Learning About Immigration Law: How You Can Educate Yourself

Whether you’ve been living within the U.S. with a green card for five years or looking to move over for the first time, it’s important to have as much information as possible before departing. For example, you can emigrate to the country via family or work, if you can offer skills.

No matter the reason, you should educate yourself on immigration policy, at least the basics, to put yourself in the best position you can.

Know Your Rights

Even as a legal immigrant, there are sometimes issues with keeping your legal status intact. Mostly, you’ll be completely protected if you’ve completed the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. But if you’re here on a green card, then your rights slightly differ.

You still should know your rights, in order to be as completely protected and knowledgeable as possible if questioned. If being approached regarding your immigration status, it’s important to be as honest as you can. Even if you believe your rights are being violated, you should cooperate to put yourself in the best light when it comes to an appeal.

Ensure you have your papers on hand in some regard, either as a copy, or digital to show any immigration officers your status if challenged. If the worst happens, and you are arrested, you will have the right to a lawyer, and should ask for one straight away.

Educational Tools

Aside from knowing the basics, you can educate yourself via online tools. There are internet guides written by lawyers available from resource sites, or you can visit government state websites yourself to read about specific laws that are of interest and relation to you.

There are classes available via night schools that offer you the chance to learn more about the law in regards to immigration. These are useful for those that think they already know about the law, but as there are changes made yearly, it’s worth freshening your knowledge.

Alternatively, you can listen to online podcasts that have members of law firms talk about the important issues within immigration. One incredibly useful source of information that you should listen to, is with Farmer Law PC. They have an immigration podcast with a variety of episodes, from talking about the impact of COVID-19, to details about the H-2A Program.

The Basics Explained

When it comes to immigration law, there are a few different variations, depending on your circumstances and what you’re looking for. There are six basic immigration law variances, they are; green cards, becoming a U.S. citizen, crossing the border, working in the U.S., visiting the U.S. and helping a family member get legal status.

You can read more about how the law works in regards to each one, and what you can do to get legal residency. Immigration law can cover a whole range of situations involving you or family from foreign countries. Depending on the nature of coming to the U.S. and time length, there will be different requirements.