There are three reasons to start your permanent residence "green card" process now to guarantee your future in the United States:

1. Limited Availability: There's a limited number of employment based immigrant visas (green cards) issued each year because of the heavy demand. Some people wait for years! Processing time depends on the date you applied. So the longer you wait, the longer it will take to get your green card. This summer, the waiting list got even longer for everyone who wants a green card through employment sponsorship! The list fluctuates so acting now will start the process sooner and could cut years of waiting for your green card.

2. Slower Job Market: One way to get a green card is through PERM labor certification. But the employer must prove that qualified U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not available for your job. So if a qualified U.S. citizen applies for your job, you miss out on your green card! But the holiday season is very slow for recruitment so starting now will increase your chances of securing your green card. .

3. Save Money in Attorney Fees and Government Fees:
To keep pace with the economy, we are increasing our fees for the coming year. Start your process before December 15 and lock in our current fees. You should also know that the government may raise its fees in the coming year as well.

To get started - just call 888-849-9104 x 207 or email fkilgore@badmuslaw.com to consult with one of our qualified attorneys.

Badmus Immigration Law Firm is pleased to announce our new team members. Joining us are attorney Michelle Richart, paralegals Jennifer Green, LaToya Craft, and Shakinia Mackey, legal secretary Francene Kilgore, and administrative assistant, Nancy Pena.

All of us welcome the opportunity to serve you.

The spouse and children of a U.S. citizen may be admitted to the United States as K-3 and K-4 nonimmigrants in order to complete their process for legal permanent resident (LPR) status. One of the principal benefits of K-3 and K-4 visas is that immediate families will be unified several months faster than if they were pursuing a typical immediate relative immigrant petition.

To be eligible for a K-3 nonimmigrant visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
1. Be the spouse of a U.S. citizen;
2. Have a pending relative petition, and file Form I-130 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
3. Intend to enter the U.S. to await completion of the LPR process; and
4. Have an approved Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e).

This form is forwarded by USCIS to the U.S. consulate where the spouse will apply for the visa. The consulate specified on the Form I-129F must be either:
* The consulate in the country where the marriage took place, if the marriage occurred outside the U.S.; or
* The consulate with jurisdiction over the current residence of the alien spouse, if the marriage occurred in the U.S.

For a consultation about a family based immigration case, email or call our Client Services Manager, Dawn Mace, at dawnmace@badmuslaw.com or 888-849- 9104 x 201

Green card holders in this country receive most of the rights of U.S. citizens, and in the day-to-day life of permanent residents there are not too many differences than with their citizen counterparts. So why bother with obtaining citizenship? Here are six reasons that stand out:

1. Patriotism and voting: If you are making the United States your permanent home and want to fully participate in American democracy, becoming a citizen is vital. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections.

2. Retaining residency: The only way to guarantee you will always have the right to remain in the U.S. is to naturalize. Permanent residents are always at risk of losing their green cards for spending too much time outside the U.S.

3. Deportation: If one is ever convicted of a crime, and not necessarily a very serious crime, there is a risk of being deported. After becoming a citizen, with rare exceptions, you retain your citizenship even if you run into criminal problems.

4. Government benefits: Some permanent residents cannot receive the same public benefits as citizens. There has been increasing talk of making more public benefits available only to citizens. The only way to ensure that this will not be a problem is to naturalize.

5. Immigration for family members: U.S. citizens generally receive priority treatment to bring in family members. In many cases, citizens can sponsor family members without waiting on a queue for a visa to become available. Green card holders cannot sponsor parents or siblings, and the wait to bring in children and spouses is much longer than that for citizens.

6. Tax consequences: U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not always treated the same for tax purposes. This is particularly true for estate taxes.

If you are planning to become a citizen, contact us!

Did you know?....Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
All of us at Badmus Immigration Law Firm wish you a safe and fun labor day weekend and holiday!

email: annbadmus@badmuslaw.com

phone: 469-916-7900

web: http://www.badmuslaw.com