Tag Archives: US visa lawyer San Diego

Three Immigration Benefits for Same Sex Couples

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The landmark decision of the US Supreme Court to scrap the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and allow same sex marriage in the entire country has repercussions even to the seemingly irrelevant domain of immigration.  If you are a person married to another person with the same sex as you, this article will shed light on what new rights you can enjoy in relation to immigration.

Know Your Rights

You should talk to your immigration lawyer about your rights as an immigrant if you are married to a person of the same sex so that the legal parts can be better explained to you.  Here are some new rights for same sex couples born after the Landmark decision.

  1. The ability to sponsor step children.

When DOMA was still a law, a member of the LGBT community will not be able to sponsor the children of his or her same sex spouse into the US. That is because DOMA prevents their marriage from being recognized by the law.  Because of that same sex couples are not allowed to enjoy the sponsorship benefits, which other heterosexual marriages enjoy.  The landmark decision to kick DOMA out now gives  same sex couples the same benefits and are now able to  sponsor the children of their spouses into the US.   If you need more information about this, you should talk to an immigration attorney.

  1. Protecting domestic violence survivors from deportation.

Unfortunately, even same sex marriage is not immune to domestic violence.  But what makes it worse for an immigrant same-sex spouse is the fact that because of DOMA , they could not do what heterosexual victims do, which is to self-petition for permanent residency in the US. That is because DOMA prevents him or her from being recognized as legally married.  When the Supreme Court decided to strike down DOMA, any same-sex immigrant spouse now can enjoy the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts and are now able to self-petition to void deportation if they leave their abusive partners.

  1. Admission of same sex fiancées and their children to US.

Before DOMA was buried to the grave, only heterosexual couples can take advantage of the K visa, which allows fiancés of US citizens along with their children to enter the US and stay there as long as the fiancé marries the petitioner within 90 days.  Thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap DOMA, even same-sex fiancés can now access this right. Now same sex families can be together and be given the respect and dignity they deserve as a real family in the US.

Consult an Immigration Lawyer

If any of these new rights is applicable to you and you want to take advantage of these, you should contact a reliable immigration attorney to help you.  These lawyers are experts in the fields of immigration so they know the twists and turns of the law.  Not only will immigration attorneys explain to you these new immigration rights, they can also help you with your application.  If you are in San Diego, you can contact the lawyers of San Diego Immigration Law Center.

Five Ways to Avoid Being a Victim to US Visa Scammers

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Everybody wants to have the experience to live, visit, travel, study, and work in the US in any capacity. After all, it is the melting pot of every kind of culture and it can provide a variety of professional experience. However, the wealth of opportunity is also a two-edged sword as many people are also taking advantage of people who want nothing more than fulfill their dreams of a great life in the US.

Protecting Yourself from Scammers

If you are interested in going to US, you can protect yourself for US visa scammers by being extra vigilant. Here are some ways to prevent your travel plans from being sabotaged by unscrupulous persons:

  1. Follow the paper work requirements.

These illegal workers also thrive due to some people who choose to do shortcuts instead of following the protocol set by the country they are applying to. It is in some ways also about supply and demand – the more clients there are, the more they thrive. However, this has to stop. Faking documents have serious repercussions to the chances of the person entering the US and traveling anywhere in the long run.

Don’t be part of an underground economy that thrives in forgery. Immigration attorneys would advise you to follow the rules and provide the proper documents. This not only enable the person to travel but also enjoy the benefits of travelling like being able to apply for scholarships, look for jobs, get real estate, apply for credit cards, and eventually, set up a more permanent life in the US as a resident.

  1. Beware of questionable agencies that offer quick entry to the US.

Beware of questionable businesses that might ask you for exorbitant fees to file your application. Claims that these agencies process applications faster than going directly to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are false according to the USCIS website.

  1. Watch out for fraudulent or unreliable websites.

Allison Doyle writes on About.com that all US government website URLs end with a “.gov” suffix. These are the only websites that can offer you complete, accurate, and updated information on how to apply for a visa to the US. On the same note, emails coming from the government also end with a “.gov” suffix.  Look for this before responding to any emails regarding your US visa application.

Also, beware of emails or phone calls asking for your personal information. Deceitful people can quickly steal your identity and use them for their personal gain.

  1. Don’t pay for government forms.

Any person or agency asking you to pay for government forms is a scammer. All government forms are given without fees.

  1. Ignore fake emails about visa lottery.

USCIS also warns against websites and emails that advertise DV lottery, visa lottery, and green card lottery. Any website that claims they can make it easier for you to enter the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is a scam.

Increasing Your Likelihood of Getting a US Visa

Follow the tips above to avoid becoming a victim to US visa scammers. To increase your chance of getting a US visa, the best persons to consult are the immigration attorneys who can give you professional advice, especially if there are complications that can affect your application.