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Immigration Legal Glossary
Immigrant: In general, this term refers to aliens living in the United States and is used synonymously with legal permanent residency. Any present alien in the United States who is not in a specified class of nonimmigrant aliens, like a student or temporary visitor, is considered to be a legal alien under this definition.Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR): An immigrant given permission to live in the United States based on job qualifications or family ties is known as an LPR. Once arriving in the country, lawful permanent residents may apply for immigrant visas through the Department of State overseas or change their status to LPR with the INS. Lawful permanent residents typically have "green cards" and are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of residing in the United States.
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Nonimmigrant: Nonimmigrants are people who are permitted to enter the country for a specific reason and for a short time, such as tourists, students, business visitors, diplomats, and people who work in specialized fields like seasonal agricultural workers or high tech workers.
Sponsors: As of December 19, 1997, immigrants who wish to reunite with their family in the United States must provide an affidavit of support (a legal document that agrees to financially assist the immigrant) from their sponsor(s). To be an eligible sponsor, a person must currently be a citizen, national or lawful permanent resident, age 18 or over, a resident of the 50 states or Washington D.C., and the petitioner for admission of the immigrant.
Naturalization: This is when a foreign-born person is considered a citizen of the United States. However, they must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate a basic knowledge of English as well as American government and history, have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 3-5 years, and demonstrate good moral character.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): A federal agency a part of the Department of Homeland Security that regulates lawful immigration to the United States. Some responsibilities include:
- Providing employment authorization to qualified aliens
- Issuing documentation of alien employment authorization
- Maintaining Forms I-9 Giving the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program
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Visa: A U.S. visa gives a person the opportunity to apply for entry into the U.S. under a certain type of classification, like a visitor (B), student (F), or temporary worker (H). Once applying, the bearer does not automatically qualify for entrance into the United States. The Department of State is in charge of visa adjudication at U.S Embassies and Consulates outside of the U.S.
Asylum: In order to avoid being removed from the country, an asylum application has to be submitted to an immigration judge during removal proceedings in immigration court. The Executive Office for Immigration Review includes immigration courts (EOIR).
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Our immigration lawyers are committed to providing legal support for individuals facing challenges. Whether you require legal representation, information on immigration procedures, or advice regarding detention matters, we're here to address your concerns and provide solutions.
Contact our Lafayette Immigration Law Firm today by calling or visiting our website to schedule a consultation with a Lafayette immigration lawyer. Let's discuss your legal challenges, delve into the contributions of immigrants to Louisiana, and showcase our skills in handling immigration matters. Your journey to a new beginning begins here with Rozas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for a K-1 Visa to the United States involves several steps, each requiring specific documentation. Please visit our page to see a detailed breakdown of the documents you will need to complete this process.
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that offers a lifeline to undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as kids. It helps protect them from deportation and allows them to work legally.
Technically no, you cannot get a convicted DUI expunged in Louisiana. However, there are specific situations where you can avoid having it on your record, but you have to meet particular criteria to be eligible. Get in touch with a professional DUI lawyer today and get a criminal defense consultation.
The cost of an immigration lawyer varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the attorney's experience, and the services required. Read our FAQ to learn more.
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that offers a lifeline to undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as kids. It helps protect them from deportation and allows them to work legally.
Absolutely, a lawyer can potentially accelerate your immigration case by adeptly navigating legal complexities and advocating on your behalf within the bounds of the law and available procedures.
Sponsoring an immigrant to come to the United States is a complex process with many steps. This is why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to answer the question, “What areor professional organizations. Look for a reputable attorney like Rozas and Associates.
The cost of an immigration lawyer varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the attorney's experience, and the services required. Read our FAQ to learn more.
The initial cost of a DUI can vary depending on the severity and the number of offenses you have accumulated. This is a general overview of what you could pay.
- First offense - $300 - $1,000
- Second Offense - $750 - $1,000
- Third Offense - $2,000
- Fourth Offense - $5,000
It is important to know that you will be spending more than just this specific fine. You will potentially have to pay for a breathalyzer interlock device in your vehicle, take court-approved substance abuse programs, and more.
You cannot get a DUI on a bike because the law applies to people operating a motor vehicle. The penalty for riding a bicycle drunk would be a ticket for public intoxication and possibly not following traffic laws.
When you get a DUI, you could face jail time, fines, community service, license suspension, and more, depending on the number of previous offenses. If you are convicted of a DUI in Louisiana, it can stay on your record for the rest of your life. This can affect you negatively when applying for a job, applying for a loan, or purchasing a gun. Your insurance rates may go up.
Technically no, you cannot get a convicted DUI expunged in Louisiana. However, there are specific situations where you can avoid having it on your record, but you have to meet particular criteria to be eligible. Get in touch with a professional DUI lawyer today and get a criminal defense consultation.
No, Louisiana divorce laws allow couples to file for divorce just based on the fact that they are living separately and apart from one another.
Yes. Spouses must live completely apart from one another for 180 days when there are no children involved. If they have kids, the divorcing couple must be separated for 1 year. If the divorce is fault-based, the couple will have to spend 2 years living separately before the divorce will be finalized.
In Louisiana, a no-fault divorce can take between 6 months and a little over a year, depending on child status. In fault-based divorces, the process will take at least 2 years. However, the residual effects of the divorce such as child custody agreements, property settlements, etc, will likely extend the process as a whole. If this is the case, hiring a divorce lawyer in Louisiana is highly recommended.
Yes. There are as many divorce laws as there are states. Even neighboring states can have completely different laws than each other. For example, divorce in Louisiana greatly differs from divorce in Texas or Mississippi. Before filing for divorce, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with Louisiana divorce law and consider hiring an experienced divorce attorney.
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