Most foreign
nationals come to the United States with the
intention of making a better life for themselves
and their families. Some people find that even
if they enter the country legally and with a
valid visa, it is easy to simply continue living
in the U.S. after their status expires.
Continuing to live in the U.S., even illegally,
is a great temptation. Doing this, however, may
forever bar your chances of obtaining any other
visa or even your green card in the future.
Maintaining your immigration status and
complying with immigration laws in the U.S. can
be complicated. If you remember the following
advice, however, the process will be much
easier.
1. Keep your passport valid. It is your
responsibility to make sure you have a valid
passport at all times. You should keep your
passport valid for at least six months into the
future while you are living in the U.S.
2. Notify the appropriate immigration office of
any change in your address. All non-immigrants
are required to notify Immigration Services
within ten days of a change in an address.
3. Do not work in the U.S. without first
obtaining the required approval. In order to
work in the U.S. you will need an employment
authorization card or a visa which allows you to
work in the U.S.
4. Never stay in the U.S. beyond the date shown
on your I-94 card. The I-94 card serves as
evidence that a person has entered the country
legally. It is stamped with a date indicating
how long the person may stay for that particular
trip. It is this date, and not the expiration
date of the visa, that controls how long a
non-immigrant can remain in the country.
5. Most crimes committed in the U.S. will bar
you from obtaining any other visa, and more
serious crimes will prevent you from obtaining a
green card. If you have a criminal conviction,
you may need to consult with an immigration
attorney to determine what actions to take to
maintain your immigration status.
A person who is in the U.S. and is not
maintaining any immigration status, or violating
their immigration status, is considered to be
unlawfully present. Violations of status and
unlawful presence in the U.S. carry serious
consequences, including deportation and
permanent visa denial. Be sure that you
carefully follow the immigration regulations and
properly maintain your status at all times.
Taking the extra steps to make sure you are
living in the U.S. legally will allow you and
your family to stay in the country without fear
of deportation. If you are eligible for a green
card, following all immigration regulations will
make this much easier to obtain.
If you have any questions on how to maintain
your immigration status or any other legal
matter, please contact us or visit
www.immigration-law-answers.com. |
