How the system works

The system that regulates immigration into the United States is highly complex. Many agencies have responsibility for different aspects of immigration regulation. To learn more, please click here.

Grounds of inadmissibility

Not everyone who wishes to come to the United States may do so. Many people are inadmissible because of past misconduct or their association with certain organizations. To learn more about the different reasons why someone may be found inadmissible, please click here.

Material misrepresentaions

Many applicants fail to understand that making a material misrepresentation when applying for immigration benefits has very serious consequences. To learn more, please click here.

 

How to Begin

For those who know little or nothing about the US immigration system, getting started can be a daunting task. The purpose of this site is to make things easier for you. Let's start with the basics.

The immigration laws of the United States are administered by a number of different agencies. They each have different functions and responsibilities. It is important to know who does what.

There are a number of specialized terms and acronyms that are used in the immigration process. These can be very confusing and it is important to understand the terminology. There are also certain basic concepts, such as "visa" and "status" that are often confused. We have prepared a list of frequently asked questions for you to read before getting stated. You can also go to the "How do I get started?" page. It is important to understand what constitutes "unlawful status" and "unlawful presence." It is even more important to understand the difference between maintaining status and unlawful presence.

Once you feel a bit more comfortable, please click on the links you will find in the sidebars on either side of this page. After you have read the articles there, please move on to the general subject matter area that interests you from the sidebars on the sides of the main Library page.

Visas may be refused for any of three types of reasons. In addition to qualifying to visit or immigrate to the United States, it is also important to make sure that the person applying for a visa is not inadmissible to the United States.

Finally, make sure to visit the page that explains what we can do to assist you.

Who does what

Understanding which federal agency does what immigration function can be confusing. To learn more about the different agencies and their responsibilities, please click here.

Using an attorney

Knowing whether to use and attorney and how to select one, if necessary, is very important. To learn more about this subject, please click here.

 

What we can do to help you get started

If you don't know what to do, and are seeking legal representation, we can assist you with your immigration issue. We do not charge any fees for talking with people about possible representation. If you would like to learn more, please click here.