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Every year some 900,000 people become U.S. citizens at naturalization ceremonies across the country.

By taking the Oath of Allegiance new citizens pledge to be faithful to the Constitution and to serve their new country when needed. In exchange they will enjoy many of the benefits and privileges of being a United States citizen.

The Right to Vote
A Chance to Reunite Families
A Way to Protect your Children’s Right to Remain in the U.S.

Protection in Cases Involving Illegal Activity
International Travel Made Easier
Being a citizen of the United States provides many privileges. Voting in elections is one such privilege. New citizens are expected to participate in elections and to adhere to the principles of tolerance and understanding towards differing points of view, which is the philosophical basis of the system of government of the United States.

New laws could be passed that adversely affect your rights as a permanent resident. As a citizen if you are charged of a crime, even a non-serious one, you possess many protected rights. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Immigration Courts have the jurisdiction to remove (or deport) permanent residents who are charged with such crimes. A U.S. citizen’s right to remain in the United States cannot be taken away.

The federal government is one of the biggest employers in the world and offers many job opportunities in a wide range of industries. Job openings are published on USA Jobs.gov. However, the majority of federal jobs require that the applicant be a U.S. citizen.

Finally, the pride of being an American is one that goes a long way. What are you waiting for, go and apply!!

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If you are considering a fake, or sham, marriage as a means of getting U.S. lawful permanent residence (a green card), you must know that what you are planning is illegal.

A sham marriage is one that is entered into in order to get around the U.S. immigration laws.

The U.S. government will not normally follow a couple around or investigate their life beyond the required paperwork and the interviews it always conducts. But it has the power to do so if it sees grounds for suspicion.

Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both (I.N.A. § 275(c); 8 U.S.C. § 1325(c)).

Learn more in this Video:

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In this Video we discuss the often asked question: How much money do I need in order to obtain an E2 Visa?
There is no set standard in the law about the minimum amount of money that must be invested in order to qualify for an E-2 visa. It is a reality that the closer the investment approaches $100,000 or so, the more chances to get the E-2 case approved, but that really depends on whether a new business is being started or an existing business purchased. If it is a purchased business, they will look at past numbers to determine the amount needed. That does not mean, however, that investments of less than $150,000 cannot qualify someone for an E-2 visa. We have seen cases where applicants obtained visas with 50,000 or so. It really depends on the Business,location, and Business Plan outline.

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Any person who has ever been ordered removed (or has resided in the U.S. unlawfully for more than 1 year in the aggregate), leaves the United States, and then returns or attempts to return without being lawfully admitted, must remain outside the U.S. for 10 years before being able to re-apply for an immigration benefit or re-entry. This law was not in effect until April 1, 1997.

Such applicants are not eligible for the New I-601A waiver. This is because the waiver is designed to cure one entry and illegal stay in the US, not a re entry. There is no waiver for re entry.

In DACA cases, we need to analyze the period of time the applicant departed from the US to see if there any exceptions. Always consult a qualified lawyer to determine your eligibility.

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Our office has extensive experience assisting the clients in filing H-1B petitions. We also help the clients consider their options if the case is denied. Below is an example of the H-1B case that got approved even after the denial was issued.

https://www.visalawyerblog.com/2011/03/h1b_visa_denials_filing_a_moti.html
Filing a motion to reopen is only one of the options. There are other options that may be available to you considering the circumstances of your case. If you have any questions regarding filing a motion to reopen or require additional information, do not hesitate to contact our office. Watch this Video for more information.

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Jacob Sapochnick appeared on the popular Radio Show Midday Edition with host Maureen Cavanaugh discussing the new I-601A waiver policy.

A change in immigration policy that may seem minor to most Americans, is likely to have a major impact of tens of thousands of families across the nation.

The new rule, that takes effect this March, will make it easier for undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens to wait for green cards here in the U.S., rather than back in their home country.

Jacob Sapochnick, a San Diego immigration attorney, says in order to obtain a waiver, the applicant must demonstrate their absence would cause “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative such as a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen.

The policy is designed to help keep families together, while the often long process of documentation is completed.

Click here to listen to the show on the left of the page there is a player

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Our segment starts at 0:51. Attorney Jacob Sapochick appearing on KUSI Evening News December 28, 2012 discussing the US Adoption ban by Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a measure that bans the adoption the Russian children by U.S. families effective January 1.

The Russian measure also bars any political activities by nongovernmental organizations receiving funding from the United States, if such activities could affect Russian interests, Russia’s semiofficial RIA-Novosti news agency said.

And it imposes sanctions against U.S. officials thought to have violated human rights.

The law envisions the drafting of a list of U.S. citizens who will be prohibited from entering Russia, and will suspend the activity of any legal entities controlled by them in the country.

The law is named after a Russian orphan adopted by a family from Purcellville, Virginia who died of heat stroke after being in a parked car for nine hours. The law is described as a response to the Magnitsky bill in the United States, which places sanctions on Russian officials who were involved in a tax scandal exposed by Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

More on our website https://www.h1b.biz

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In this segment of AskMyLawyer we address issues relating to Green Card holders trying to immigrate their spouse. t is possible to immigrate a foreign spouse even if you are a permanent resident of the U.S. However, there will be a 3 year hold placed on the case currently, plus processing time of several months. The Wife in this case will need to maintain her student status while the application, i-130 is pending.

lawful permanent resident or a Green Card holder is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of permanently living and working in the United States of America.

If you are a lawful permanent resident in the United States, you can apply a green card for your relative (spouse and unmarried children) to become a lawful permanent resident.

There are two subcategories in this immigration preference known as “second preference”. Preference 2A is for spouses or unmarried children under age 21 of permanent residents, and preference 2B is set aside for unmarried children of 21 years of age or older.

Watch our video for more answers:

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Unlawful presence is the period of time an individual is in the United States without being admitted or paroled, OR after the expiration of a period of stay granted by DHS. Unlawful presence is relevant for the purpose of determining whether the inadmissibility bars (3 year or 10 year bars) apply to an individual who departs the United States and afterwards tries to reenter.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows certain individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the United States and continue their education or work legally for a two-year period (and possibly longer depending on politics and renewals). DACA is not a “legal status.” However, it does stop the accrual of “unlawful presence.” This is especially important for those who have not yet turned 18. If you are under 18 and want to apply for DACA, then you should consider doing so as soon as possible to realize the full potential of the program and potentially be able to depart and return to the United States with permanent resident status or at least temporary work visa status in the future.

Watch our video for more information:

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The E-2 Investor Visa allows an individual to enter and work inside of the United States based on an investment he or she will be controlling, while inside the United States. This visa must be renewed every two years, but there is no limit to how many times one can renew. The investment must be “substantial”. Investor visas are available only to treaty countries, which include countries like Albania and Senegal, but do not include Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The dollar amount of the investment normally should exceed $200,000 depending on the type of business (new or existing), although cases have been made for smaller amounts. This is an approximated amount and applicants should consult an immigration lawyer prior to making any offers for existing business. The dollar amount should only be money spent on the business. Any expenses not directly spent on the actual business itself will not count toward the required amount.

For new startups, the investment must be large enough to start and operate the business. The amount of investment varies on the type of business. The $200,000 dollar amount would not be a substantial investment for a business such as the construction and management of a shopping center or office complex. The investment will not be considered substantial if it is not large enough to capitalize the venture. The USCIS will use an ‘Inverted Sliding Scale’ to determine whether the investment is substantial in proportion to the overall cost of the enterprise.

Upon conclusion of the business, investors must return to their countries of origin, or change their status. The holder of an E-2 visa may leave the United States at any time.

Watch our Video for more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4s-0MyTuPU