Immigration Law Topics

• Immigration Law Center
• Green Cards and Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.
  • Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Residence Without Leaving the U.S.
  • Differences Between Green Cards and Visas Under the Law
  • Foreign Diplomats and Employees of International Organizations Applying for Green Cards
  • Foreign Employees of the U.S. Government Applying for Green Cards
  • Employment-Based Green Cards Sponsored by Family Members
  • Keeping Your Green Card
• Becoming a U.S. Citizen Under Naturalization Law
  • Civics and English Language Tests Under Naturalization Law
  • Risks of Applying for Citizenship
  • Cancellation of Green Card After Citizenship Denial
  • Cost of Applying for Citizenship
  • Residency Requirement When Applying for Citizenship
  • The Fingerprinting Requirement for Citizenship Applications Under Naturalization Law
  • Who Is Legally Eligible for Expedited Review of a U.S. Citizenship Application?
  • Applying for U.S. Citizenship as a Former Asylee or Refugee & Related Legal Concerns
  • Fee Waivers When Applying for Citizenship & Potential Impact on Legal Eligibility
  • The Naturalization Interview & Establishing Legal Eligibility for Citizenship
  • Second Chance Naturalization Interviews & Proving Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
  • Requesting a Hearing After Denial of U.S. Citizenship Under Naturalization Law
  • Moving After Applying for Citizenship
  • The Naturalization Ceremony & Legally Swearing Allegiance to the U.S.
  • Muslim Applicants for Citizenship & Their Legal Options When Placed on the CARRP List
  • Name Corrections & Legal Name Changes in the Naturalization Process
  • Birthright Citizenship and Legal Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship Through Parents
    • How People Born Before 1986 Can Legally Acquire Citizenship Through Parents
    • How People Born After 1986 Can Legally Acquire Citizenship Through Parents
    • How You Can Legally Derive Citizenship Through Parents
    • Adopted Children Legally Qualifying for Citizenship Through Acquisition or Derivation
    • Obtaining Legal Proof of U.S. Citizenship for Foreign-Born Adopted Children of Citizens
  • When Military Service Members and Veterans May Have Legal Shortcuts to Citizenship
  • Children of Refugees Legally Qualifying for Citizenship Through Derivation
  • How Conditional Resident Status Can Legally Affect Applying for Citizenship
  • When Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence May Have Legal Shortcuts to Citizenship
  • Crimes That May Legally Prevent You From Receiving U.S. Citizenship
  • Public Benefits & Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
  • When Political Affiliations Can Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship
  • Does an Extramarital Affair Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship?
  • Impact of Bigamy or Polygamy on Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
  • Does Failure to Register With the Selective Service Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship?
  • When Absences From the U.S. Can Affect Legal Eligibility for Citizenship
  • How Getting U.S. Citizenship Provides Legal Advantages
    • How Getting U.S. Citizenship Helps Foreign Children Legally Enter the U.S.
  • Obtaining Legal Proof of U.S. Citizenship
  • Voting Rights & Legally Registering to Vote After Receiving Citizenship
  • Can U.S. Citizens Legally Hold Dual Citizenship?
  • How Can U.S. Citizenship Be Legally Removed?
• Immigrant Visas Leading to Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.
• Non-Immigrant Visas Providing a Legal Basis for Temporary Residence in the U.S.
  • Overstaying a Non-Immigrant Visa & the Legal Rule Against Consular Shopping
  • Affidavits of Support & Legal Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Visas
  • U Visas Providing Legal Status for Certain Foreign National Victims of Crimes
• Work Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
  • PERM Labor Certification & Legal Requirements for Businesses Hiring Foreign Nationals
  • H-1B Visas for Non-Immigrant Foreign Nationals in Specialty Occupations
  • H-2A Visas for Foreign Nationals in Temporary Agricultural Jobs
  • H-2B Visas for Foreign Nationals in Temporary Non-Agricultural Jobs
  • EB-1 Visas for Immigrant Professors, Researchers, Executives, Managers, and Other Priority Workers
  • EB-2 Visas for Immigrant Professionals With Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Abilities
  • EB-3 Visas for Immigrant Professionals, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Laborers
  • O Visas for Non-Immigrant Foreign Nationals With Extraordinary Abilities or Achievements
  • L-1 Visas for Temporary Intracompany Transfers of Foreign National Executives or Managers
  • P Visas for Non-Immigrant Foreign National Athletes, Teams, and Entertainment Groups
  • TN Status Allowing Canadian and Mexican Professionals to Legally Enter the U.S.
• Family Immigration Options Under the Law
  • How Spouses and Fiances Can Legally Qualify for Visas and Green Cards
  • How Children of Visa Applicants Legally Qualify for Derivative Status
  • When Foreign Nationals Are Legally Protected Against Aging Out of Child Status During Immigration Waiting Periods
    • When Immigrant Children of U.S. Citizens Are Legally Protected Against Aging Out of Child Status
  • Adopted Children, Stepchildren, and Legitimated Children Pursuing Green Cards
  • Half-Siblings and Step-Siblings Pursuing Green Cards
  • Proving Legal Domicile in the U.S. on an Affidavit of Support in a Family Green Card Application
  • Why a Foreign National Spouse Is Legally Entitled to Support After Divorce
  • Concurrently Filing a Family Immigration Petition and Green Card Application Under the Law
  • How to Legally Add Children to Approved Family Immigration Petitions for Foreign National Parents
  • How a Family Green Card Applicant Can Legally Enter the U.S. When Their Sponsor Dies Before Visa Approval
  • How to Legally Withdraw Sponsorship of a Family Green Card Application
  • When Crimes Against Children Can Legally Disqualify You From Sponsoring a Family Green Card Application
  • Steps in Applying for Family Visas
• Investor Visas Providing Legal Status in the U.S.
  • E-1 Visas for Foreign Nationals Engaging in Trade With Treaty Nations
  • E-2 Visas Based on Investments in U.S. Businesses Owned by Foreign Nationals
  • EB-5 Visas for Foreign National Entrepreneurs Investing in U.S. Businesses
• Visitor Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
  • B-1 Visas Allowing Foreign National Business Travelers to Legally Enter the U.S.
  • B-2 Visas Allowing Foreign National Tourists to Legally Enter the U.S.
  • Applying for a B-1 or B-2 Visa as a Foreign National Professional or Tourist
• Student Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
  • M-1 Visas for Foreign National Students at Technical or Vocational Schools
  • F-1 Visas for Foreign National Students at Academic Institutions
  • J-1 Visas for Foreign Nationals Participating in Educational or Cultural Exchanges
  • Applying for an F-1 or M-1 Visa as a Foreign National Student
• Denials of Visas or Green Cards & Your Legal Options
• Consular Interviews When Seeking a Visa or Green Card
• VAWA Petitions for Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence & Seeking Legal Status in the U.S.
• How Children of Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence Can Legally Obtain Immigration Status
• Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals Without Green Cards
  • Employment Eligibility Laws for Foreign Nationals and U.S. Employers
• How Foreign Nationals Unable to Return Home Safely May Legally Qualify for Temporary Protected Status
• Asylum for Foreign National Refugees
• Humanitarian Parole for Foreign Nationals With Compelling Needs
  • Applying for Humanitarian Parole to Legally Enter the U.S.
• Advance Parole for Foreign Nationals Living in the U.S. Without Green Cards
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Legal Protections From Deportation
  • When Foreign Nationals May Be Legally Eligible For DACA
  • Crimes That May Legally Bar You From DACA Eligibility
  • Requests for Evidence (RFEs) & Legal Concerns in the DACA Process
  • Working Legally in the U.S. While Holding DACA Status
  • Biometrics Appointments During DACA Renewal Applications & Legal Concerns
  • Pursuing a Marriage-Based Green Card While Holding DACA Status
  • Special Immigration Juvenile Status as a Legal Alternative to DACA Protections
  • The DREAM Act and the Legal Origins of DACA Protections
• Visa Waiver Program for Brief Visits to the U.S. Without Formal Legal Status
• Grounds for Finding a Foreign National Legally Inadmissible to the U.S.
• How the Deportation Legal Process Works
  • When Criminal Convictions Are Legal Grounds for Deportation
  • False Claims of Citizenship Leading to Deportation
  • Guilty Pleas and No Contest Pleas Leading to Deportation
  • Postponing Legal Hearings in Immigration Court
  • Changing Venue for Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • Witnesses in Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • Summary Proceedings Involving Deportation WIthout a Legal Hearing
    • Expedited Removal of Foreign Nationals Under Deportation Law
  • Deferred Inspection Appointments for Lawful Permanent Residents Returning to the U.S.
  • The Notice to Appear and the Start of Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • Master Calendar Hearings in Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • Merits Hearings in Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • Defenses to Deportation for Foreign Nationals Without Legal Status in the U.S.
  • Orders of Removal Following Failure to Appear for Legal Proceedings in Immigration Court
  • When Government Lawyers Appeal Immigration Court Decisions
  • Cancellation of Removal for Green Card Holders
    • Applying for Cancellation of Removal as a Lawful Permanent Resident
  • Cancellation of Removal Without a Green Card
    • Getting a Green Card After Getting Cancellation of Removal
  • Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Residence in Deportation Proceedings
  • Voluntary Departure as a Legal Alternative to Deportation
    • When to Request Voluntary Departure During Deportation Proceedings
  • Detention During Deportation Proceedings & Legal Recourse
    • Conditions in Immigration Detention Facilities & Legal Rights of Foreign Nationals
    • Requesting Release From Immigration Detention During Legal Proceedings
    • Bond Hearings Under Deportation Law
    • Getting Back Your Immigration Bond After Legal Proceedings
  • Waivers of Alien Smuggling When Seeking Immigration Relief or a Green Card
  • Custody & Related Legal Issues for Children of Arrested or Deported Foreign Nationals
  • Prosecutorial Discretion in Deportation Proceedings
    • Why Foreign Nationals May Be Legally Arrested at ICE Appointments After Receiving Prosecutorial Discretion
• Appeals of Immigration Decisions Through the Legal Process
• LGBTQ+ Individuals Facing Immigration Legal Issues
  • Asylum for LGBTQ+ Foreign Nationals
  • Transgender Immigration Rights Under the Law
  • LGBTQ+ Foreign Nationals in Immigration Detention & Their Legal Protections
  • Impact of HIV Status on Immigration Legal Issues
• Inspections of Foreign Nationals Seeking to Legally Enter the U.S.
• Unlawful Presence in the U.S. & Legal Penalties
• Tax Law Issues for Visa or Green Card Holders
• Waivers of Legal Inadmissibility to the U.S.
• How a Criminal Record Legally Affects Immigration Status
• How Social Media Use Can Affect Legal Admissibility to the U.S.
• Immigration Law FAQs
• Immigration Laws Reference
• Immigration Law Glossary
• Immigration Law & Policy Articles
• Immigration Law Resources
• Immigration Legal Forms

Last reviewed October 2023