Best Immigration Lawyers Los Angeles, CA Of 2024
Immigrants form the backbone of Los Angeles County, comprising about a third of the population—roughly 3.2 million people. This diverse community shapes the cultural, social and economic tapestry of the region. If you or your family is looking to immigrate to California or need another immigration a The article discusses the rights and responsibilities of immigrants living in Los Angeles, California. Immigrants are most likely to be covered by immigration laws, including those born or naturalized in the United States or its territories, and those granted protection due to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. Nonimmigrant visa holders, as well as those granted temporary protection from persecution, are non-immigrant immigrants. However, certain groups excluded from entering or remaining in the U.S. due to criminal records or other inadmissible factors, such as individuals with removal orders or a history of deportation. Employers cannot fire, harass or mistreat individuals due to their immigration status, nor can employers inquire about their citizenship unless mandated by federal immigration law. The article also discusses the importance of seeking legal assistance to ensure compliance with immigration law and how to find the best attorney for your case.
게시됨 : 12개월 전 ~에 의해 Jeffrey Johnson, reviewed_by, J.D., Sherin Mamachen ~에 Environment
In the following sections, we cover the rights and responsibilities of immigrants who live in Los Angeles. We provide an overview of the main visas available and the process for filing them. We also explain the importance of seeking legal assistance to ensure compliance with immigration law and how to find the best attorney for your case.
Who Is Covered By Immigration Laws in Los Angeles, CA?
Immigration laws apply to most individuals living in Los Angeles, including:
• U.S. citizens. Those born or naturalized in the United States or its territories.
• Lawful permanent residents. Green card holders who are allowed to live and work permanently in the U.S.
• Nonimmigrant visa holders. Individuals temporarily residing in the U.S. for work, study, travel or other purposes.
• Asylum seekers and refugees. Individuals granted protection due to the risk of persecution based on race, religion, nationality or political opinion.
• Undocumented immigrants. Individuals who entered the U.S. without authorization or overstayed their visas.
• DACA recipients. Undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children are eligible under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
• Temporary protected status (TPS) holders. Under the TPS program, individuals from countries with unsafe conditions, such as natural disasters or civil unrest, are allowed to live and work in the U.S.
Certain groups are excluded from entering or remaining in the U.S., including:
• Individuals with criminal records or other inadmissible factors. Those deemed a security risk, public health threat or who otherwise fall under the grounds of inadmissibility.
• Individuals with removal orders. Those with unresolved removal orders or a history of deportation may also be excluded.
California is known for its protective and progressive stance toward immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Below, we cover the fundamental rights and responsibilities the state enforces to protect and empower its immigrant residents.
• Employment. Employers can’t fire, harass or mistreat you due to your immigration or citizenship status, nationality, ethnicity or other similar characteristics. If you’re being harassed or discriminated against at work for your accent, race or other reason and want to file a complaint, your employer cannot threaten to report you to immigration authorities as retaliation. Additionally, your employer is prohibited from inquiring about your immigration status unless mandated by federal immigration law. It is also illegal for most employers in California to require U.S. citizenship as an eligibility parameter for applicants.
• Business. Entities such as restaurants, banks or hospitals can’t deny you service citing your ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, primary language, immigrant status or citizenship. Denying to serve you for these reasons is illegal and could entitle you to receive at least $4,000 in damages.
• Housing. Landlords and other housing providers in California are barred from inquiring about your immigration status unless you’re applying for federally funded affordable housing. It’s illegal for a housing provider to evict or deny you an apartment, charge higher rent or deny repairs based on your race, language, immigration status or citizenship—except in public or affordable housing situations. Housing providers are also prohibited from harassing or intimidating you by threatening to share information about your immigration status with ICE or another government agency.
• Bias-motivated violence. Any violence or threats of violence against you, your family or your property are unlawful, especially if motivated by your race, ethnicity, place of origin, citizenship or immigration status.
• State-funded programs. While some programs and services may not be available to all immigrants, none can discriminate against applicants or beneficiaries based on race, religion, ethnicity, immigration or citizenship status.
• Human trafficking. California protects everyone from human trafficking—forced labor or commercial sex—regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
• Driver’s license. California permits all immigrants, including undocumented residents, to apply for a driver’s license, provided they can furnish proof of identity and California residency.
• Access to education. California provides all immigrants, including undocumented students, with access to public education regardless of their primary language or immigration status. If eligible, you also have access to state financial aid, scholarships and educational loans.
• Health care. California’s Medi-Cal program, the state’s health insurance program for low-income individuals, is available to all eligible immigrants, regardless of immigration status.
California has introduced several laws designed to enhance the lives of immigrants. Below is an overview of key legislation affecting immigrants in the state:
• California Values Act (SB 54). This law mandates that state and local resources cannot be used to assist federal immigration authorities in detaining, detecting, deporting or arresting individuals for immigration-related issues. Schools, hospitals and courts remain accessible to all residents, regardless of their immigration status.
• AB60 – Driver’s License Law. California residents who cannot provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. but meet California DMV requirements and can prove their identity and state residency can apply for a driver’s license.
• Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450). This law shields workers from workplace immigration raids. Immigration enforcement agents cannot enter a workplace without a judicial warrant or access employee records without a subpoena. It also prevents employers from re-verifying an employee’s immigration status unless mandated by federal law.
• AB 540. Students, including undocumented students, who have attended high school in California for at least three years or obtained a GED can pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
• AB 622. E-Verify is an online system run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that checks an employee’s work authorization status by comparing their Form I-9 information with government records. AB 622 prohibits private employers from using E-Verify to confirm the status of current employees or job applicants unless they are federal contractors or subcontractors required to use it by federal law.
The United States provides a range of immigrant visas for individuals aiming to become permanent residents. Here is a list of some common categories:
Immigrant visa for the spouse of a U.S. Citizen. IR1 is an Immediate Relative visa that is valid for 10 years. It is for spouses who have been married to a U.S. citizen for over two years. CR1 is a conditional resident visa, meant for those who have been married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years. This is for a foreign-citizen individual who is married to a U.S. citizen. It’s intended to shorten the physical separation between the couple by allowing the immigrant to obtain a K-3 visa and enter the U.S. to await approval of the immigrant visa petition. This is for a foreign-citizen fiancé of a U.S. citizen. It allows the fiancé to travel to the U.S. and marry within 90 days of arrival. This group of visas is intended for U.S. citizens seeking inter-country adoption of an orphan. These family-based visas allow certain foreign nationals to become permanent residents in the U.S.:
• IR2 or CR2: For unmarried biological children, step-children or adopted children of U.S. citizens under 21
• IR5: For parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old
• F1: For unmarried children of U.S. citizens and their minor children
• F3: For married children of U.S. citizens, along with their spouses and minor children
• F4: For siblings of adult U.S. citizens, including their spouses and minor children This group of visas is intended for family members of lawful permanent residents:
• F2A: For spouses or minor children of lawful permanent residents in the U.S.
• F2B: For adult, unmarried children of eligible U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
There are many more types of visas available that are not mentioned above. An attorney can help you decide which visa matches your needs and situation and whether you can apply for it.
The visa application process begins with petitioning the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This typically involves filing Form I-130 for family-based immigration while employers submit petitions for employment-based visas.
Once the petition is approved by USCIS, it’s forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing. The NVC then creates your case and sends a welcome letter via email or postal mail with instructions on how to log into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Through the CEAC, you can track the application’s progress, upload necessary documents and receive important updates.
After submitting the necessary fees, forms and supporting documents to the NVC, the case is reviewed to ensure that all required documentation has been provided. Once the case is complete, the NVC schedules an immigrant visa interview at the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate.
On the interview day, you, your spouse and any other eligible family members applying for immigration must attend.
Make sure to bring both original and certified civil documents, including the appointment letter from the NVC, valid passports for each applicant, photographs, the DS-260 confirmation page and supporting documents like birth or marriage certificates, adoption records, and any required court or prison records. Any documents not written in English must have certified translations with a signed translator’s statement. You should also bring visa fee for each applicant.
After the interview, if the visa is approved, the passport and visa will be returned, with the visa affixed to a page in your passport. Verify that all printed information is accurate and free of spelling or biographical errors. The consular officer will provide reasons for ineligibility if the visa is denied.
주제: Social Issues, Immigration, Social-ESG, Environment-ESG