Guiding Our Clients Achieve a Better Life
We are always thrilled when cases work out well for our clients, but immigrant success stories are especially meaningful to us being true advocates of diversity. Designated as a best lawyer in the field of immigration law by U.S. News & World Report, Richard Herman and his team of immigration lawyers in Columbus, Cleveland and Detroit treat their clients like family. Our caring approach is combined with aggressive and proven representation to give each client the best fighting chance at success… and ultimately a safe and prosperous life in America.
R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Worker Visas
R1 visas apply to foreigners who are seeking to work in the United States on a temporary or full-time basis – as a minister or in another religious position. Generally, the alien needs a religious sponsor in the United States. Obtaining the first R-1 visa can take time because a site visit may be required.
Waiver of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement
The J-1 exchange visitors visa allows exchange visitors to participate in a one- to five-year cultural or educational exchange program that is overseen by the US Department of State. J-1 status is awarded for exchange visitors who are participating in teaching, lecturing, studying, training, observing, researching or consulting programs, and is sometimes funded by the participant’s home country.
Green Card Applications Filed Outside the United States: The Tough New “Public Charge” Rules
The US has a long-standing policy that requires prospective immigrants to prove that they will not become a “public charge” in order to become lawful permanent residents. But what is considered a public charge? You are a public charge if you rely on public benefits. This rule applies both to people seeking visas from overseas through consular processing, and to people seeking adjustment of status through the Department of Homeland Security.
The USCIS “Public Charge” Barrier: Legal Immigration Just Got Tougher
The “public charge” determination has long been a part of the legal immigration process -- immigrants have been required to prove that they will not become a public charge while in the United States. On Feb. 24, 2020, however, the Department of Homeland Security began enforcing the Final Rule, which adds significant obstacles to people seeking to adjust their status to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and even to obtain certain nonimmigrant benefits.
EB-5 Visa: Immigrant Investor Program
Can a foreign investor purchase permanent residency in the United States? Well, not exactly, but the EB-5 US investment visa program is about as close as you can get to purchasing permanent residence. The EB-5 investors visa USA program offers permanent residence to foreign investors much faster than just about any other pathway, but it does require a substantial qualifying investment in a new or existing commercial enterprise (nonprofits don’t count).
EB-1 Visa: First Preference for Employment-Based Immigration Visa
There is a range of ways in which aliens (foreign citizens) can apply for a visa to work in the United States. One example is through investment visas (through the E2 visa immigration process). Another way is through the EB-1 visa process. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the US Department of Homeland Security, authorizes EB-1 visas for immigrants who have unique qualifications such as extraordinary skills, exceptional academic and research skills, or particular supervisor and managerial skills.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
L-1 visas are nonimmigrant work visas designed for intracompany transferees. They allow aliens (foreign nationals) who are already employed in a managerial, executive or professional capacity to transfer to a US company or office of the same employer or its affiliated entity (another US company that enjoys a “qualifying relationship” with the beneficiary’s overseas employer). Family members are allowed to accompany the employee on an L-2 visa.
Ultimate Guide to E-2 Treaty Investor Visas
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a national of a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States can be admitted to America if they are investing a “substantial amount of capital in a US business.” The investor must apply for an E-2 nonimmigrant classification.
