Newsletters

Visa Types - Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse And Child - V-1, V-2, V-3

In addition to eligibility for a permanent visa under the family second preference, the alien spouse and children of a permanent U.S. resident are eligible for nonimmigrant visas, designated V-1, V-2, and V-3 visas. The V series is designed to allow qualifying aliens to wait in the U.S. for their permanent immigrant visas to be issued. Aliens applying for V visas must have petitions for immigrant visas pending.

Alien Rights to Health Care

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) affected the eligibility of aliens for United States federal public benefits, including health care benefits and eligibility for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Title IV of PRWORA noted the compelling government interest in removing incentives for illegal immigration, one of which was public benefits.

Legal Immigration Family Equity Act

The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) of 2000 was a grouping of temporary provisions impacting U.S. immigration law.

Controlling Alien Admission - Border Control/Admission - CIS Ombudsman - Overview

In 2002, the United States Congress created the office of Ombudsman within the Department of Homeland Security. Appointed in mid-2003, the Ombudsman recently released his first annual report, which details the nature of his function within government and sets forth his first-year accomplishments.

Immigrants - Diversity Visa Program

Every year, the United States Department of State (DOS) holds a lottery in which random selection is used to provide immigrant visas to people who are natives of certain countries or whose parent was born in one of those countries. Immigrants selected in the diversity lottery are given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the U.S.