US Immigration Problems

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Most of us are confronted with immigration problems both while in the US and outside the US. If you feel that your immigration problems were manifold at the borders than while in the US, think again. Here is why.

Lets start with those lucky ones who have got their green card through marriages. Not many are aware that there are underlying conditions attached with green cards obtained through marriage. If a green card has a two year expiration date it implies that the applicant is on a conditional permanent residence status. To remove the conditions attached with the green card, the applicant needs to file the the form I-751. The form I-751 must be filed during the 90 days immediately before the card is due to expire. In most instances this form is filed jointly by both the husband and wife to show the USCIS that they are together. However if this form is not filed on time there is an underlying risk of loosing his/her immigrant status and to compound to their immigration woes, his/her stay in the US will be termed as illegal.

Most of us are vary of the fact that green card plays a pivotal role in our daily life. The possession of a green card allows us to work, live and study in the USA without any problems. But the absence of one would leave us stranded in an immigration outpost or while renewing a drivers license. There have been many an instances were people have been stopped by immigration officials for not possessing a valid green card. So think again whenever you embark on a trip. Ask yourself the question, “Am I traveling with a valid card?”

There has been a steady influx of immigrants to the US over the years. These immigrants are in the US with varied visas. Per law, these immigrants are required to notify the USCIS of their change of address through the form AR-11 within 10 days. Post 9/11 USCIS has made it mandatory that all immigrants with the exception of US citizens should notify them within 10 days of them moving to the US their address and a change of address if any with the form AR-11. Failure to comply with this immigration INS rule would lead to harsh penalty which also includes imprisonment or removal from the US.

Individuals and employers are also confronted with serious problems arising out of the complexity of the immigration process. Though the Immigration and Nationality Act is the principal statute that governs the immigration laws in the US, there are myriad other laws, regulations, procedures and policies that would play a great part in the manner in which a foreign national may enter the United States, while seeking temporary status, green card or for that matter his US Citizenship too. Many of these immigration problems stem from the complexity and opaque nature of the immigration rules and the various agencies administering them.

Applicants filing with the USCIS continue to face lengthy and costly processes which adversely impacts their immigration prospects.

US Immigration Laws

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Immigration means the movement of a foreign individual into a country to live on a permanent basis. Each individual who wish to enter a country must seek permission to enter the country and abide by the law. The immigration law refers to the government policies which handles the immigration to the United States. All the US immigration laws are handled by the United States Citizenship and Immigration services , commonly called as USCIS is a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The USCIS performs many administrative services carried out by the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS).

If an individual seeks to enter United States on a temporary basis or to stay permanently , he/she is required to have a valid passport and in most cases requires a visa by the law. The laws determine what a person must do in order to enter United states and stay for the authorized period of time. The individual who seeks to enter United States may enter with either immigrant or non – immigrant visa. An Immigrant visa is used by people who wish to travel to live permanently in US . Non- immigrant visas are issued to people who wish to travel to United States on a temporary basis for business or pleasure.

The USCIS is in charge to make sure the law is being followed by all immigrants and non – immigrants. This includes tracking of the illegal people in United States and ensures that the legal people follow the rules for becoming a permanent resident or a citizen of the United States.

Understanding immigration and its benefits

The law is regulated with the rights that the law will be followed by each individual. An immigration ins law judge may control or oversee the requests to become a US Citizen. To explain this clearly if a person in a refugee status wishes to obtain permanent residency based on the individual facing prosecution by race or nationality, and is permitted to obtain permanent resident status by the law, the immigration law judge may preside over the case to determine whether the individual truly deserves the amnesty.

If a person violates the immigration laws, penalties are decided per the rules either the person to be deported for entering United States illegally or to be prisoned if attempting to obtain citizenship or permanent resident through improper means.

Being an immigrant an individual is benefited in many ways. The individual may increase in cultural diversity, provide economic gains , increase in the standard of living in the part of immigrants, adopt a younger worker force , skilled workers in much needed sectors, obtain social security and various other benefits.

This also includes the national health law program where it provides health care or medicaid to all the employees , workers , people with disabilities and elderly people of the United States .

Immigration means more workers , more consumers and a larger economy for United States. This leads to lower process and much more increase in the purchasing power.

Even though immigration does have disadvantages such as poverty, education costs, increase in crimes , the positive outcomes of the immigration does outweigh the disadvantages.

What is Immigration test?

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Immigration to US is a complex issue!Yes it is complex for those who do not understand the language and system in US. It is therefore important to have a thorough knowledge about the English language and the history of US,since the USCIS insists on an English test for those who migrate to US.

While applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, the USCIS administers an immigration test to all the applicants. This is a test to manifest the ability of reading, writing and speaking English and further judging the knowledge about the history and the government of the US .

After filing the US citizenship Application, form N-400, USCIS will send an appointment letter for fingerprinting. The applicant will be requested to appear at the local Application Support Center at the date and time listed on the appointment letter. After the back ground check USCIS will notify the applicant about the date, time and place of the interview. At the interview, the applicant will be given the immigration test. If the applicant passes the test he/she will receive a notification in the mail informing him or her to appear at a Naturalization Oath ceremony. At the ceremony, the applicant will take on oath of allegiance, receive a Citizenship certificate or naturalization certificate, and become a citizen of the U.S.

Immigration Test Questions:

Immigration test is your ability to read, write, and speak English and your knowledge of civics. This test is conducted by the USCIS officer during the interview. To test your reading skills, you will have to read one sentence correctly among the three and to test your writing skills you have to write one sentence correctly among the three sentences provided. Regarding your speaking skills, it will be judged during your interview on your citizenship application, the way you converse with the officials. Lastly, to judge your civics knowledge, you have to answer six questions correctly from the ten provided, so as to pass the test.

You will be given two chances in the above tests, both in English and civics tests and to answer all questions relating to your naturalization application in English. At your initial interview, if you fail in the above test, you will have to undergo a retest between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview on the part you failed, either in English or in Civics.

All applicants are required to take the English language test and the Civics test, unless he/she qualifies for an exemption or waiver. Further if the applicant is above 50 years of age and he/she meets certain residency requirements, he/she does not have to take the whole immigration test but only the civics test in his language of choice and if the immigrant is more than 65 years of age he/she does not have to take the English test but should take a simpler version of the civics test in his language of choice

The main idea of the immigration test is to ensure that the applicant has adequate knowledge about the recent news and the US government. To get through the test, applicants can update themselves with information from newspapers, articles and books about history and prepare well ahead for the Immigration INS test.