A brief history of immigration law in the United States
For many years, the US had immigration and nationality laws that were stiffly enforced. The quota system limited the number of individuals who may enter the country lawfully. Those who were allowed to immigrate had very few avenues available for their entry. An immigration lawyer describes these tough times as being “strict and cruel.”
In 1965, Congress passed the Immigration Act (also known as the Hart-Celler act). This law did away with the quota system. It also allowed more immigrants to enter from certain countries. Unfortunately, it had taken a long time before this new policy resulted in actual visa numbers that reflect America’s international obligation (for its share of refugees).
The Immigration Act also made it easier to obtain asylum in the US if one was fleeing persecution or violence. Also, some green cards were given out on humanitarian grounds. However, most applications for permanent residence were still denied because they didn’t meet established criteria. These prerequisites included having a sponsor within the US and having a job offer in the US.
The types of immigrants who are most likely to be rejected by the US
At this time, the United States government does not have mass deportations toward illegal immigrants. To ensure that these people are documented and assimilated into US society properly, they must be issued Social Security numbers to work and receive other legal benefits legally. But to get those identification numbers, they need to prove that they are legally eligible to be in the country. This is where it becomes difficult for them: Without proper documentation (and even with appropriate documentation), immigrating into America can take months or years – an immigrant may have been living inside our borders for decades without ever having been awarded an SSN or other forms of identification.
Immigrants may legally be in the US without presenting identification. In most cases, applicants will have to submit birth certificates and similar documents issued by their home country or parents. These documents may or may not exist – if they do exist, they may have been lost; if they don’t exist, it might be because the applicant’s parents never registered his birth with a government agency (or were themselves undocumented). This creates a hurdle for any prospective immigrants who want to apply for SSNs.
The law says that workers must supply several types of documentation to prove their eligibility as employees: A Social Security card, indicating that the worker has successfully applied for a social security number, along with proof of age and citizenship. Employees may also be asked to produce an identity card or passport, proving that they are legally allowed to reside in the US. Finally, employers will ask for a driver’s license. This document represents the official recognition of their compliance with state laws and traffic safety and is critical to their ability to travel within the US.
If any one of these documents is lacking, a prospective employee will be rejected from his job. This means that illegal immigrants cannot enter lawful employment if they do not possess proper identification. They may also have trouble acquiring other legal privileges: Many states require identification to register a car, for example. Without a tag, a person cannot apply for public housing or admission into a university. People may even be denied the right to vote due to a lack of documentation.
What you can do if your application is rejected
To resolve this problem, immigration lawyers will often suggest that their clients obtain SSNs before they enter the US or apply for legal residency – this makes it easier for them to be granted legal employment and aid in their assimilation into American society. Immigration law is simple if immigrants need to demonstrate that they have a job that pays enough to sustain themselves.
In the US, several employment sectors suffer a severe labor shortage, which has led businesses to comply with federal government regulations that favor hiring foreign employees. They want these individuals to fill critical job positions because they have the training and experience required. However, it is difficult for potential applicants to obtain US work permits.
Why immigrants should always consult an immigration lawyer before applying for a visa or green card
An immigration lawyer can help immigrants avoid mistakes that will end in their deportation. If people choose to handle the application process independently, they may accidentally overlook something that could permanently bar them from re-entering America if they ever leave. For example, even one DUI conviction can result in an immigrant losing their legal status and being unable to return to the United States for life; this is according to US law under section 212(a)(9)(B) of Immigration and Nationality Act (I, N &A). Meanwhile, an immigration attorney will know all about these types of requirements when helping people apply for a visa or green card.
They will ensure that the application is filed correctly since mistakes in applications are familiar to inexperienced applicants. If problems develop about taxes, job limitations, health concerns, and other criteria, finding a way to be granted permanent resident status may be challenging.
Immigration lawyers will assist people who face deportation by challenging their cases in court. Every year, tens of thousands of immigrants are forced out of the country and sent back to their native countries; others leave on their own accord if they find nothing can be done to help them stay legally in America.
In order to be approved, applicants must prove that they would face persecution back home because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion
Immigration lawyers report a recent increase in denials of asylum claims by Chinese immigrants, some of whom have waited years to win permission to enter the United States. These applications are often complex and costly because Chinese applicants lack money, legal documents, and English skills. They are also more likely than other immigrants to be denied a fair chance at staying in the United States, according to several independent immigration lawyers who reviewed cases for this article and spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retribution against their clients from government officials or clients’ families.
Sometimes, these lawyers said, applicants were rejected on minor technicalities. Other times they were denied because of disputes over the credibility of their assertions. This judgment rests largely with government officials who are not required to give detailed reasons for rejecting claims. For more information, you may ask or consult with immigration lawyers in Houston.
