Immigration

Immigration law deals with obtaining citizenship and moving people temporarily or permanently from one country to another. Immigration encompasses a broad spectrum of legal challenges, professional contexts, and geographical locales.

Many attorneys who practice immigration law provide their clients with direct assistance as they follow the proper procedures to gain the legal right to work and/or remain in the United States. The Georgia immigration attorney at The Law Offices of C. Payne has successfully handled numerous immigration cases and helps clients achieve the legal status they desire. We are passionate about ensuring that everyone in need, despite their background or socioeconomic status, has access to legal representation.

What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?

Immigration attorneys represent individual clients before the USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, immigration courts, and federal circuit courts. Immigration lawyers handle cases involving immigration, emigration, visas, green cards, adjustment of status, political asylum, and other significant immigration and naturalization issues. The U.S. immigration system is highly complex and therefore those involved should hire a lawyer who routinely practices U.S. immigration law.

How Can an Immigration Attorney Help?

Beyond assisting persons in acquiring new citizenship, immigration lawyers perform a wide range of other services. Immigration lawyers can prevent someone from being deported (removal), offer legal guidance regarding a person’s capacity to secure a work visa, and more.

An immigration lawyer also assists clients with the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens. To become a citizen by naturalization, you must fulfill a number of appointment requirements, pass an English proficiency test, and demonstrate your knowledge of civics. An immigration lawyer can help individuals prepare for this process and can represent them throughout.

Immigration Laws

Family reunion, admitting immigrants with talents that are advantageous to the American economy, protecting refugees, and fostering diversity are the foundations of U.S. immigration law.

Immigration laws specify who may enter the country, how long they may stay, as well as the legal rights and obligations that noncitizens have while they are in America. All applications and authorizations for immigrants who are inside American borders are handled by the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

All immigrant and non-immigrant statuses available to foreign visitors to the United States are processed by USCIS, including family-based petitions, asylum and refugee status, and citizenship.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is the body of legislation governing American immigration. According to the INA, the United States may issue up to 675,000 different visas under categories for permanent immigrants each year. In addition, there is no annual cap on the number of U.S. citizens’ spouses, parents, and minor children who can enter the country.

Immigration Process

An individual becomes a lawful permanent resident (LPR) once they arrive in the country on a valid immigrant visa. There are various ways to achieve this status. The most commonly used processes are family-based immigration and citizenship through naturalization.

U.S. citizens and LPRs are permitted to bring some members of their families to the country under the family-based immigration system. These immigrants are either admitted as close relatives of American citizens or under the family preference program. There is an unlimited number of family-based visas available, as long as individuals meet the requirements.

Preparing for an Immigration Consultation

When preparing to meet with an immigration lawyer, you should have a list of questions ready for your initial immigration consultation. The two most crucial inquiries to make are how much experience the immigration lawyer has and how many clients they have assisted in obtaining legal immigration status. Given the complexity of immigration law, hiring a knowledgeable attorney is essential.

Any emergencies that are ongoing in your case should be disclosed to a potential attorney during the initial consultation. Furthermore, it is crucial to bring all required paperwork with you including any rulings, notices, or receipts pertaining to immigration. Additionally, you must include copies of any paperwork that has been submitted to ICE or USCIS. Bring copies of all of your passports, green cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and job authorization cards as well. You should plan to take thorough notes during your initial consultation to remember important details about your case.

Types of Immigration Cases We Handle

Chanel Payne and her team of immigration law professionals can consult with those in need of legal counsel on virtually any type of immigration matter. The types of immigration cases we most commonly handle include:

• Family Immigration
• Deportation Defense / Cancellation of Removal
• K-1 or Fiancé Visa
• R-1 Religious Worker Visa
• F-1 Student Visa

Since we are very often dealing with international clients whose first language is not English, we are proud to offer services in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Contact the Georgia Immigration Attorney at The Law Offices of C. Payne

Some people can take up to seven years to become citizens of the United States, so having an experienced immigration attorney on your side is crucial. A Georgia immigration lawyer can help you submit the appropriate documentation to prove your case in court. Additionally, The Law Office of C. Payne will work hard to ensure the process is managed as effectively as possible.