The Immigration Handbook
A Practical Guide to United States Visas, Permanent Residency and Citizenship
$39.95
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About the Book
While the United States remains a nation of immigrants, the path to citizenship is not an easy one—and in fact has become more difficult in recent years. In clear, readable language, this volume explains in detail every step an individual must take to obtain a nonimmigrant visa, an immigrant visa leading to permanent residency, or actual citizenship.
This book is essential reading for anyone involved with immigration—whether for themselves, a relative, or an employee. Examples of common immigration forms for the individual and for families are included and a list is provided of the most important websites for immigration issues.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Ivan Vasic
Format: softcover (8.5 x 11)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4009-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5506-5
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface 1
Introduction 3
Part I. Permanent Resident Status
Chapter 1. Overview 7
A. Permanent Resident Status 7
B. Backlog 8
C. Immediate Relatives 8
D. Derivative Beneficiaries 8
E. Aging Out—The Child Status Protection Act 9
F. Adjustment of Status 9
G. Travel During Adjustment of Status 12
H. Work During Adjustment of Status 13
I. Denial of Application for Adjustment of Status 13
J. Rescission of Adjustment of Status 13
K. Visa Processing 13
L. Required Documents 14
Chapter 2. Obtaining Permanent Resident Status Through Family Relations 15
A. Relatives You Can Sponsor 15
B. Relatives You Cannot Sponsor 15
C. Evidence of United States Citizenship 16
D. Evidence of Permanent Residence Status 16
E. Evidence of Family Relationship 16
F. Special Rules Regarding Marriage 17
G. Affidavit of Support 20
Chapter 3. Other Family Categories 22
A. Amerasians 22
B. Widows and Widowers 23
C. Battered or Abused Spouses or Children of U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents 23
D. Orphans 24
E. Hague Adoption Convention 26
Chapter 4. Obtaining Permanent Resident Status Through Employment 29
A. Priority Workers 30
B. Advanced Degree Professionals and Aliens with Exceptional Ability in Sciences, Arts, or Business 32
C. Skilled Workers, Professionals and Unskilled Workers 33
D. Special Immigrants 34
E. Investors 35
F. Labor Certification 37
Chapter 5. Obtaining Permanent Resident Status Through Immigration Lottery 45
A. Eligibility Requirements 45
B. Application Process 46
C. Special Instructions for Photographs 46
Chapter 6. Asylum and Refugees 48
A. General Information 48
B. Asylum and Withholding of Removal Application 49
C. Asylum Procedure 50
D. Withholding of Removal 51
E. Spouse and Children 51
F. Work During Asylum Proceedings 52
G. Travel During Asylum Proceedings 52
H. Temporary Protected Status 53
Chapter 7. Useful Forms and Tips 54
A. How Do I Obtain a Replacement I-94 Card? 54
B. How Do I Obtain a Replacement Green Card? 55
C. Why Have I Not Received My Green Card? 55
D. How Do I Report a Change of Address? 55
E. How Do I Get My Original Documents Back? 55
F. How Do I Get Advance Permission to Reenter the United States If I Believe I May Be Inadmissible? 56
G. E-Verify—How Can I Determine Whether an Employee Can Legally Work in the United
States? 56
H. INFOPASS—How Do I Make an Appointment with USCIS or Check the Status of My Case? 56
I. How Do I Apply for Reentry Permit If I Am a Permanent Resident and My Trip Will Last
More Than Twelve Months? 57
Part II. Obtaining Citizenship
Chapter 1. Citizenship by Birth 61
A. Child Residing in the United States 61
B. Child Residing Outside the United States 62
Chapter 2. Citizenship by Naturalization 63
A. Residency Requirements 63
B. “Good Moral Character” 65
C. English and Civics Test 65
D. Naturalization Procedure 66
E. Selective Service 66
F. Obtaining a Replacement Certificate of Naturalization 67
Chapter 3. Losing Citizenship 68
Part III. Obtaining Nonimmigrant Visas
Chapter 1. Visitor Visa/Business Visa (B1/B2) 71
Chapter 2. Visa Waiver Program 73
Chapter 3. Canadian and Mexican Citizens as Visitors 74
A. FAST (Free and Secure Trade) 75
B. NEXUS and SENTRI 75
Chapter 4. Exchange Visitor Program ( J1/J2) 76
A. Categories 76
B. Employment for J2 Visa Holders 78
C. Procedure and Requirements for Visa Approval 79
D. Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement 79
E. Waivers to Two-year Residency Requirement 80
Chapter 5. Cultural Visitors (Q1/Q2/Q3) 82
Chapter 6. Student Visas (F1/F2 and M1/M2) 84
A. F1/F2 Visas 84
B. M1/M2 Visas 87
Chapter 7. NAFTA Professional Workers (TN and TD Visas) 89
Chapter 8. Specialty Visa (H1B) 91
A. Persons in Specialty Occupations (H1B1) 92
B. Persons Providing Services to the Department of Defense (H1B2) 94
C. Distinguished Fashion Models (H1B3) 95
D. Physicians (H1B) 95
Chapter 9. Temporary Agricultural Workers (H2A) 96
A. Job Offer 97
B. Statement of Assurances 97
C. Duration of Status 98
Chapter 10. Nonagricultural Temporary Workers (H2B) 99
A. Procedure 99
B. Tree Planters and Entertainers 101
Chapter 11. Trainees (H3) 102
A. Special Education Programs 102
B. Duration 103
Chapter 12. Treaty Traders and Investors (E1/E2) 104
A. Treaty Traders (E1) 104
B. Treaty Investors (E2) 105
C. Documentation 105
D. Duration, Spouse and Dependents 105
Chapter 13. Fiancé/Fiancée Visa (K1/K2) 106
A. Documentation 106
B. International Broker Regulation Act 107
Chapter 14. Spouse of U.S. Citizen (K3) 108
Chapter 15. Religious Worker (R1/R2) 109
Chapter 16. Foreign Media: Press, Radio and Film (I) 111
Chapter 17. Intracompany Transfers (L1/L2) 112
A. Documentation 112
B. Blanket L Visa Petitions 113
C. Duration and Dependents 113
Chapter 18. Aliens of Extraordinary Ability (O1/O2) 114
A. Evidentiary Requirements for O1 Arts and Motion Picture and Television Industry 114
B. Evidentiary Requirements for O1 Science, Education, Business or Athletics 115
C. Consultation with “Peer” Group or Union 115
D. Duration, Spouse, and Dependents 116
E. Traded Professional Athletes in O1 Status 116
Chapter 19. Artists, Athletes, and Entertainers (P1/P2/P3/P4) 117
A. Athletes and Entertainers (P1) 117
B. Reciprocal Exchange (P2) 118
C. Culturally Unique Programs (P3) 119
D. Duration of P Visas 119
Chapter 20. Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents (V) 120
Chapter 21. Victims of Criminal Activity (U) 121
Chapter 22. Premium Processing Service 122
Chapter 23. Waiver of Inadmissibility for Nonimmigrants 123
Part IV. Inadmissibility and Deportability
Chapter 1. Inadmissibility 127
A. Health-related Grounds 127
B. Criminal and Related Grounds 128
C. Security Grounds 130
D. Public Charge 131
E. Labor Certification 131
F. Illegal Entrants and Immigration Violators 131
G. Lack of Documentary Requirements for Entry into the United States 132
H. Persons Ineligible for Citizenship 132
I. Draft Evaders 132
J. Aliens Previously Deported 132
K. Aliens Unlawfully Present in the United States 132
L. Waivers for Refugees 133
Chapter 2. Deportation or Removal from the United States 134
A. Grounds for Deportation 134
1. Inadmissible persons or violators of immigration status 134
2. Criminal offenses 135
3. Change of address and falsification of documents 136
4. Security grounds 136
5. Public charge 137
6. Unlawful voting in the United States 137
B. Deportation Procedure 137
1. Deportation of aliens seeking admission into the United States 137
2. Deportation proceeding 138
Appendix A. Form Packages for Various
Family Categories 145
Appendix B. Sample Immigration Forms 147
Appendix C. Web Sites 210
Sources 211
Index 213
Book Reviews & Awards
“recommended”—Choice; “essential reading by anyone interested in becoming a US citizen”—ARBA.
