Full Description

A step-by-step guide to visiting and immigrating to the United States

Visiting and immigrating to the United States can be a complicated and confusing process. There are many rules and new procedures, and finding information you can trust that gets you the visa you need can seem overwhelming.

Written by an immigration attorney, U.S. Immigration Step by Step walks you through the entire process, showing you each step of the way what needs to be done. Even though there are multiple options available, this guide helps you cut through the many choices and find the way most suited for your needs. Learn what you need if you are simply coming for a holiday, trying to go to school, looking for work or attempting to stay in the U.S. indefinitely. There is no one way that is right for everyone, but there is sure to be a way that is right for you.

U.S. Immigration Step by Step uses language and terms that everyone can understand, making it easy for you to:

--Shift through all the different visa options
--Reduce the amount of time it takes
--Fill out all the necessary paperwork
--Ease the background-check burden
--Pass the USCIS interview
--Take the next step to becoming a resident

U.S. Immigration Step by Step gives you everything you need to do it all easily, quickly and legally!

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -
Introduction -

Section 1: Basic Immigration Concepts

Chapter 1: Your Immigration Status -

Chapter 2: Understanding Immigration Terms and Where to File -
Important Terms to Know
Filing a Case: Local USCIS Office, Service Center, or Embassy

Chapter 3: Changing Immigration Laws -
Section 245(i) and the LIFE Act
Homeland Security Act
Real ID Act
Proposed Amnesty

Section 2: Categories Eligible for Permanent Residence

Chapter 4: Family-Based Petitions -
Minor Children and Parents of U.S. Citizens—Immediate Relatives
Spouses of U.S. Citizens—Immediate Relatives
Adopted Children—Immediate Relatives
Preference Categories
Death or Illness of Petitioner
Self-Petitions

Chapter 5: Nonimmigrant Visas and Maintaining Valid Status -
Section 245(i)
Immediate Family
Child Status Protection Act
Travel Outside the U.S.
Types of Nonimmigrant Visas
K-1 Visa
K-3 Visa

Chapter 6: Employment-Based Petitions -
First Preference: Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher,-Multinational Executive
Second Preference: Exceptional Ability, Advance Degree Professionals
Third Preference: Skilled Workers
Fourth Preference: Unskilled Workers
Shortage Occupations
The Labor Certification Process
Religious Workers

Chapter 7: Investors -
Qualifications

Chapter 8: Green Card Diversity Lottery -
Qualifications

Chapter 9: Asylum -
Refugees
Refugee Status versus Asylum
Qualifications
Benefits of Applying for Asylum
Applying for Family Members
Applying for Permanent Residence
Refugee Filing

Chapter 10: Amnesties -
Recent Amnesty
Late Amnesty Class Members

Chapter 11: Cancellation of Removal: 10 years in the U.S. -
Qualifications
Family Members

Chapter 12: Miscellaneous Categories-
U.S. Citizen Grandparent: Transmitted Citizenship
Private Bills
Cubans
S “Snitch” Visa
T and U Visas
Registry
Minors Dependent on a Juvenile Court
Military Translators

Section 3: The Permanent Residence Application Process

Chapter 13: Required Forms and Instructions -
Immediate Relative Petitions
Spouses
Immediate Relatives—One-Stop Filing
Family-Based Preference Categories
Widows and Widowers
Abused Spouses
Family-Based Nonimmigrant Visas
Labor Certification Filing
Diversity Visa Lottery
Asylum
Religious Workers
Investors
Cancellation of Removal

Chapter 14: Supporting Documents -
Passport-Style Photos
Fingerprints
Translations
Unavailable Documents
Medical Examination
Affidavit of Support
Public Charge and Use of Public Benefits

Chapter 15: Eligibility to Adjust and Inadmissibility Grounds -
Criminal Convictions
Health Conditions
Public Charge
Outstanding Order of Deportation or Removal
Unlawful Presence
Other Immigration Violations

Chapter 16: Work and Travel while Adjustment is Pending -
Work Permit
Obtaining a Social Security Number
Travel Permission—Advance Parole

Chapter 17: The USCIS Interview -
Expediting the Interview
Interview Documents
USCIS Officers
The Interview
Aftermath
Denial
Green Card Missing

Chapter 18: Service Centers -

Chapter 19: Immigration Court -
Immigration Judges
Handling a Court Case
Master Calendar Hearing
Individual Hearing
Family-Based Cases
Appeals and Beyond
Removal Orders

Chapter 20: Losing Your Green Card -
Misplaced
Outside U.S. for more than Six Months
Criminal Record
Preventing Deportation

Chapter 21: Naturalization -
Application
The Interview

Chapter 22: Finding an Attorney -
Getting a Referral
Making the Decision
Being a Good Client

Glossary -
Appendix A: USCIS Field Offices -
Appendix B: USCIS Service Centers-
Appendix C: Websites and Contact Information -
Appendix D: Fee Chart -
Appendix E: Blank Forms -
Index

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: