Immigration Issues: Most Popular Articles

Case Status
Check your immigration case status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS and BCIS)

Green Card Marriage
Green card marriage: A Q&A on gaining permanent residence in the United States through marriage.

Green Card Through Marriage
Green Card Through Marriage - full transcript of a Q&A session about marriage and the Green Card, with Carl Shusterman, Esq.

Denied, Banned or Deported
Here are eight immigration mistakes that virtually guarantee you'll be denied your visa, banned or detained and deported from the U.S.

Coming to America
Do you want to live in the United States? Learn about the visa options you have and what is needed to come and live in the U.S.

Key Immigration Issues
immigration issues and political debates, from the guest worker program to education and public assistance for undocumented immigrants.

Requiring English in the U.S.
Should English be the official U.S. language? What about Spanish? Arguments for and against, plus where George W. Bush and his former presidential opponent, Governer John Kerry, stand.

Immigration and Party Lines
Where do Republicans stand on immigration? How do Democrats view immigrants? The philosophies and goals of each group is vastly different. Can they ever see eye to eye?

Illegal Immigrant Education
Should the U.S. government allow illegal immigrant children in public schools? Should they allow them in college? Should they give them tuition breaks? Here are background information and pro/con arguments from both sides.

Should You Migrate to Canada?
What makes Canada a great relocation alternative for disillusioned Americans?

Renew Your Green Card
How to replace a permanent resident card (green card)

U.S. Border Control Issues
When U.S. borders are vulnerable, the entire country is vulnerable. What should be done about the borders, and what is at stake?

Immigration Issues - Issues
An index of Issues for the Immigration Issues guide site.

Guest Workers / Farm Workers
Should illegal aliens and foreigners be allowed to work in the U.S., legally, for up to six years?

Immigrant Welfare, Healthcare
Immigrants often take advantage of public services, such as healthcare and welfare, costing the United States billions each year. Is this fair to American citizen taxpayers who foot the bill? Would it be humane to deny assistance to human beings in need?

When will your green card arrive?
When will my green card arrive? Many aspiring immigrants are confused and concerned when they learn that

Marriage Fraud
Immigration fraud is widespread, and a very serious crime.

Emigrating to Canada
For those of you who wish to emigrate to Canada, we put together this guide that explains the different immigration categories, requirements, how to prepare the immigration process without a lawyer, including links to the official immigration Web site of the Canadian government.

DV-2008 Winner Tips
DV-2008 Winners who entered the green card lottery in 2006 with hopes of winning a diversity visa, have been chosen and notified.

Deportation Proceedings: Telling it to the Judge
Deportation Proceedings: Telling it to the Judge Transcript Jennifer Wipf: Welcome to our deportation

Bill Clinton: Biography & Role in Immigration Issues
William Jefferson Clinton: Biography

U.S. Border Crossing/Ports
U.S. Border, control, patrol, facts and statistics on US Borders with Mexico and Canada

Amnesty
Should illegal immigrants in the United States receive amnesty? Here are arguments from both sides of the issue.

Visitor Visa
This how-to guide explains the necessary steps for getting a visitor visa for the United States. The visitor visa category is divided into travel for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2) and travel for business (B-1). Visitors from certain countries don't need a visa, as part of the Visa Waiver Program.

Green Card Lottery-DV-2009
Everything you need to know about entering the DV-2009 green card lottery in 2007.

Definition of a Green Card
Definition and explanation of a green card, also known as permanent resident card.

When an H-1B Worker is Terminated: What Happens?
When an H-1B Holder Loses a Job    Join the Discussion 'How quickly can I transfer my H-1B from one employer

A Personal Immigration Experience: Marriage and Travel: Don't Learn the Hard Way
A Personal Immigration Experience: Student Visa - Marriage - Travel Don't Learn the Hard Way A personal

Canadian Immigration Guide
A step-by-step guide to emigrating from the US to Canada

Tips for U.S. Visas: Affidavit of Support, I-864
FAQ by the U.S. Department of Justice about the affidavit of support (I-864)

Child Status Protection Act - Q&A
Child Status Protection Act - Q&A   Join the Discussion 'LIFE, CSS and EAD' HASHAS1     Related Resources

Driver's Licenses: Immigrants
In most parts of the U.S., driving a car is necessary to get to work, school or the doctor. Should legal immigrants and temporary residents have quick access to a driver's license? Should illegals be granted driver's licenses?

Carlos Santana
Spotlight on Carlos Santana: The Famous and Notable Immigrants Series

From INS to USCIS
The Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS, changed its name to BCIS, then to USCIS. Which is it now? INS, BCIS or USCIS? We explain the reasons behind the name changes.

The Latest BCIS Memo About the 180-Day Portability Rule
USCIS Memo on the 180-Day Portability Rule   Join the Discussion 'Notice and Procedures' TONYJOVE    

Citizens of India will be allowed dual citizenship with USA
India to Allow Dual Citizenship Indians who seek a better life in the USA will no longer have to forfeit

Immigration Europe: Crisis or Denial?
Immigration Europe : Crisis or Denial? Greetings from the land of blonde braids, cheese and yodeling.

Leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman recently hosted a chat on our site
Leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman recently hosted a chat on our site. Here is the transcript

Immigrant Impact: Healthcare \$
Opponents of mass immigration say that immigrants play an ominous role in our rising health care costs. Advocates argue that health care costs, influenced by other factors, are harming new immigrants, as well as others in the United States.

Marriage, Fiance Visas
Marriage to an American: Visa and Green Card options

Citizenship for Soldiers
Thousands of military personnel are not yet citizens of the U.S., and are thus defending a country in which they lack certain rights, including the right to vote for their own leaders.

Deportation - U.S.
What does the U.S. immigration term deportation mean?

Citizenship USA With Carl Shusterman, Esq.
Becoming a US Citizen No Foreign Prince or Potentate: Becoming a U.S. Citizen! Attorney and Certified

US Immigration History
Overview of Immigration in America

Immigration Before & After: Putting it in Perspective
Immigration Before & After: Putting it in Perspective What has changed as a result of the events that

Immigration, Same-Sex Partners
Same-sex partners have a rough time when one is a foreigner hoping to immigrate based on the relationship.

The H-1B Portability Rule: How to Change Employers
H-1B Portability Rule - Guidance Policy by the INS

Green Cards Based on Work, in Other Words, Employment-Based Green Cards, Can Utilize Premium Processing for Their Applications for Adjustment of Status for Immigration to the US.
The Fast-Track to US Immigration and Adjustment of Status for Employment-Based Green Card Applicants

Why be a US Citizen
Becoming a US citizen has its rewards. Here are the top 10

Step-by-Step U.S. Visa
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a visa to the United States, and using it properly once you have it.

Who is Elian Gonzalez?
Elian Gonzalez for news-dummies: The entire case is summarized here, from day one.

TIPS FOR U.S. VISAS: Fiance Visa
Information by the U.S. Department of State on marriage-based visas (K-1 fiance and alien-spouse)

Winner Selection Process
DV-2009 Green Card Lottery selection process

Student Visa
For those who wish to study in the USA, here is how you can get a student visa, step by step.

Advance Parole - U.S.
What is advance parole in U.S. immigration terms?

From Alien to Greencard Holder
Explanation of the process of changing status from alien to permanent resident (green card holder).

Foreign Credential Evaluation
Foreign Credential Evaluation in the United States By Holly O’Neill West          Introduction Many people,

Priority Dates Transcript
Transcript of our informative chat on priority dates with leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman in quick and easy FAQ style recap.

TN VISAS: Professionals Under NAFTA
Information by the U.S. Department of State about how to get a TN visa (Professionals under NAFTA)

180-day Portability Rule - Clearing Up Misconceptions
Understanding the 180-day Portability Rule

Student to Spouse
Step by step instructions for foreign students in the USA on a student visa, who find themselves in love and ready to marry a US citizen and apply for a spouse-based greencard.

Immigration Court: Appeals, Waivers, Litigation: A Question and Answer Transcript
How To Turn A Losing Case Into A Winner Leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman recently hosted

H-1B Work Visa
Want to work in the USA? If you want an American company to sponsor you, you need a type of work visa called an H-1B visa in order to live and work in the US. Here are the steps to getting one.

Green Card Family
Transcript of our informative chat on green cards through family, with leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman

Adjustment of Status
What is adjustment of status in immigration terms? Here is a definition that's easy to understand.

INS Announces Case Status Online
INS Announces Case Status Online Many Applicants for Benefits Can Check Case Status Using the Internet

Section 212(c) Relief from deportation, for Aliens With Certain Criminal Convictions Before April 1, 1997
Text of the regulations from the Federal Register: [Federal Register: September 28, 2004 (Volume 69,

The Secretary's Open Forum: America's Immigration History and its Current Law
THE SECRETARY'S OPEN FORUM   Presentations were prepared for the Secretary's Open Forum Conversation

Indefinite Detention
Illegal aliens, as well as foreigners legally in the U.S. who have committed a crime, can be deported at any time. While they are awaiting deportation, they may wait indefinitely in jail. This has been going on for a long time. More recently, anyone suspected of having ties to terrorism can be held indefinitely as well. "indefinitely" can mean years, without any set court date.

Advance Parole
How to get an advance parole/travel permission while your immigration application is pending.

Foreign Credential Evaluation in the United States
Foreign Credential Evaluation in the United States By Holly O’Neill West       Part II Pages  1, 2, 

And Who Needs To
Find out who needs to fill out the G325 forms and how to do so.

Asylee
What is an asylee in the United States?

U. S. Citizenship
Article by leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman, Esq. on becoming a U.S. citizen through your parents, also called citizenship by acquisition or citizenship by derivation.

Help With INS Forms
Help With INS Forms: Filling in the Blanks Legal assistant Claudia Gregorian, Law Offices of Carl Shusterman,

Getting Settled in the USA: A Guide
Getting Established in the USA     Join the Discussion "But what about all the legitimate people who

What is an Immigration Bail Bond?
Information about immigration bail bonds

Bouts pour des visas des États-Unis: Visiter les Etats-Unis pour tourisme ou affaires
CONSEILS POUR VISAS DES ETATS-UNIS: Visiter les Etats-Unis pour tourisme ou affaires Habituellement,

Fake i.d. and Green Cards a Growing Problem
Fake i.d. and Green Cards a Growing Problem   Join the Discussion "Some pro-immigration folks would consider

Fiance Visa Time Frame
Green Card Through Marriage - Transcript of a Q&A session about marriage and the Green Card in easy FAQ style recap, with Carl Shusterman, Esq. - Question #16

Chat Contact List -- Immigration Issues
Page Your Guides or an Immigration Chat Buddy to Come Join You in Our Chat Room: Below is a list of immigration

LIFE: New Immigration Laws - 245(i), V visa, K visa, Amnesty & More
LIFE: Section 245(i) and Other Immigration Benefits   Join the Discussion 'Does 245(i) apply to me?'

Is a Submissive Wife the Key to a Happy Marriage?
Is a Submissive Wife the Key to a Happy Marriage? Author Laura Doyle thinks so, and apparently a lot

Green Cards Through Family - Chat Transcript
Chat on Getting A Green Card Through Family Jennifer Wipf : Mr. Shusterman is here everyone. Remember

Apply for Asylum
A step-by-step guide to applying for asylum status in the USA.

Arnold Profile
From Bodybuilder champ to movie star to governor of California: Arnold Schwarzenegger embodies the American dream. Read about his career highlights and the history of Austrian immigration to the United States, including other notable immigrants.

Conditional Resident U.S.
What is a conditional resident in the United States?

Whether you are traveling overseas for business
Your Trip Abroad Department of State Publication 10542 Bureau of Consular Affairs April 1998 FOREWORD

Kite Runner
Review of Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner," the story of an Afghan immigrant to the United States and his childhood in Afghanistan.

GUIDESITE Glossary
GUIDESITE Glossary A               H               O               U B               I               

Civil Surgeon - U.S.
In the context of U.S. immigration issues, what is meant by the term civil surgeon?

Cubans Admitted to US Easily. Is it Fair?
The Cuban Connection   Join the Discussion "There's no telling how many others have died trying to cross.It

Amnesty for Illegal Aliens - Mexicans as Well as Others is Possible
Bush to Consider Amnesty for All

Find an Immigration Attorney
How to find yourself a damn good immigration attorney in the United States. This guide will help you choose the immigration attorney that is right for you.

U.S. Citizen: Tips on How to Become One, an expert transcript
On Monday, June 5, 2000, leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman hosted a chat on our site. Here

U.S. Visitor Visas
US Visitor Visas for business or pleasure

Professional Work Visa Issues
A look at the issues surrounding professional worker visas to the U.S., namely the L-1 and H-1B visas, annual caps, rules, regulations, and the effect of these visas on American workers.

Immigration Issues for Nurses
Chat For Nurses: H-1C's, TN's and Permanent Residence Transcript Chat For Nurses: H-1C's, TN's and Permanent

A Foreign-Born US President?
If Arnold Schwarzenegger has his way, he might be able to run for President of the United States some day. Right now, the US Constitution requires that a president be born on US soil. Could that change?

Visitor to Spouse
Step by step instructions on how to go from visitor status (visa waiver or visitor visa) to legal spouse with temporary work and travel permission, and eventually a green card.

Marriage and Immigration
Marriage-based green cards and fiance visas, an overview of the options.

i-245 Revival - LIFE
Temporary Revival of i-245

Part 2: Getting Settled in the USA: A Guide
Getting Established in the USA   Join the Discussion "But what about all the legitimate people who can't

Our Forums - Look What's Going On! Immigration Issues
Register as a member of Immigration Issues and all of About.com, for FREE! Then use the back button to

Appeal a Denial
How to appeal a denial by the USCIS (former INS, BCIS).

Derivative Citizenship U.S.
What is derivative citizenship in the United States?

Adopt
The steps you need to take, in terms of immigration procedure, if you are interested in adopting a child from abroad.

BIA Favors Kids
BIA Rules In Favor of Children Who Aged-Out Despite CSPA

245(i) is Back! Who Qualifies? - Q&A
Qualifying Under the New Section 245(i) Law

Sponsor a Sibling
How to sponsor your brother or sister for a visa/green card/permanent residence in the United States.

Visa / Green Card Backlog
Immigration applications take months and years to be processed. Waiting times and priority dates are out of control. Applicants wait for years abroad to be reunited with their families in the U.S. Is this right? Is it wrong? What are the arguments from both sides? What can be done about it? Should something be done at all?

The I-94
What is an I94 form, and when is it used?

Green Card Explained
Definition of green card in terms of United States immigration regulations.

Citizenship Tips: Becoming a U.S. Citizen, with Carl Shusterman, Esq.
  Naturalization: Helpful Hints on Becoming a U.S. Citizen If you missed this chat or simply want a recap

Physicians & Nurses: Immigration Primer - Q&A
Physicians & Nurses: Immigration Primer - Q&A   Join the Discussion 'Dilemma Under H-1B' MUTINDA    

A Princess in Love: A Princess in Trouble
A Princess in Love, A Princess in Trouble   It isn't every day that a princess falls in love with a U.S.

Immigrant Musicians: Spotlight on Gloria Estefan
Musician Immigrants Welcome to this new edition to our Musician Immigrant series, a developing collection

Country of Citizenship
What does the term Country of Citizenship mean in U.S. immigration terms?

Nationality
What is a person's country of nationality in U.S. immigration terms?

Winning Baby Born to Illegals
The Toys R Us First-Baby-of-the-year Contest riles tempers in the Asian- and Chinese-American communities, spurring immigration debates.

Holidays Immigrate Too
How immigrants contributed to many winter holiday traditions in the United States of America

Deportable Alien - U.S.
What does it mean if someone refers to a foreigner as a deportable alien?

Sponsors Responsible
Sponsors must be financially responsible says USCIS

U.S Citizenship Certificate
What is a Certificate of Citizenship as designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)?

INS Supports Reinstating Section 245-I to Reunite Families
INS Supports Reinstating Section 245-I to Reunite Families T he U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Another Revival of 245(i) with New Rules
Extension of 245(i) for a Second Time

Immigration Photos
U.S. immigration photos

Finding an Immigration Lawyer
How to find yourself a damn good immigration lawyer in the United States. This guide will help you choose the immigration lawyer that is right for you.

Contacting a Service Center
Call your USCIS (former INS) service center, toll free, rather than going through the national service center for immigration or visa assistance.

Poll: What is the main reason for people migrating? - Immigration Issues
Migration Motivation What is the main reason for people migrating? War in their home country Political

Acquired Citizenship
What does "Acquired Citizenship" mean in the United States of America? Here is the glossary definition.

US Supreme Court Rules: No Deportation Without a Hearing
Deportees to get their day in court

New Immigration Amendments - Passed 12/15/00 for benefits regarding 245(i), two new visas, amnesty
LIFE: Section 245(i) and Other Immigration Benefits   Join the Discussion 'Does §245(i) apply to me?'

Immigration Issues - HowTos
An index of HowTos for the Immigration Issues guide site.

Amnesty? - Immigration Issues Transcript
Amnesty? Transcript of chat with Carl Shusterman, Esq.

Visa Denials
Information by the U.S. Department of State about visa denials

Parent Citizens, my AOS app
Priority Dates and Family Sponsorship: What happens to my visa application when my parents become citizens?

Finding a Damn Good Immigration Attorney
How to find yourself a damn good immigration attorney

Migrant Worker Program Gets Support
Migrant Worker Program Gets Support   Join the Discussions "Some pro-immigration folks would consider

1996 Immigration Law: Clinton Press Realease on Possible Reforms
For Immediate Release Thursday, July 10, 1997 Administration Proposes Finetuning for 1996 Immigration

Application Support Center USA
Definition of Application Support Centers in connection with US immigration

DMV Denies Licenses to Legal Immigrants
Now DMV is Turning Legal Immigrants Away The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has long been a foe of

Judicial Review
Explanation of the term judicial review in the context of immigration

Labor Certification: Going from Regular to RIR
Labor Certification: Regular to RIR Join the Discussion "Is Research Assistant work experience considered

Visa Differences
Explanation of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa in terms of United States immigration regulations.

All Chats hosted on this site with immigration attorney Carl Shusterman, Esq.
Index of all chats with leading immigration attorney Carl Shusterman: 245(i) is Back On the Table: What's

New H-1B Law: American Competitiveness In the Twenty-First Century Act - FAQ
The New H-1B Bill/Law: Q&A, FAQ, Transcript