, you may request a fee waiver. • You may be granted a waiver, if you had accumulated more than $25,000 in debt and if the debt was due to unreimbursed medical expenses that was made for yourself or your immediate family member.

In all the above three cases, to become eligible for a fee waiver, your income must be lesser than 150% of the US poverty level. Remember that you must not file Form I-821D, without a fee, until your request for a fee waiver is adjudicated by the USCIS. Form I-821D, Form I-765 and Form I-765WS, will be rejected if you file them without a fee and if no record is found that a waiver is granted.

To request fee waiver, you must send a letter to the USCIS, explaining the reason for which you are requesting fee waiver. You must provide the required documentation to support your request. Sign the letter and mail it to a USCIS lockbox.

Once the USCIS receives your letter, the USCIS officers will review your letter and your documents to determine your eligibility. Additional documents if required must be provided and an approval or a denial letter letter will be mailed to you after a decision is made.

To establish your eligibility, you may submit the required documents based on your category. If you are below age 18 and if you are homeless, you may submit copies of your birth certificate along with a letter from an agency, stating that you are in foster care.

You may submit copies of your medical records if you suffer from a chronic disability. If you had accumulated debts within the past 12 months, you may submit copies of unreimbursed medical bills or other records of $25,000 or more.

If your request for a fee waiver is approved by the USCIS and if you receive an approval letter, you must attach a copy of that letter to the package containing Form I-821D, Form I-765 and Form I-765WS and mail it to a USCIS lockbox facility. If your request is not accepted by the USCIS, you may choose to file your application with the required fee or resubmit a fee exemption request with additional documents.

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J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol won National Basketball Association's Walter Citizenship Award. Gasol came across important crossroad where decided to pursue professional basketball or career in medical. His charity work with UNICEF and children's hospital, his family is from medical back ground (Spanish).   What is Citizenship Award?   Being a good citizen is not given importance while you study in school or college. As a citizen responsibility is to exhibit good citizenship skills, productive to the country and caring for the society. Citizens respect others, respect others and also they respect the environment.   National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) together administer the American Citizenship Award.   This award is an attractive lapel pin that is presented to any student in elementary, middle, high school, special events or recognition banquets. This will help inspire enthusiastic school spirit, strengthen self-esteem, building responsible and knowledgeable citizens and also volunteerism.   There is not certain rule or regulation that who should get American Citizenship Award

- Services in school or community - Positive attitude toward classmates, school and community - Understanding civic responsibility - Strengthening the character to do what is right.   ''It's a great honor for any player to receive,'' Gasol said. ''It should be an honor for any player to have the opportunity to give back and to make the community better, be a role model to all the other kids and people. I think it's very important when you have that opportunity, you take advantage of it. You maximize it.'' Over past seven years Gasol has travelled with UNICEF to raise awareness on health care for children, program related to nutrition and also education.   Gasol's father was medical administrator and his mother was physician. Pau was born in Barcelona; he took pre-med program as a teenager, but gave up his studies when his basketball career took off.   Gasol said. ''To me, that's above and beyond basketball. Obviously, basketball has allowed me to have these opportunities, and that's why I feel so fortunate, but to me it's much stronger, much more powerful than the basketball game.''   Pau has released an iBook about benefiting UNICEF in three different languages. He also is planning for another project with UNICEF once he finishes London Olympics.   Last year it was another Los Angeles Lakers player Ron Artest to win J. Walter Kennedy. He got this award for his work in mental health awareness, now he is known as Metta World Peace.

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How to Legally Move to Canada

Among the developed nations, Canada attracts maximum visitors across the atlas. Canada has one of the largest spread of land area and abundant natural resources. Canada is technologically advanced and has a huge service industry blooming with great employment prospects.

Canada is one of the most favored places for immigration as it offers equal opportunity for all, best remuneration, good quality of life, best healthcare facilities, multicultural society and ample employment opportunities.

There are basically two types of visa issued by Citizenship and Immigration department of Canada:

Temporary visa covers visas for visiting, student, work, care taker and spouse. Permanent visa covers visas for investor and business immigrants, skilled professionals and family class.

Both these categories have their own qualification criteria and selection procedures. Some of the basic requirements are clean police record, experience, education, age and language. There are additional specific requirement also which depends on the category applied for and the program.

Temporary Visa

Visitor's visa is for a duration of six months; it can be extended subject to approval by Citizenship and Immigration department of Canada. Every year 30 million people visit Canada in the form of tourist, students, temporary workers to avail all the opportunities offered by the country. Every year 95000 students from all over the world come to Canada to study. The best part of the student visa is that you are allowed to work in campus. Temporary work permit is issued only when you have a job in hand, the employer has to take approval from Human Resources and Skill development, Canada.

Permanent Visa

Under business immigration program Citizenship and Immigration department of Canada is inviting entrepreneurs, self-employed and investors across the globe to invest and live in Canada. Under the qualification criteria business immigrants should invest CAD $800000 and should meet some experience and possess certain net worth.

Family visa program aims at uniting the entire family together. Under this program a permanent resident can sponsor his family to live and settle in the country. There are certain clauses under which only family member and not all relatives can be invited.

Federal skilled worker program, Canada is attracting skilled labor across the world in various fields by giving good remuneration, food quality life, free education etc. Citizenship and Immigration department of Canada has published a list of 29 occupations for which they are inviting applications from professionals across the globe. Family visa is for a period of five years under which the immigrant has an option to apply for citizenship and can settle with family after 3 years.

There are other visa programs for Canada immigration like conventional refugees, live-in care giver and spouse visa.

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How to Choose the Best Barrister?

Whether you are running your own business or are working somewhere, you can get involved in legal proceedings. In such situations you need an expert's opinion that is capable of handling all such situations. And one such person that can assist you efficiently is a barrister with all their knowledge and experience.

Barristers are experts in their area of work, which is the common law jurisdiction. They have relevant degree and years of rich experience. They are legal professionals and are experts while debating in courtrooms for their clients. Their main motive is to defend their clients and provide them justice. In order to defend yourself, you need to hire an efficient barrister and this is the main area of concern.

Choose an Efficient Barrister for better results:

- Having excellent verbal skills. This is because while dealing the case in courtroom, his verbal skills are the only focal points to raise the correct point at the right time

- Along with this he must be a good listener, because only then he can pay attention to all the details effectively

- An efficient barrister must have good analytical skills. This way, he can interpret the typical situations and break the crux of the situation

- He must stay calm and defendant while debating with an opponent in the courtroom

Not all barristers are experts in all the lawsuits. They all specialize in different categories of law. Due to this, nowadays many practitioner barristers join hands together to form their own entity and are known as barristers chambers.

Barristers Chambers can comprise of barristers having expertise in different fields and are enough qualified to present themselves before the court. Their services are not only limited to individuals but also extend to various businesses. Almost all organizations require one or more lawyers to deal with various legal proceedings in day to day working. So these chambers provide all such services at one place.

The increasing demand in today's era is for criminal lawyers. Crimes such as fraud, murder, sexual allegation, drug offense and so forth are increasing day by day. Every day we are witnessing such type of news in the media. This has increased the demand of lawyers who are specialized in criminal laws and are have enough experience and training in the relevant field.

Thus, barristers not only abate all of your worries but also bulwark you in all legal proceedings!

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Business and Investment Options in Latvia for Immigrants

Latvia is definitely developing into a prospective attractive Business and Investment destination. There has been a credible FDI track record to boast of along-with pro-business policy. There is an ever growing list of Options and venues for Immigrants aspiring to shift their establishment and money to this east European country.

Over last decade this Baltic state has witnessed an increasingly fast economic development and progress in various sectors. Authorities have appreciated vital and crucial role played by foreign funds and expertise in advancement of domestic economy.

There are multiple venues at disposal for people willing to invest money and entrepreneurial skills in country. Opportunities include a range of openings in traditional as well as contemporary industrial set-ups.

Most prominent of options this country presents is Information technology. Today this industry presents itself as a predominant sector of economic emancipation of Latvia. This sector is a major contributor to national GDP to extent of 2%. This former USSR state today ranks among top 15 leading IT centers around the globe and offers a well trained and educated work force with multi lingual capabilities. There is thrust to establish micro organizations which employ less than 10 employees. This presents a valid opportunity for migrants with fair amount of financial credentials.

Authorities are also emphasizing on development of this sector through positive and promotional policies such as implementing IT working procedures in governmental and other public establishments.

Renewable and recyclable energy generation sector is another major venue with abundance of possibilities and potential. Today this Baltic state is rated among the best nations in EU with an increasing potential for green and renewable energy generation's capacity a well established infrastructure surely makes this sector a profitable area for business.

Latvian health care is a shrinking sector and in national expenditure ranks among lowest in EU. In turn, this provides an ample Potential for private players an attractive Option for Migrants. As far as trained workforce is concerned there is a presence of well educated medical professionals who could facilitate development of medical tourism in this region.

Traditional industries like chemical, machinery, electronics and metal working have been primary industrial players contributing actively in enhancing productivity of economy. Locational advantages, past innovations and availability of cheap raw material have been properly manifested into modern avatar of industry with a major shift in priorities. These venues have been growing up constantly into major attractions for Foreign Investors and Businessmen. Aided by lowest wages and dedicated and trained labor Latvia's major industrial sectors like these are appropriate venues that can bring in rich returns.

Transport and logistics present diverse Opportunities for Business and Investment. Latvia offers a well developed rail, road, air and sea based logistics infrastructure, which is amplified by geographical location on the east west and north south corridor of Europe.

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B1 Visa Vis-a-Vis H-1B Visa to US

What is B1 Visa?

B1 visa, otherwise known as a business visitor visa is the ticket for business associates or persons traveling for scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference, settle an estate, negotiate a contract or any other business related activities on the condition that no work or employment must be undertaken during the visit and no salary or income must be received from a US-based company except for allowances.

This visa gives the holder the right of stay for six months, extendible for another six months.

If the purpose of the trip is to seek a temporary work in US with salary paid by a US-based company, a different type of working visa is required. This working visa can only be applied for as long as there is a non-immigrant petition filed by the prospective US employer accompanied by an approved labor certification. One type of a working visa is the H-1B visa.

What is H-1B Visa?

This visa is needed by foreign workers in specialty occupations such as scientists, engineers, computer programmers or other workers whose expertise is so complex and specialized in their field.

This visa is initially valid for three years but can later be extended for another three years making the worker stay in US for up to six years. If the worker is still in the US after six years and holding an H-1B visa, application for permanent residence awaits the worker.

B1 Visa in Lieu of H-1B Visa

In certain cases, the United States Consular Officer issues a B1 visa in lieu of an H-1B visa even if the purpose of the visit in the US is to be engaged in a specialized occupation and therefore requires an H-1B visa. H-1B visa is used by the US company who wants an employee of an overseas affiliate, subsidiary, parent or sister company to be in US or a foreign company sends an employee to US to perform a specific project. To get a B1 in lieu of an H-1B visa, the requirements to be met are:

1. The employee must have the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree.

2. The work must be a specialty occupation.

3. The task is for a short duration only.

4. The employee will not receive any salary or compensation from a US source.

5. The employee must be a permanent employee of the foreign employer and will be paid only by the foreign employer.

However, application for B1 visa in lieu of H-1B requires a lot more requirements and stricter scrutiny compared with the normal B1 visa application.

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EB-2 Retrogression - Don't Send Our Best and Brightest Indian and Chinese Professionals Home

Top Chinese and Indian scientists, engineers, doctors and mathematicians are going to find the U.S. welcome mat pulled further away from their feet. Recent Department of State projections indicate the line for persons born in China or India with Master's degrees and Ph.D.'s will be at least 5-7 years to get a green card.

Improvements in recent months offered hope to well-educated Indian and Chinese nationals who previously had to wait 5 years or longer to obtain their green cards. Now, it appears the Department of State will be retrogressing green card priority dates. Charles Oppenheim, Chief of Visa Control and Reporting Division for the Department of State, stated at a recent American Immigration Lawyers Association conference that priority dates for the Indian and Chinese EB-2 category will retrogress from May 2010 to approximately August 2007. Thus, although current green card processing times for Chinese and Indian nationals with advanced degrees is only about 2 years, expect the backlog to balloon to an unbearable 5-plus year wait.

Indian and Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs and scientists played a vital role in building Silicon Valley and high-tech into what it is today. Now, just as the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery, we are discouraging the best and brightest from India and China by putting green cards further out of reach. As China's competitiveness surges ahead, conservatively projecting a 2012 Gross Domestic Product of 7.5%, the U.S. cannot afford to lose those who possess the intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit to continue to spur the nation's economic growth.

Many of these Chinese and Indian foreign nationals are U.S. educated, attending top national institutions. Enrollment of international students at U.S. institutions is at an all-time high, including 43% growth by Chinese nationals enrolling at the University level from 2010 to 2011. Does it make sense to educate international students at our top universities and medical centers and then, when at the point they are ready to contribute to our economy, say it's time to go home?

As the visa wait line retrogresses, massive pressure will be put on certain industries, including high-tech and other critical sectors requiring top professionals and scientists from India and China. One possible solution is if Senator Grassley lifts his objection to H.R. 3012, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. This bill levels the playing field and provides green cards on a first come first served basis and has been held up in the Senate by a single restrictionist Senator.

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How To Evaluate An Immigration Attorney

Are you looking to hire one or more immigration lawyers but are not sure where to begin? There are many legal professionals now practicing in this area of law, and it can be difficult to determine which firm offers the best services for your needs. Understanding a little bit more about how to initially approach a legal professional for advice and then how to evaluate the advice they give you can help you feel more comfortable as you pursue and create this legal partnership.

The first thing to consider when evaluating various legal firms and immigration attorneys is the range services each firm or professional offers. There are many facets to the United States legal system. Some immigration lawyers may just specialize in particular areas while others offer a wide range of services. Depending on your needs and situation it may be wise to seek the advice of a highly specialized professional. Generally, however, it makes more sense to choose a professional who provides many kinds of services. It can sometimes be difficult to tell where your journey to the United States may take you. For example, you may initially only believe that you might apply for individual permanent residency in the US, based on your desire to work and live in this country. However, years after you have successfully immigrated, you may wish to bring your aging, and now dependent, parents to this country as well. By choosing a professional who practices in all areas of immigrant law you can work with an immigration lawyer you are already familiar with and trust in both cases.

Trust, after all, is one of the key things you must think about when considering, evaluating and eventually choosing an attorney. Immigration is a tricky process. Every detail from your past history in your country of origin matters greatly in your petition process. Sometimes individuals with a criminal history in their home country can be tempted not to include such information in their residency or visa applications because they fear doing so will hurt their chances of immigrating. However, if you choose a legal professional you can trust and are forthcoming with all of your information that legal representative can help you file your petition in the correct and complete way without hurting your chances of acceptance.

It is also important to choose a legal professional who has a high code of ethics and is dedicated to honoring all the laws and policies of the United States of America. Before being allowed to legally practice law in any state in this country, an immigration attorney must first pass the rigorous state bar examination and then publicly swear to uphold the state's professional code of conduct and ethics for legal professionals. High caliber and quality individuals will honor this code of ethics throughout their career, and doing so enables them to consistently provide the best services to their clients.

Finally, it is also important to consider your financial capital and budget when working with a lawyer. Immigration petitions can be costly and time-consuming. However, they are almost always more so when filed without the benefit of legal advice. Attempting to remain in the country illegally can also result in great financial costs and bar you from the possibility of legal status someday. Most practicing professionals offer an initial free consultation to potential clients. During this consultation your specific needs and the costs of such services will be discussed. You can also learn more about the methods of payment a firm accepts. Some organizations provide affordable payment plans to deserving clients.

Initially seeking legal advice can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are many immigration lawyers to choose from, but by understanding key characteristics to consider you can find the professional that is right for you.

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Working With A Green Card Attorney To Avoid Major Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to gain permanent residency in the United States is trying to do it all yourself. A good greed card attorney can make your immigration process much smoother than it would be otherwise. Although perhaps not intentionally, the government has made issues of immigration almost impossibly complicated. This is doubly true considering that many of the people attempting to go through the bureaucracy speak limited English. Having a lawyer by your side can make all the difference. They can also help you avoid these major mistakes.

Missing Deadlines Deadlines are a serious matter when it comes to immigration law. Missing your window of opportunity to file a document may be more than just a temporary setback. It has the potential of ruining your chances of getting that permanent residency status that you want. Some of these deadlines are tricky. Not only can you not file them late, you can't file them early, either. This is why so many immigrants ruin their chances by forgetting about them. If you have a green card attorney working on your behalf, you won't have to worry about this becoming a problem.

The Marriage Interview One popular reason to obtain permanent residence is because you have married a citizen. Of course, some immigrants don't use this as a reason so much as they do a loophole. While getting married for residence purposes may seem extreme, it is nonetheless done on occasion. Make no mistake about it, the government is aware of this fact and they will interrogate both you and your spouse for inconsistencies. If they suspect a fraud, they will deny your application for residency and you will probably not get another chance in the future. Have your green card attorney explain what you can expect in the interview so you can prepare.

False Claims If the government finds that you have made any false claims about your citizenship, it will be the end of your immigration hopes. There is really no turning back from this mistake. The government takes such claims very seriously, even if they were made in innocent error. This is why you need to be very careful when filling out paperwork that asks about your immigration status. Don't exaggerate, for instance, in the hopes of getting a job. Run any paperwork you're unsure about past your green card attorney and follow his advice regarding your answers.

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Life-Saving Medical Treatment for Ailing Undocumented Aliens Is Available

Several weeks ago, the media highlighted the plight of a man who was diagnosed with cancer and needed chemotherapy. However, due to the fact that he did not have a valid social security number or legal residency in the United States, he was denied this life-saving treatment.

The predicament of this gentleman is not unique. There are many people in the United States who are currently denied medical procedures and treatments that are required to save their lives. The simple reason is because they cannot show legal presence in the United States. Many of these incidents are unreported as such patients often feel there is nothing they can do about it, or else do not know to whom they can turn for assistance.

Whilst the American Medical Association Medical Code of ethics encourages medical practitioners to volunteer a portion of their time to people who cannot be otherwise treated in the hospital setting, there is the limitation faced by these doctors of not having access to the costs of the drugs and the equipment that may be needed for treatment of such things as cancers and the need for dialysis.

In terms of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, hospitals cannot refuse to treat undocumented persons, who go to the Emergency Department. But what happens after an undocumented person has been diagnosed with a condition for which, without starting immediate medical intervention such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment, death within months is guaranteed.

In the North Carolina case of Medina v Division of Social Services, treatment of cancer for undocumented persons falls into the definition of a medical emergency. A medical emergency has been said to include ''any condition that is of such severity that in the absence of immediate medical attention, the patient's health would be placed in serious jeopardy.'' The standard has also been to include symptoms that must be so severe that the absence of medical attention could result in serious injury to an organ of the body and subsequent cause of that body part not to function properly.

The definitions shown above, however, inspires a more imminent harm of serious injury or death within hours. However, it does not take a medical expert to conclude that if a person who has a condition such as cancer, or kidney failure or a similar body system failure condition, does not receive medical intervention after their diagnosis, they are likely to face a medical emergency for which they would be required by law to treat in the emergency room of a hospital. As such, denial of undocumented persons of lifesaving medical treatment post diagnosis is counterproductive and extremely unhumanitarian.

The U.S government does provide for humanitarian parole for people who are otherwise inadmissible to come into the United States for the length of that compelling medical emergency. However, this visa is used very sparingly by the U.S government. It also does not do much to assist the thousands who are in the US without documentation, who need medical or surgical treatment.

In light of the above, it is important for undocumented persons to start thinking about what will happen if they require medical treatment beyond that they are offered by their family doctor or the clinic. In such circumstances, it is important to consult a competent attorney who is familiar with how the immigration system works. Many people are unaware that they can qualify for residency through a family member and have not started the process. Many others have approved petitions, but are waiting in limbo for changes in the law which would allow them to obtain their residency without leaving the United States and due to long waits, have become disheartened or complacent and have not followed up on the process.

Whatever category of undocumented persons you may be in, if a person has a medical condition that requires treatment further than that your primary healthcare provider (family doctor or the clinic) can provide, we recommend you contact an immigration attorney who can review your case and assist you in getting you some kind of legal status in the United States, whether permanent or temporary, and, consequently, the life saving medical and surgical treatment you need.

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