Arizona Immigration Law

A Brief Overview Of Immigration Law

Although there are immigration lawyers who practice immigration law in Arizona, and every other state, immigration law itself is uniquely federal in nature.  The immigration laws passed by the federal government determine whether an individual is an alien, what rights, duties, and obligations aliens present in the United States have, and how aliens can gain residence or citizenship in the United States. Immigration laws also govern the mechanisms by which aliens can become naturalized citizens.

In a nutshell, the immigration laws of the United States determine who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave.

The United States Congress has complete authority over immigration, with individual States afforded extremely limited legislative authority regarding immigration.  By controlling the visa process, the federal government works to implement its immigration policies. There are two types of visas, immigrant and non-immigrant. Non-immigrant visas are typically granted to tourists, temporary workers, and short-term business visitors.  Some non-immigrant visas allow their holders to work in the United States, and most of these are only available to a limited number of individuals each year. Immigrant visas permit their holders to stay and work in the United States permanently, and eventually apply for citizenship. Congress limits the total quantity of immigrant visas as well as imposing per-county caps on the number of immigrant visas issued each year.

Regardless of your situation, an experienced Arizona immigration lawyer can help design the immigration solution to best serve you.

What is a "Green Card"?

The green card, more formally called the Alien Registration Receipt Card is obtained by an immigrant seeking permanent residency in the United States upon the approval of an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. A green card can be obtained via sponsorship by a family member, labor certification through a U.S. employer, the "Green Card Lottery" or Diversity Visa, a National Interest Waiver, or some other special categories typically reserved for immigrants with extraordinary abilities.  If you, your family member or employer is interested in obtaining permanent residency in the United States, don't hesitate to contact an experienced Arizona immigration attorney to discuss the options available to you.