Immigration Law Essentials for Virginia Practitioners

“This book serves as a quick reference guide for attorneys whose practice do not focus on immigration but may nevertheless run into immigration issues. While there are numerous sources, references, and compendiums on the subject of immigration law, most focus on specific areas with emphasis on highly technical details that are difficult and confusing to the non-immigration practitioner.”
- Tom Fadoul, author

Immigration Law Essentials for Virginia Practitioners assists attorneys who practice in other areas to understand how immigration law plays into a client’s situation with detailed coverage of this highly technical area. It provides a comprehensive overview of immigration law consequences, allowing attorneys to quickly identify issues so they can protect their clients’ rights while deciding whether a referral to an immigration law specialist should be made.

This edition is up to date with current case law and legislative updates through April 2016. The 2016 edition also includes expanded information on relief available to aliens in removal proceedings and defense against criminal convictions.

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CHAPTER 1:  INTRODUCTION

1.1    THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION PLANNING

1.2    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND SOURCES OF IMMIGRATION LAW
            1.201    Legislative History
            1.202    Agencies Involved in the Immigration Process

1.3    OVERVIEW OF THE TRANSFER AND RESIDENCE PROCESS
            1.301    Admission and Removal
            1.302    Nonimmigrant Visas
            1.303    Immigrant Visas
            1.304    Removal from the United States
            1.305    Work Authorization
            1.306    Tax-Related Provisions
            1.307    Obtaining Citizenship
    
CHAPTER 2:  NON-IMMIGRANT (TEMPORARY) VISAS

2.1    OVERVIEW OF NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS, EXTENSIONS, AND CHANGE OF STATUS
            2.101    Introduction
            2.102    Initial Visa Petition Process
            2.103    Extensions of Stay and Changes of Status
        
2.2    VISITORS FOR BUSINESS (B-1 VISAS) AND VISITORS FOR PLEASURE (B-2 VISAS)
            2.201    Definition
            2.202    Eligibility
            2.203    Visitors for Business (B-1)
            2.204    Visitors for Pleasure (B-2)
            2.205    Obtaining a B-1 or B-2 Visa
            2.206    Length of Stay and Extensions
            2.207    Change of Status
            2.208    Strategic Considerations
            2.209    Border Crossing Identification Cards
            
2.3    TRANSIT ALIENS (C-1, C-2, AND C-3 VISAS)
            2.301    Definition
            2.302    C Visa Subcategories

2.4    CREW MEMBERS (D VISAS)

2.5    VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
            2.501    Overview
            2.502    Eligibility
            2.503    Required Documents
            2.504    Length of Stay and Extensions
            2.505    Strategic Considerations

2.6    TEMPORARY WORKERS AND TRAINEES (H VISAS)
            2.601    “Specialty Occupations” (H-1B)
            2.602    The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA)
            2.603    Other H-1B Visas
            2.604    Temporary Workers (H-2A and H-2B)
            2.605    Trainees (H-3)
            2.606    Spouse and Dependent Children (H-4)
            2.607    Length of Stay, Extensions, and Change of Employers
            2.608    Strategic Considerations and Special Cases
    
2.7    INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES (L VISAS)
            2.701    Definition
            2.702    Requirements
            2.703    Obtaining an L-1 Visa
            2.704    New Offices
            2.705    Dual Intent
            2.706    Length of Stay and Extensions
            2.707    Spouses and Children
            2.708    Strategic Considerations

2.8    CANADIAN AND MEXICAN PROFESSIONALS ENTERING UNDER NAFTA (TN VISAS)
            2.801    Eligibility
            2.802    Filing Procedures
    
2.9    TREATY TRADERS (E-1 VISAS) AND TREATY INVESTORS (E 2 VISAS)    
            2.901    General Considerations
            2.902    Treaty Traders
            2.903    Treaty Investors
    
2.10    REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN MEDIA (I VISAS)
            2.1001    Sources of Law and Regulation
            2.1002    Definition
            2.1003    Procedure for Filing
            2.1004    Length of Stay
            2.1005    Spouses and Children
            2.1006    Classification When Eligible for Both I and E Visas

2.11    INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS (Q VISAS)
            2.1101    Eligibility
            2.1102    Required Documents
            2.1103    Length of Stay and Extensions

2.12    ENTERTAINERS, ARTISTS, AND ATHLETES: ALIENS OF “EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY” (O VISAS)
            2.1201    Eligibility
            2.1202    Definitions
            2.1203    O-2 and O-3 Visas
            2.1204    Required Documents
            2.1205    Length of Stay, Extensions, and Change of Employer
        
2.13    ENTERTAINERS, ARTISTS, AND ATHLETES: PERFORMING GROUPS AND ATHLETES (P VISAS)
            2.1301    Eligibility
            2.1302    Required Documents
            2.1303    Length of Stay, Extensions, and Change of Employer
    
2.14    STUDENTS: ACADEMIC STUDENTS (F VISAS)
            2.1401    Sources of Law and Regulation
            2.1402    General Requirements
            2.1403    F-1 Work Authorization
            2.1404    Spouse and Minor Children
            2.1405    Length of Stay and Extensions
            2.1406    Transfers

2.15    STUDENTS: VOCATIONAL STUDENTS (M VISAS)
            2.1501    Eligibility
            2.1502    General Requirements
            2.1503    Length of Stay and Extensions
            2.1504    Change of Status
    
2.16    STUDENTS: CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISITORS (J VISAS)
            2.1601    Sources of Law and Regulation
            2.1602    Requirements
            2.1603    Filing Procedure
            2.1604    Two-Year Residence Abroad and Waivers
            2.1605    Length of Stay and Extensions
    
2.17    RELIGIOUS WORKERS (R VISAS)
            2.1701    In General
            2.1702    Required Documents
            2.1703    Length of Stay and Extensions
    
2.18    DIPLOMATIC VISAS (A VISAS AND G VISAS)
            2.1801    In General
            2.1802    Benefits
            2.1803    Length of Stay and Extensions

2.19    FIANCÉES AND FIANCÉS (K VISAS)
            2.1901    Definition
            2.1902    Procedure
            2.1903    Special Considerations
    
2.20    VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING (T VISAS)
            2.2001    In General
            2.2002    Application Procedure

2.21    VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE (U VISAS)
            2.2101    In General
            2.2102    Application Procedure

2.22    BENEFICIARIES OF IMMIGRANT PETITIONERS (V VISAS)
            2.2201    Definition
            2.2202    Procedure

2.23    WITNESSES AND INFORMANTS (S VISAS)

CHAPTER 3:  OBTAINING PERMANENT RESIDENCE STATUS

3.1    GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
            3.101    Introduction
            3.102    Numerical Limits or Quotas
            3.103    Procedure: Consular Processing Abroad Versus Adjustment of Status in the United States
            3.104    Rescission
            3.105    Related Applications and Consequences

3.2    FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION
            3.201    In General
            3.202    Family-Based Preference Categories
    
3.3    ALIENS NOT SUBJECT TO PREFERENCE SYSTEM
            3.301    Immediate Family
            3.302    Special Immigrants
    
3.4    CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENCE AND MARRIAGE FRAUD
            3.401    Procedures
            3.402    Marriage During Removal Proceedings
            3.403    Removal for Termination of Conditional Permanent Residence
            3.404    Penalties for Marriage Fraud

3.5    DIVERSITY-BASED IMMIGRATION
            3.501    In General
            3.502    Procedures

3.6    EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION
            3.601    The Labor Certification Process
            3.602    The Employment Preferences
    
CHAPTER 4:  CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION

4.1    INTRODUCTION
            4.101    In General
            4.102    Principles Governing Citizenship
    
4.2    CITIZENSHIP BASED ON PLACE OF BIRTH

4.3    CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED THROUGH PARENTS

4.4    DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

4.5    CITIZENSHIP ACQUIRED THROUGH NATURALIZATION
            4.501    Eligibility Requirements
            4.502    The Application Process
    
CHAPTER 5:  DEPORTATION, EXCLUSION, AND REMOVAL

5.1    INTRODUCTION
            5.101    In General
            5.102    Distinctions Between Deportation, Exclusion, and
            Removal
            5.103    Detention Provisions
        
5.2    INADMISSIBILITY
            5.201    Inspection and Admission or Removal Procedures
            5.202    Grounds for Inadmissibility
    
5.3    GROUNDS FOR DEPORTATION AND REMOVAL
            5.301    In General
            5.302    Definitions
    
5.4    REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
            5.401    In General
            5.402    Burdens of Proof
            5.403    Appeals and Motions to Reopen and Reconsider
        
5.5    RELIEF FROM REMOVAL
            5.501    Waiver of Inadmissibility
            5.502    Asylum
            5.503    Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
            5.504    Cancellation of Removal
            5.505    Special Visas
            5.506    Withholding of Removal
            5.507    Voluntary Departure
            5.508    Other Relief
    
CHAPTER 6:  EMPLOYER SANCTIONS

6.1    INTRODUCTION

6.2    SECTION 274A VIOLATIONS AND RESULTING PENALTIES
            6.201    Definitions and Limitations on Applicability
            6.202    Paperwork Violations
            6.203    Knowing Hire Violations
            6.204    Penalties

6.3    FORM I-9 AND THE EMPLOYER’S OBLIGATIONS
            6.301    In General
            6.302    Authorized Documents

6.4    SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
            6.401    Questionable Documents: USCIS Notification of
            Possible Unauthorized Aliens
            6.402    Incorrect Social Security Numbers
            6.403    Pending Labor Certification

6.5    REVERIFICATION

6.6    RETENTION OF FORM I-9 RECORDS
            6.601    In General
            6.602    Rehired Employees

6.7    PROCEDURES: CHRONOLOGY OF AN INVESTIGATION AND HEARING
            6.701    Investigation
            6.702    Notice of Inspection
            6.703    Search of Premises
            6.704    Hearing
            6.705    Statute of Limitations
            6.706    Review

6.8    DEFENSES AND MITIGATION
            6.801    Good Faith
            6.802    Technical Violations
            6.803    Mitigation of Fines

CHAPTER 7:  UNFAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

7.1    INTRODUCTION

7.2    PROHIBITED CONDUCT

7.3    PERSONS PROTECTED

7.4    EMPLOYERS WHO ARE LIABLE

7.5    DISCRIMINATION BASED ON NATIONAL ORIGIN
            7.501    Discrimination Under Title VII and IRCA
            7.502    Conflicts Between E-Visa Treaties and Anti-discrimination Laws
            7.503    Bona Fide Occupational Qualification Defenses

7.6    DISCRIMINATION BASED ON CITIZENSHIP STATUS
            7.601    In General
            7.602    Exceptions for Equally Qualified Applicants
            7.603    Exceptions for Business Necessity

7.7    ELEMENTS OF A COMPLAINT AND CHRONOLOGY OF HEARING

7.8    PENALTIES

APPENDIX:  AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

INDEX

Thomas J. Fadoul, Jr.

Thomas J. Fadoul, Jr. is a Principal of the law firm Offit Kurman. He practices with emphasis in many aspects of domestic and international trade, joint ventures, investment strategies, compliance, and licensing. Additionally, he has expertise in coordinating the efforts of companies with governments in various countries to meet economic demand in niche markets worldwide. This includes the assemblage of public, private, and public/private partnerships in the global marketplace.

Having broad experience and familiarity with international law, Mr. Fadoul has worked closely with both individuals and companies on a wide range of commercial affairs. He has negotiated import/export trade and foreign direct investment transactions that require knowledge of finance, government regulations, mobility and immigration of foreign personnel, dumping policies, subsidies, and tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Additionally, Mr. Fadoul has worked to guide direct investment into and from various countries across the globe by facilitating the expansion of business operations abroad through distribution and franchise formulations. This area of practice encompasses mergers and acquisitions, the building and licensing of new facilities, technology transfer, and offset reinvestment and/or repatriation of profits earned from overseas operations.

Mr. Fadoul is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Virginia. In addition to being a founding member of the board of directors of various international trade associations and of a commercial bank, he is a past Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Inter-national Law Section and a past President of the International Trade Association of Northern Virginia. He was also a guest lecturer on international law at the George Mason University International Transactions graduate program.

Mr. Fadoul holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law, and a Master of Laws, with distinction, in International Law from Georgetown University Law Center.

Immigration Law Essentials for Virginia Practitioners