Arizona's New Immigration Law
You need a passport to go to Arizona!
Los Angeles officials on Wednesday approved a ban on future business with Arizona in protest against its crackdown on illegal immigrants, becoming the largest U.S. city to impose such an economic boycott. http://tinyurl.com/22rdg8c
A tough new anti-immigration law in the US state of Arizona is facing its first legal challenges.
Critics say the new legislation, which requires police to question anyone they suspect may be in the country illegally, targets Hispanic minorities.
A Latino Christian group and an Arizona police officer have filed lawsuits.
Civil rights groups and the federal government say they may follow as President Barack Obama and Colombian popstar Shakira join the protests.
Even though most Arizonans support the measure, it has sparked protest and controversy nationwide.
Arizona police will be required to stop and question anyone they reasonably suspect to be an illegal immigrant. If the person cannot prove their status, they can be arrested.
In a state of fewer than seven million people, nearly half a million are thought to be illegal.
Most come from Mexico looking for work, but Arizona’s border is a busy route for drug smugglers.
Supporters of the new law say it will protect lawful residents. Opponents say anyone could be stopped simply because they look Hispanic. Find it here.
Arizona’s New Immigration Law
This is what the new Arizona law looks like.
Arizona's immigration law
Tourist Visas B1/B2
Visitors traveling to the United States temporarily for business or pleasure typically arrive on a tourist visa. For specific purposes that are legitimate, such as for medical treatment, attend a business conference, an expo or fair, or certain types of training.
Visitors can request a notation on their tourist visa indicating the purpose of their trip in the event that a visa extension or visa change is required later on.
Tourists from certain countries and who meet certain visa requirements may not have to apply for a visa in advance if they are a national from a country that is party to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP.) The VWP enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business (visitor B visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas.
For individuals who are from countries not participating in the VWP, they will have to apply for a tourist visa at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country and request an interview appointment. Prospective visitor has to show strong ties, and a steady employment history, consistent income, and a valid and legitimate purpose for the trip.
The consular officer has a very short time to decide on whether the tourist applicant is qualified for the visa. The visa applicant will be questioned as to the intent and purpose of the trip, whether the applicant has violated any laws or visa violation in the past, and most importantly, the consular officer will determine based on the evidence submitted whether the applicant has strong ties to their home country.
The most frequent basis for refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have ties abroad that would compel them to leave the US at the end of the temporary stay. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant.
Tourist Visa Application Now Electronically Submitted on DS-160
Please note: If you want to travel to the United States to study or to work, you will need a different kind of visa.
Please note: If you are in Thailand, please read here about applying for a tourist visa for your Thai girlfriend.
UPDATE: DS-160 Form is now required by the US Embassy in Bangkok, other forms will not be accepted. DS-160 Tourist Visa Application is submitted electronically and the photo is also electronically submitted. Email or call us to find out how this may affect you.
Before heading to the US Embassy with your application in hand, be prepared and review your documents. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have proof that I have strong ties to my home country, such as a business, dependents, employment, or family to substantiate my desire to return to my home country after my visit to the US?
- Do I have enough financial proof that I will be able to support myself during my stay wtihout having to resort to public funds or public assistance?
- Do I have a letter from the friend, company, or person sponsoring my trip to the US so to demonstrate that that person or organization would be responsible for me while I’m there?
- Do I have the time and patient to sit through an interview and respond honestly to the questions the interviewing officer will pose?
Testimonial
“Cathy Tran Reck helped my Thai girlfriend, Pam, obtain a B-2 Tourist Visa to the US. Despite the fact that Pam does not have strong financial ties to Thailand, Cathy encouraged us to focus on my background of having worked and lived in Thailand for several years. Cathy provided extremely valuable advice to Pam and I regarding the DS-160 application, the interview process and how to provide user friendly supporting documents to the US Embassy personnel.” (William Rowley) Read more..
Cathy Tran Reck & Associates Ltd. can assist you in navigating through this tourist visa process with little hassle. We review your strong ties evidence, assist you in obtaining meaningful supplementary evidence, and prepare the visa applicant to respond to each question with confidence, honesty, and in a clear and concise manner.
Call us today to book an appointment. Email: info@ctrlegal.com Tel: 02 302 1448
ICE Deporting US Citizens
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seem to be deporting U.S. citizens without ascertaining their immigration status. ICE has jurisdiction over illegal immigrants and cannot deport or illegal detain U.S. citizens, however, more and more instances of mishaps have resulted in U.S. citizens being wrongfully deported. Here’s the latest article.
Veloz had to prove his citizenship from behind bars. An aunt helped him track down his father’s birth certificate and his own, his parents’ marriage certificate, his father’s school, military and Social Security records.
After nine months, a judge determined that he was a citizen, but immigration authorities appealed the decision. He was detained for five more months before he found legal help and a judge ordered his case dropped.
US Fingerprint Plan to Verify US Workers’ Identity
The latest immigration legislation to pass this year would require US workers to verify their employment status through fingerprints or biometrics. The logic is sound, stop illegal immigration by stopping employers from hiring illegal immigrants.
As part of broader legislation he plans to introduce later this year that would provide a pathway to legal status for some 10 to 12 million immigrants, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is proposing a plan to require that the identity of United States workers be verified through fingerprints or digital photographs.
The fingerprint plan, which the Senate Judiciary Committee immigration subcommittee chair detailed during a Congressional hearing, drew fire from immigration analysts based on technical and privacy concerns, reports the Washington Post.
The senator didn’t say whether the government would maintain a fingerprint or biometric database, or if identifying data could be maintained in a portable card held by workers, the newspaper notes. However, he emphasized that the fingerprint plan would be used only for employment purposes and would include strict privacy controls.
The latest immigration legislation to pass this year would require US workers to verify their employment status through fingerprints or biometrics. The logic is sound, stop illegal immigration by stopping employers from hiring illegal immigrants.
As part of broader legislation he plans to introduce later this year that would provide a pathway to legal status for some 10 to 12 million immigrants, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is proposing a plan to require that the identity of United States workers be verified through fingerprints or digital photographs.
The fingerprint plan, which the Senate Judiciary Committee immigration subcommittee chair detailed during a Congressional hearing, drew fire from immigration analysts based on technical and privacy concerns, reports the Washington Post.
The senator didn’t say whether the government would maintain a fingerprint or biometric database, or if identifying data could be maintained in a portable card held by workers, the newspaper notes. However, he emphasized that the fingerprint plan would be used only for employment purposes and would include strict privacy controls.
US Visas and Immigration Services
CTR & Associates represents clients in Immigration Law by providing them a more efficient, reliable, and professional way to achieve their success at the US Embassy. Whether it is a family based immigration law matters at the US Embassy in Bangkok to the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, we meet with clients to assess the facts of the case and develop a legal and practical business plan suitable to their individual needs.
As a leading American Law Firm, our U.S. Attorneys can make Administrative Processing inquiries with the local U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or in Ho Chi Minh City, provide personal immigration consultations, research local immigration laws, request a legal opinion for Thailand or Vietnam, draft/review and negotiate Prenuptial Agreements, and provide legal advice with our local Thai and Vietnamese Lawyers. Our most popular requests are Tourist Visas B1/B2, Fiance(e) K1, and Spousal Visa K3 for Immediate Relatives.
U.S. Passport & Citizenship
U.S. Citizenship is one step beyond permanent residence (Green Card). It provides the maximum immigration rights and is normally the final stage or goal for most immigrants. We can provide information on the following issues on citizenship:
- Citizenship Application N-400
- Citizenship Test Reading and Writing Requirements
- Citizenship Package Naturalization Questions
- Dual Citizenship for Yourself of Your Children
- Certificate of Citizenship, Replacement or New
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Passport Application
U.S. Visas
A visa grants the holder the right to apply for entry into the United States. 
- B-1 Business Visa
- B-2 Tourist Visa
- C-1 Transit Visa
- F-1 Student Visa
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
- H-1B Work Visa
- K-1 Fiancée/Fiancé Visa
- Tourist Visa Extension
Tourist Visas for Business or Pleasure B1/B2
Visitors traveling to the United States temporarily for business and pleasure, usually come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for specific purposes, such as medical treatment, a conference, business meeting, or certain types of training.
Some tourists from certain countries, traveling for visitor visa purposes for 90 days or less, and who meet all the requirements, can travel to the United States for tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, certain citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the U.S.
Many of these temporary visitors, traveling for the business and pleasure purposes explained above, need visitor visas to enter the United States. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. Please note: If you want to travel to the United States to study or to work, you will need a different kind of visa.
K1 Visas
For many American who have met their girlfriends during their holiday tour of Thailand or who have met online through various dating websites, the most confounding problem is what to do if you want to pursue your relationship in the US. The most common questions I get from prospective client are: How can I bring my Thai fiancee to the US to get married? Do I have to marry her in Thailand or can we marry in the US? What are the financial and procedural issues I’d have to substantiate to the US Embassy?
Read more about K1 Visas here.
Visa Denials 214(b) and 221(g)
Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:
Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status…
To qualify for a non-immigrant Tourist Visa or Student Visa, an applicant must meet certain requirements, particularly that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have ties abroad that would compel them to leave the U.S. at the end of the temporary stay. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant, that’s YOU.
Most cases are decided after a brief interview and review of whatever evidence of ties an applicant presents, and consulate officers only spend a minimal amount of time reviewing the file before the interview, and in some instances, none at all.
