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Top 10 US Immigration Scams

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As of right now, there are millions of illegal immigrants living in the United States. Many San Diego immigration lawyers have worked closely with immigrants and discovered several frauds and scams in their documentation, in an attempt to get their status legalized. Here’s a look at the top ten immigration scams that take place in the US (and the ones you need to watch out for). 1. P-Visas. Every year, hundreds and thousands of musicians and entertainers tour and perform in the United States. They come to the country on P-visas. However, many foreign entertainers accept bribes to add and bring some non-entertainers, as part of their crew, to the US. These non-entertainers are individuals seeking immigration. 2. C-1 Transits. This is another common immigration scam. Many people secure low-paid jobs on board ships and vessels that frequently dock on US ports. These workers are issued with a C-1 transit visa that allows them to spend 30 days on land- which is enough for them t...
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When Do You Need An Immigration Attorney?

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There is no legal/statutory obligation to appoint an attorney when you apply for a green card or an immigrant visa in the US. If your case is fairly straightforward and has no record of getting into trouble with the law or immigration authorities, you can get a residence status/green card on your own. However, there are several instances when you need a lawyer’s help. If you’re a recent international immigrant in the Bay Area, here are a few instances where experienced and professional  Kazmi & Sakata Attorneys at Law  can prove useful: Litigation If you are facing or have ever faced any immigration court deportation (or removal) proceedings, you may need a legal opinion. In such circumstances, the decision on your immigration status lies with the courts. During this time, you may not be allowed to use the same application procedures as other immigrants use. An attorney can advise you on the outcome of the court decision and help you prepare the best possible alter...
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3 Ways to Get a Marriage Based Green Card Without an Interview in the US

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If you are trying to get a green card based on your marriage to a United States citizen, you may worry that you still need to do an interview. After all, the interview is traditionally a huge part of the process of obtaining a green card. However, there are three ways you can obtain a marriage-based green card without having to be interviewed. The purpose of the green card interview is for the USCIS to ensure that your marriage is legitimate and you are not simply trying to gain US citizenship alone. During the process, a USCIS officer meets with the green card applicant to ask questions and assess the individual’s body language to determine whether they are being truthful. Most of the questions pertain to information submitted on Form I-130 or Form I-485. Additionally, the interview is conducted to verify that the information is timely. In many cases, there can be delays in the processing of a green card, meaning that by the time the interview takes place, information on the ap...
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Why an Immigration Lawyer is Important for You

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In today’s world, where everything is available online, you might wonder why you should bother spending money on hiring an immigration lawyer. After all, you have access to all of the instructions and forms, not to mention research, right at your fingertips on the Internet. However, the topic of immigration is never a simple one. There is a lot to consider, such as visas, filing all of your paperwork in a timely manner, what additional paperwork might be needed and so much more. Doing all of that yourself can be confusing, frustrating and extremely time-consuming.  Kazmi & Sakata Attorneys at Law  share  several reasons why you need an immigration lawyer on your side. Better Efficiency and Reduces Your Risk An immigration lawyer knows exactly how the laws work. He or she can help you to put your application together in an efficient manner and ensure that you include everything necessary for it. This can take four to eight weeks of time for processing. It also ...
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4 Types of Work Visas and Eligibility Requirements

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Understanding U.S. Work Visas and Their Eligibility Requirements For many people all around the world, being able to live and work in the United States is one of their biggest dreams. As you'd expect, actually being able to do this first requires that you obtain a valid work visa, but luckily, there are a number of ways you can go about this depending on your profession and the type of work you're looking for. Still, American immigration laws can be quite tricky to understand, which is why we'll now present you with four of the most common types of U.S. work visas and what the requirements are to apply for them. Visa for Skilled Workers One of the more common types of visa for foreign workers in the United States, the H1-B visa is given to eligible foreign nationals with a valid job offer from an American company. Although this sounds easy, it's not always so simple, as you must be a skilled worker employed in a specialized field. There are some fields where th...
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10 FAQs about Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Visa Holders

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This information is shared by the Kazmi & Sakata Attorneys at Law 1. What evidence do I need to prove my eligibility for employment authorization? You should provide evidence of your H-4 status, a government-issued photo ID, a marriage certificate or other evidence of your spousal relationship, and evidence of your spouse's H-1B nonimmigrant status. If you are applying based on your spouse's H-1B status under AC21, you should provide evidence that your spouse is a Permanent Labor Certification beneficiary. 2. Do I have to be in the U.S. to apply for employment authorization? Yes. To apply for employment authorization, you must be in H-4 status, which means you must be living in the United States. 3. Is this employment authorization a one-time opportunity? No. As long as you are eligible for employment authorization, you can renew the authorization and receive a new Employment Authorization Document. 4. Is my employment authorization time limited to the time...
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6 FAQs on L-1 Visa

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The L-1 visa is a popular nonimmigrant visa for employers to recruit skilled foreign workers. As with most US visa programs, there is a great deal of confusion about how L-1 visas work and when they are appropriate.  Kazmi & Sakata Attorneys at Law   share six common questions about L-1 visas for employers and workers. Q1. How is the L-1 visa different than the H1B visa? The L-1 and H1B visas are both nonimmigrant visas highly sought after by employers who want to recruit talent overseas. Unlike the L-1 visa, H1B recipients must have specialized knowledge in their field with at least a bachelor's degree. The L-1 visa does not have an education requirement. Only a multinational company can qualify for L-1 visas whereas any US-based company qualifies for an H1B visa. Another significant difference is the maximum duration of stay: six years with an H1B visa and up to 7 years with an L-1 visa. Q2. Can a spouse work in the U.S. with an L-1 visa? One of many benefits o...
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