You can change your life by immigrating to the U.S. It can lead to a better job. It can lead to a better education. It can lead to your children being born here and becoming. There are more long term benefits. This blog guide will highlight them.

Better Jobs
Earning a better jobs is the #1 reason most immigrants come to the U.S., especially from Mexico and other Latin countries. The jobs are simply better. Wages are better. Work life is better. Benefits are better. You have a chance to move up the ladder, often without prejudice against race or gender. Not all countries have these advantages.

Better Education
While the schools in the U.S. have not been the best in the world, the shear number of quality schools from elementary through secondary school gives many long term benefits for families. Some of the best teachers in the world are in the U.S. Compared to most countries, the U.S. has far more quality colleges and universities. There are programs for people from low income families to get support to pay for a college education. There is a reason immigrants come from worldwide to study in U.S. schools.

Better Way of Life
While crime is a problem in the U.S., there are drugs, violence, and gangs, the way of life is still much better than other countries. There has not been a war on U.S. soil in hundreds of years. We live in a democracy, something not all countries have. There are police officers. There are elected politicians. Simply put, you can live a safer and more productive life.

Right to Vote
As noted, the U.S. has a democracy. And because of that, all citizens have the right to vote. If you immigrate here, and become a permanent resident, you do not get the right to vote. But if you stay long enough, follow all laws, and fill out the proper forms, you can become a U.S. citizen. If you are born here, you are automatically a U.S. citizen, so if you have children born here, they will be citizens. If you have a spouse who is a citizen, the process is also faster.

Right to Benefits
Working grants you the right to have benefits. Working makes you pay taxes. Paying taxes means you have the right to certain benefits, namely social security benefits for when you retire. This means a regular monthly stipend and medical help. While you won’t be rich with these benefits, for many hard working immigrants they are a life saver.

Better Life for Children
Your children can have a better life. They can become U.S. citizens. They can grow up with good schools. They can get educated in college. They can help your family transition into the United States. We are a nation of immigrants. If you are curious on how to get this process started, it’s time to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.

We all make mistakes, but some are bigger than others. In immigration, mistakes are quite common because of how complex immigration law is. No matter how straightforward your green card application is, or how many years you have followed laws in the U.S. and maintained your status, sometimes mistakes happen. They may not even be your fault, but often something does occur which delays the process if not leading to a refusal. This blog guide will go over several common immigration mistakes you need not make.

Not Hiring An Immigration Lawyer
Yes, some try to get a visa, green card, or citizenship without having an immigration lawyer to help. An immigration lawyer saves you time, money, and legal problems. Your lawyer can help you through every step of this process, answering your questions and resolving problems. Perhaps the most important part is simply filling out applications correctly, which can be complicated.

Staying Here Permanently
Overstaying your welcome is another common immigration mistake. It happens all the time. Of the 40 million or so immigrants here, only 10 million are here illegally, and the great majority of these in fact have overstayed their welcome. You might get a green card, which gives you 10 years in the U.S.,  never renew your card, and never apply for citizenship. You are then here illegally and can be deported. Don’t make this mistake, and if you need help in applying, consult with a lawyer.

Breaking the Law
If you break the law, you can also be deported. Sometimes even seemingly minor problems like getting a DUI can lead to deportation. You may not even be able to ever visit the U.S. again and can spend time in jail.

Entering Illegally
Illegal immigration is obviously a major problem for the U.S. There are millions of illegals in the country already and many more come every year. This occurs for various reasons, namely the better way of life the U.S. has than certain countries. However, you can immediately be deported, be denied entry for 5-10 years, and may even spend some time in jail.

Showing Hostility to America
If you show any kind of hate or hostility toward the U.S., you can be barred entry. If you are in the U.S., you can be deported. If you are suspected of being a terrorist, you can be arrested. The point is not to show this kind of attitude to U.S. officials, who will keep out hostiles.

Lying on Applications
When in doubt, consult with your lawyer. We are not saying you should lie, but you need not give away discriminating information if possible. You should avoid lying about anything on your application. If you lie about certain activities, such as being a former drug user or seller, you may run into problems. If you had problems in the past, try to explain them, and are honest, you have a much better chance.

Giving Too Much Information
When you are arrested for a crime in the U.S., you are told you have the right to remain silent. One common mistake immigrants make is simply giving away far too much information. Only answer what is asked; do not volunteer information. If you are questioned, that is another story. But you may be nervous, simply say too much, and run into trouble.

If you are going to live in the U.S. for a longer period, how can you take advantage of this opportunity? There are many ways. This blog guide explores your options as a new resident of the United States.

You Can Live Here Longer
One definite option you want to take advantage of is the fact you can stay for at least 10 years once you get a green card. You might be able to find a good job in this time. You might start a family. You might get an education. You can also consider becoming a U.S. citizen. And there is no reason you can’t apply for an extension once your green card has run out.

Study At a School
If you get a green card, you are considered a permanent resident of the U.S. Because of this, you are going to pay less tuition at colleges than most foreign nationals. You might save as much as 80% of your tuition costs simply because you have a green card. With your education, you can learn a trade. It’s historically been true that the better the education you get, the better job opportunities you will have. If you have children, you can send them to better colleges and give them opportunities too. The point is that you stand a much better chance with a college education. And because you can save more money and often live on campus, you can have a better college experience.

Get a Better Job
You can try different careers if you get an education, thought it’s not a requirement. You might learn on the job instead. In any case, you stand to get paid much better and have more opportunities for advancement with a green card. If you earn citizenship, you can even land federal jobs where pay is competitive. Though the economy in the U.S. is tough right now, there are still many skilled jobs available, and many pay more than in other countries.

Start a Business
There is no reason you can’t venture out into your own business once you get a green card. You might save up some money after school by working some jobs. You can start your own business; there is no law against it. This can in many ways lead you to the American dream.

Retire
Finally, you might decide to retire in the U.S., in a place safe from war and political strife, with a stable economy and many opportunities for retirement packages after working a job. Retirement in the U.S. is very possible with a green card.

The next logical step after a green card is to earn your citizenship. By becoming a U.S. citizen, you gain the most rights, such as voting and being eligible for certain benefits, and never having to reapply for a visa.

Dreams do happen, and often they involve a change of scenery. You might get a better education in the U.S., with that education get a better job, use that job to help raise your family, and live the dream many in other countries simply do not have. True, the United States is not paradise, but why do so many try immigrating here every year, even illegally? You and your family simply have more options. One option you should consider when deciding to immigrate is that of a legal help for immigrating. If you want the dream, you should hire an experienced immigration lawyer.

There are literally thousands of lawyers ready and capable to help you get started immigrating, though some will be more experienced than others. You want a lawyer who specializes in immigration law, and not an immigration consultant.

Why not hire an immigration “consultant”? Well, they rarely have a legal degree, often break laws, and often steal your money. You will see ads for consultants if you look online, or you may be referred to someone, if not find one by looking locally for legal help. The right kind of legal help comes from an experienced lawyer, someone with a legal degree.

Where do you look for experienced lawyers? It depends on where you are. Say you live in Mexico, have access to the internet, and want to immigrate to the U.S.  You can likely find an experienced immigration lawyer by looking online. They might have a site or blog like this one. They might have all their experience posted. And often they’ll be willing to consult with you for free the first time.

How much will you pay? Typically legal fees for immigration are on the low end. It depends on who you hire, but you likely cannot afford tens of thousands of dollars. Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate with you on fees. This is not to say you should hire the cheapest lawyer available, nor should you the most expensive. Find someone who is willing to spend time with you, can communicate well with you, and who you are able to afford.

How long will this take? Immigration is not an overnight process, and there is a backlog in immigration applications. In some situations, you can cut down on the immigration time process, such as being sponsored for a green card by immediate family, or by using the Immigration Lottery. In the Immigration Lottery citizens of smaller countries who send less immigrants to the U.S. are offered options every year, on a limited basis, to become permanent residents.

If you’re unsure of how to get started, that’s okay. You should consult with a legal professional, or begin studying the official U.S. Immigration reference at USCIS.gov and decide on what you want.

If you’re unsure of the type of via you need, this blog guide can help. We’ll be going over how the nonimmigrant and immigrant visa, each allowing you to live and work in the U.S. The laws can be complex, so if you have any questions hire an experienced immigration lawyer. Even a few consultations can help you avoid major mistakes.

What is the nonimmigrant via?
If you are only coming temporarily to the U.S. – such as on a business visit, for family purposes,  as a tourist, or as a member of the media – you want a nonimmigrant visa. These are much easier to get. You will be allowed to travel in and out of the U.S. for a set time. You cannot just decide to stay. If you stay, you must get a U.S. immigrant visa, a green card.

U.S. Immigrant Visa
If you want to live permanently in the US., you need an immigrant visa. If you want to live here for the rest of your life, you would want to apply for naturalization, becoming a U.S. citizen. The immigrant visa has many benefits. You can live and work for 10 years time or more. You can have access to most all jobs. You can sponsor other family for green cards. You can study in U.S. schools. If you become a citizen, you will be allowed to vote, to work all jobs, to serve in all armed forces, and to apply for benefits if you suffer an injury. As you can see, an immigrant visa is the first step toward a dream of living permanently in the U.S.

Citizenship
You can also sponsor other family members for a green card when you become a citizen. Typically, the first step is to get a green card through a family member. Then you apply for citizenship. Upon naturalization, you can then sponsor other family members. If you marry, your spouse can also be sponsored for citizenship. If you have children born in the U.S., they get automatic citizenship.

Legal Help
Nonimmigrant visa, immigrant visa, green cards, citizenship – these all require some legal expertise. Therefore, consulting with an experienced immigration lawyer is essential. You should hire someone who specializes in U.S. immigration law, who is honest, and who you can afford. Paying a fee is more than worth it when you consider the many benefits of a green card and naturalization both for you and your family.

Why have a lottery involved in immigration? Well, for immigrants it’s a big benefit and helps when those wanting to immigrate to the United States. The problem is one of the green card process; as so many apply for green cards, you may have to wait your turn in order to be eligible. Sometimes you can come via other means, such as asylum or refuge status, though those are rare. More commonly immigrants are sponsored by immediate family, such as spouses who already are citizens or have a green card.

So how can the green card lottery help you? What is it exactly? Let’s find out.

What is it?
The green card lottery is a system designed to give more opportunities countries who do not send many immigrants to the U.S. According to the government, “Each year, 50,000 immigrant visas are made available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.” That means if you are from Mexico, for example, you would not be eligible for the lottery. But if you came from a smaller country or one where immigration to the U.S. is less common, you would be eligible.

How can you win?
The process can be somewhat complex, but here is what basically happens. The State Department holds the lottery every year, always getting a high number of applicants. 110,000 of these applicants are randomly chosen, and from that list 50,000 are given green cards. While 110,000 are singled out, many do not complete the process. If at the end of the year less than 50,000 immigrants have immigrated, the contest ends; or, if 50,000 is reached earlier than the end of the year, it’s then closed. That’s how it works.

But that doesn’t necessarily help you win. There is no trick to winning, and anyone who promises you an “in” to winning is likely either trying to steal your money or breaking laws. However, you should be aware if your country is eligible to apply, then apply if you are eligible, and you might know.

How do you apply?
The system is now based online, here. You may consider consulting with an experienced immigration lawyer if you are unsure of the process. It’s important to fill out the application in it’s entirety, and to do so online instead of sending it in. According to the main site just references, “ Millions of applications are rejected each year for failure to follow the directions.” If you fill it out incorrectly or not completely, you will be disqualified.

Who can help?
You can have someone help you fill out the application, such as a family member or a lawyer. There is no rule against that. If you submit, even accurately, it does not mean you will win. And simply being accepted also does not mean you’ll get the green card; remember that 110,000 are accepted, but only 50,000 are taken. If you fail to win the lottery, your chances of immigration are far from over. You can consult with an immigration lawyer on how best to become a permanent resident of the U.S. via other means.

If you’re an immigrant, the idea of a background check may be scary. You sometimes don’t know what will come up. If you have a criminal history, it does not mean you will be denied entry, meaning you’re denied the right to live and work here in the U.S. as a permanent resident. It does mean you should follow the tips in this blog guide, most importantly in hiring an immigration lawyer.

What is the background check?
When you move to just about any country, you will have to submit to an investigation of who you are, what you do, and what problems you may have had. If you have a criminal history, obviously that will show up on your background check. In the U.S. and in many other countries, the rise of terrorism has made the background check more important. If you have a minor criminal history, you will not always have problems. But, if you have a long history of drug violations and drug trafficking, that’s a red flag, especially to U.S. custom officials.

Who checks?
You will be checked first by the IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection Service) for your name, then FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) fingerprint and name check. If the FBI check throws up some red flags, your case may be reviewed by the USCIS.

The FBI Check typically only takes 1-2 days. You may be investigated if said red flags pop up. The USCIS will have final say on whether you can be permitted a green card in the event you have a criminal record. For example, you may have been arrested as an illegal immigrant before, this comes up on a background check, and you are denied entry. Or you may simply have a drug trafficking history, therefore being a danger to society, and denied entry.

Getting Legal Help
You may want to find out what a background check says about you. While there are many systems for doing this, you’ll be needing legal representation if you want to immigrate. Now, it’s important to know what’s on your background check not only because it may affect your entry but because there may be errors on your background. You may have had no charges at all, only to find a violation on your record. A lawyer can consult with you on correcting such errors. More importantly, a lawyer gives you a high chance of successful immigration to the U.S.

Unsure if you need a lawyer? Most offer free consultations to prospective clients. You can find many in online directories and on blogs like this one. While lawyers do charge you a fee, solving problems like incorrect background information, and filling out documents correctly can really help your immigration status.

If you’re interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, knowing how immigration laws work is important. Therefore, this guide will go over some common naturalization laws you should know. If you are insure of any of these steps, consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.

Citizenship Through Marriage
You can become a permanent resident of the United States (meaning you get a green card) by marrying a U.S. citizen. You then can become naturalized yourself, though instead of waiting the full five years, a little known fact is that you can in fact apply in three years. You will still have to pass tests and follow laws, but the process can be shorter.

Naturalization by Birth
Perhaps the easiest way to become a U.S. citizen is to be born in this country. Not all countries use this law, where simply being born on U.S. soil grants you citizenship, something which can never be taken away. This does not help those who were born elsewhere, but if you have children on U.S. soil, even as a permanent resident those children will then be considered U.S. citizens.

Green Card Leads to Naturalization
It takes 5 years after getting your green card to become a U.S. citizen. This is the most common way to get your green card. How do you get the green card in the first place? You can be sponsored by family or an employer. If immediate family sponsors you and they are U.S. citizens, the process only takes a few months.

Breaking Laws
U.S. citizens cannot be deported, but permanent residents can. There are three main types of crimes: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies, in that order of seriousness. It’s important to avoid breaking major laws because the worse the penalty and the greater the chance of jail time the more likely you will be deported. U.S. citizens have to follow laws too, but cannot be deported.

Protection of Citizenship
Citizenship, as just noted, grants you the right to live in the U.S. as long as you want, to leave whenever you want, and to never be deported for breaking criminal laws. You will still be punished for crimes, but you have protection from deportation.

Tests
In order be naturalized, immigrants need to take tests showing knowledge of  U.S. history and laws, an ability to read and write in English, and a willingness to swear an oath to this country.

You may think that immigration lawyers need only your money and a handshake in order to best help you. It does not work like that. Your lawyer, just as in a criminal law or personal injury case, needs your help in order to give help. This blog guide explains how you can best help them.

Hiring the Best Immigration Lawyer
First off, you need to find the right immigration lawyer. You should hire one who is an authority on your particular situation. If you’re applying for a green card, you might focus on ones who specializes in green card law. If you are considering citizenship after living in the U.S. for some time, you might get an experienced immigration lawyer who has helped clients with naturalization. You need not go for specialty, as an experienced lawyer can handle a variety of cases. You should, though, base your hiring on experience. You should also factor in price; it’s pointless if you can’t afford them.

Communicate Concerns
To help your lawyer, explain your fears. You may wonder if you have no chance of eligibility, or how a criminal charge against you will affect your status. There is nothing wrong with having concerns as long as you admit them and act.

Ask for Help
Sometimes asking anyone for help can be tough, but when it comes to a lawyer, you have to. You are asking for help in getting this process completely successfully. If you want further help, such as on sponsoring other immediate family for a green card, your lawyer can and should be able to help.

Be Honest
If you lie to your lawyer, it only hurts you. Many consider lying on immigration documents and to lawyers because of a fear of being rejected. This is understandable, but in order to truly help your lawyer help you, be completely honest. Anything you say will be kept confidential, and the problem may be a minor one. If you lie on documents and it’s found out, you can severely hurt your chances of ever getting a green card or earning naturalization.

Be Fair
Your lawyer is not able to solve all problems, work for free, and work miracles. Immigration law is quite complex, and has become more complicated in recent years. You cannot expect your lawyer to be able to solve any problem that comes, but he or she should be able to help. In order to pay for a professional service, you need to pay a professional rate, and that means basing your payment on experience and results. Finally, you may not have a strong claim to a green card or citizenship; a good lawyer may be able to help in many ways, but can’t always work a miracle.

Why do immigrants come to the United States illegally every year in such higher numbers? And how can we solve this problem?

There is no easy solution, but perhaps studying how the affects of economic hardship, joblessness, religious persecution, and freedom can give us a better understanding of why.

Labor Markets in Poor Countries
Well, we might as well go over the obvious. Most illegal immigrants coming to the United States are from Mexico. They are on the border. The problem is that with a population which has increased tenfold in a century, labor, especially cheap labor, is more in demands in the U.S. than Mexico. It’s the same thing in countries in South America. With such population growths, there are less jobs. And the jobs available pay much less than the average U.S. job. You have to understand even minimum wage can seem like a boon for someone used to living on a few dollars a day.

Poverty
Those who do live on a few dollars a day are often in cases of poverty, sometimes extreme poverty. Mexico is not a third world country, but it’s not a rich one either. The U.S. has more programs for helping the jobless, homeless, and penniless than most other countries. It comes down to wanting a better life for themselves and their family.

Family Life
Sometimes immigrants come here illegally not because of a job or a chance at freedom, but because some of their family are already here. It’s common for immigrants to cross borders in order to reunite with families. The problem is growing with each new illegal immigrant. However, once an immigrant earns his or her green card, he can sponsor immediate family to come here. It’s unfortunate sometimes they come illegally instead.

Persecution
One common reason for immigration in general across the centuries is persecution. Whether it was Christians coming to the Americas in the 18th or 19th centuries, or communists crossing the Berlin Wall, or Africans fleeing countries where persecution is occurring, the point is to find a better life. This is still a major part of illegal immigration..

Freedom
Freedom from persecution is still a relevant issue. Freedom to work, vote, and to speak are not as common as we might think. While money may be the driving reason for illegal immigration to the U.S., don’t discount freedom and liberty.

Immigrants come to the United States for a variety of reasons. We have to remember what’s now a cliche: most of us came here in some sense or another, whether as persecuted by our religions, enslaved, or to escape war. The problem with immigration may not be solved entirely, but by knowing more about it why it occurs we can gain a better understanding of how to stop it.