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¿Cuáles derechos tendré como residente permanente? ¿Como ciudadano?
La decisión de empezar el proceso largo y arduo de ajuste de estatus migratorio es una decisión que puede tener una variedad de justificaciones. A veces empieza con una persona indocumentada que quiere obtener el derecho de trabajar legalmente. A veces es una persona que ya tiene la residencia permanente, pero quiere obtener los derechos adicionales que vienen al final del proceso de naturalización. Cada persona no ciudadana en este país debería saber cuáles derechos – y responsabilidades – se pueden esperar si siguen en su camino de inmigración.
Los derechos y responsabilidades de los indocumentados
Aun cuando una persona no tiene documentación legal en este país, todavía tiene derecho a usar servicios básicos. Por ejemplo, puede mandar a sus hijos a la escuela, puede usar servicios médicos de emergencia, y tiene derecho a la representación legal si enfrenta procedimientos de deportación u otros problemas legales.
A veces las personas creen que inscribirse en el servicio selectivo militar es una obligación solo para los ciudadanos. Pero en verdad, cada hombre de entre 18 a 25 años que vive en los Estados Unidos tiene la obligación legal de inscribirse, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Esto incluye personas indocumentadas (enlace en inglés).
Is Chapter 7 bankruptcy an option for you?
Millions of Americans face the prospect of looming debt in their day-to-day lives. Not only does this cast a cloud over the family financial situation, but it can also affect a person's mood and activities – overwhelming debt can leave a person feeling hopeless.
But, for many, there is hope. They need to ask themselves: Is Chapter 7 bankruptcy an option?
Chapter 7 basics
There are some common misconceptions about bankruptcy in general, and Chapter 7 bankruptcy in particular. For some, the misconception is this: I file for bankruptcy, lose everything and the debt is discharged. That isn't always the case and, in fact, many people who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy get to keep many of their assets.
One of the basic concepts about bankruptcy to understand is that of exempt assets. These are assets that are not subject to the liquidation phase of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. However, each person's bankruptcy case is unique, so what assets you may be able to list as exempt in your case varies – and state law oftentimes plays a role as well.
Do I have to tell the police my immigration status?
Talking to police makes most people anxious and stressed, even if they have done nothing wrong. If you are an immigrant and have an encounter with the police or immigration agents, the experience can be even more frightening, especially if you are asked about your immigration status.
You have certain constitutional rights in the United States, regardless of your immigration status. One of these is the right to remain silent.
No, and here's why
This means you do not have to tell police or immigration officers your immigration status, even if they ask. In most cases, your immigration status has nothing to do with the reason the police are speaking to you, so there is no reason they need to know it.
Saying anything about your immigration status, or any other topic, can be used against you in court. Therefore, you should stay silent and ask for an attorney.
Providing immigration documents
Can you be deported because of a DUI?
Drunk driving is dangerous. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 32% of all fatal traffic accidents in the state in 2019 were alcohol-related.
In an effort to improve traffic safety, Virginia has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the nation. Even someone convicted for a first-offense DUI faces a mandatory minimum fine of $250 and may have their driver's license suspended for one year.
For people who are not U.S. citizens, the consequences of a DUI conviction can be even more severe. Some immigrants convicted of DUI face the possibility of deportation.
Deportable offenses
Generally, an undocumented immigrant can face deportation if they are convicted of any criminal offense. It's possible they can be deported even before conviction.
Documented immigrants have somewhat more protection from deportation. They can be deported if they are convicted of certain types of crimes. Among the most common are weapons offenses and certain drug crimes. Those convicted of aggravated felonies (typically, but not always, involving crimes of violence) can be deported, as can those convicted of "crimes involving moral turpitude."
How to obtain an E-2 visa
An E-2 visa is an entrepreneurial visa allowing foreign nationals to temporarily enter the U.S. and develop a for-profit business where they own at least a 50% share and in which they've made a substantial investment. There's neither floor nor ceiling for that investment, but it's generally thought the minimum to be between $100,000 to $150,000.
Valid for three months to five years (depending on the country of origin), the E-2 visa can be renewed indefinitely if conditions are met, though the E-2 nonimmigrant must maintain an intention to leave the United States when the visa has expired.
The E-2 visa is not a path to citizenship. E-2 visa holders can adjust their immigration status, though, by obtaining a
- Marriage-based green card; or
- Company sponsored green card; or
- National interest waiver; or
- EB-5 visa; or
¿Si no soy ciudadano, perderé todo en mi divorcio?
No ser ciudadano resulta en muchas dificultades en cada aspecto de la vida. A veces, los inmigrantes no ciudadanos tienen miedo de reportar crímenes a la policía, tienen preocupaciones sobre la falta de seguridad del trabajo, y más. El divorcio es un campo más en que el estatus migratorio puede traer preocupaciones adicionales. ¿Es verdad que el juez favorecerá a su cónyuge ciudadano cuando llega la hora de dividir la propiedad matrimonial y establecer la custodia de sus hijos?
Cómo se divide la propiedad
Las parejas que se están divorciando tienen la oportunidad de negociar su propio acuerdo sobre cómo quieren dividir su propiedad matrimonial. Si es necesario que el juez establezca una división de propiedad, hay ciertos factores que tomará en consideración mientras divide la propiedad.
Por ejemplo, bajo la ley de Maryland y de Virginia, el juez debe considerar factores como la edad, la salud, el nivel de educación, la capacidad de obtener ingresos, y la contribución al matrimonio de los dos cónyuges para establecer una división equitativa bajo las circunstancias (enlace en inglés). El estatus migratorio de los cónyuges no es uno de los factores que toman en cuenta, y no darán una porción inferior a un cónyuge solo porque no es ciudadano.
Obtaining and renewing a green card
A green card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows its holder to live and work permanently in the United States. There are several options to obtain a green card and information is available about how to renew it.
Green cards
One of the most common paths to a green card is through a close family member. If the applicant has a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or holds a green card, they may be able to sponsor the applicant.
Usually, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are given priority. This includes a spouse, unmarried child under 21 years old or parents of an adult U.S. citizen.
U.S. employers may also sponsor an applicant. Employers may extend job offers to employees with extraordinary abilities, like researchers, executives and to people who have an advanced degree to work in the U.S.
People who have refugee or asylum status in the U.S. may also qualify for a green card. Refugees can apply one year after they arrive in the U.S. and for those who have been granted asylum, they can apply after one year as well. There are also other special programs that offer green cards.
How does divorce affect my immigration status?
Divorce is complicated, and going through a divorce as an immigrant can mean a whole new level of complications. In addition to the other worries that come with a divorce, you may worry about deportation.
The good news is that a divorce does not necessarily mean you will immediately be deported. However, you should still know how divorce will impact your immigration status, learn about your options and take any necessary steps to avoid deportation.
Conditional residents
If you are already a lawful permanent resident, your immigration status should not be affected. This is not the case if you are a conditional resident.
You are a conditional resident when you are married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for at least two years. When you are a conditional resident, you have a 3-year residency requirement before you can become a lawful permanent resident.
Uninsured motorist fee no longer an option as of July 1, 2024
While Virginians can be fined for driving uninsured in the commonwealth, currently they can register their vehicles without being insured by paying a fee. However, as of July 1, 2024, this will no longer be the case.
All motorists in Virginia must carry auto insurance as of July 1, 2024. After that date, those who do not carry auto insurance will not be eligible to continue registering their vehicles. Formerly, state law permitted motorists who did not have auto insurance to register their vehicle for a $500 fee. This will no longer be an option as of July 1, 2024.
How much insurance coverage must I have?
In Virginia, you must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) in the amount of $30,000 per person and that covers $60,000 per accident. You must carry property damage liability in the amount of $20,000 per accident.
Can I file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Hard financial times can fall upon anyone living in the U.S., even if they are not a U.S. citizen. A person living in the U.S. with a Green Card might be interested in filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but can they do so if they are not a U.S. Citizen?
Who can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S.?
The good news is that you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. if you either reside in the U.S. or own a home, business or real estate in the U.S. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, meaning lawful permanent residents can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
To file for bankruptcy, you must have a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). You might not have a Social Security number, but if you work in the U.S. and have filed federal income taxes, you likely have an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
With offices in Herndon, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland, Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC provides legal help to clients in the areas surrounding Washington, D.C., including Frederick, Leesburg, Ashburn, McNair, Stone Ridge, Reston, Chantilly, Germantown, Woodbridge, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Rockville, McLean, Falls Church, Manassas, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, College Park, Greater Landover, Bowie, and Millersville.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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1037 Sterling Rd., Suite 201, Herndon, VA 20170
571-441-2233
