The Compleat Lawyer Winter 1997, Volume 14, No. 1 copyright American Bar Association. All rights reserved. He is vice-chair of the Immigration Law Committee of the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section.
Clients seek advice about U.S. immigration law for a number of reasons.
Perhaps they wish to unify a family, raise capital for an existing business, open a new business, adopt a child, hire an employee, defend against administrative or criminal proceedings, hire an au pair, or consult with an expert. Statutes and regulations mirror the chronic conflict in U.S. immigration policy between the goal of restricting immigration to protect the security and economy of the United States and the goal of permitting immigration to meet the needs of business, to benefit the country's economy and culture, and for humanitarian reasons. Keep an Eye Out for these Situations Aliens who are issued immigrant visas are required to take up permanent residency within six months of receiving their visas. Thereafter, they must maintain the United States as their permanent place of abode. Nonimmigrant visas are often valid for periods longer than the period of admission granted by INS at the border.