Does Your Company Need An Immigration Lawyer?

Businesses and companies need the advice of an immigration lawyer just like families and individuals. Individuals need legal help when they want to become naturalized citizens, are afraid of being deported or are trying to bring family members into the United States. Employers need guidance when they hire employees from other countries or have similar concerns. Company owners and managers must comply with all laws or they will be subject to penalties and fines. The paperwork surrounding temp or permanent workers is complicated in the best of circumstances. If workers come from another country, it is even more complex. This is where an attorney comes in. It's his or her job to know all the laws and how to comply with them as well as about green cards, visas, I-9s and more.

Visas that are needed:

- B-1 or business documents: B-1s are documents that allow immigrants to come into the USA for a visit. This doc doesn't give them permission to be employed for pay, however. B-1 would be the proper classification for an individual who was coming in to give a speech, attend a conference, teach a course voluntarily or put together a workshop.

- Degreed workers: Individuals from other countries who are professionals who have earned college degrees can enter the US with an H1B form. These foreign individuals typically have some sort of expertise which is needed in America. With the H1B, these experts are able to stay for 3 years and then must apply again for extensions.

- Green cards: College education professionals may obtain green cards if they have a sponsor who is willing to go through the process with them. An employer who values and needs these pros often decide to sponsor the foreign born person.

- E-3 documents: If an immigrant is coming in from Australia, he or she would need an E-3 form. This is a two year visa which allows a person and his immediate family members to come into the United States of America.
- Immigrants starting new businesses: Individuals who are coming into the U.S. from another country to open up a business obtain a certain type of green card called 5th Preference. Because this immigrating person is bringing potential capital into the country via a new enterprise, he or she would be given this preferential status. After a couple of years, the E-3 would expire and new docs would be needed.

Multiple agencies are in charge of the immigration processes. Each division has its own set of duties and responsibilities. They are the State Department, Department of Labor, Dept. of Justice, Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security. Border Control and Customs play their part in the operation, as well.

In recent years, there have been multiple changes in the statutes and regulations. Most company owners and managers have their hands full simply running the company. If there are any issues that involve employees from other countries who need green cards or legal documentation, it is often necessary to hire an expert immigration lawyer to take care of everything.