A Simple Guide To The Immigration Laws of the United States

As a practicing immigration attorney for many years, I have had to help many clients solve some of the most common problems, simply because they had no knowledge of the immigration laws of the United States. Whether you were born in the US, whether you are now in the US, or even if you are planning to come to America, this book is for you. You MUST read this book, especially as an alien, because the information you will find here will help you to stay out of trouble and direct your path from the time you arrive in America up to you becoming a US citizen if you so desire. When you read this book you will learn about some of the things which you should and should not do when you come to America. Others will tell you things which may not always be true, so do not be fooled by people who do not know the law. Let this book be your Guide.

As far back as the early days of colonization, the United States of America was built largely by immigrants who continue to be a contributing presence in the country today. For those fortunate enough to be born in the USA – which immediately grants them U.S. citizenship -- it may be difficult to fully grasp the realities of life immigrants face on a daily basis. Leaving family, friends, and their birthplace behind is a huge sacrifice for people coming to America in search of a better life. Being unfamiliar with the language, customs, traditions, federal/state regulations and immigration laws can be terribly frightening and overwhelming. Some immigrants are successful in their venture for a new and better life, and some make many mistakes along the way. When in doubt, or when you need assistance, you should always seek the help of a competent, knowledgeable U.S. immigration attorney. Therefore, this book is intended to better prepare you when asking probing questions to your attorney or another legal immigration adviser. A Simple Guide to the Immigration Laws of the United States should not be used as legal advice because each factual situation is different. Unless they are a qualified, knowledgeable attorney, we recommend that you do not rely on friends or family as they may ill advise you on U.S. immigration matters. Many people, like Savie and I, come to the United States seeking the American dream. We immigrated to improve our lifestyle, get a better education, and to increase our wealth (just to name a few desires), all of which can be obtained with much hard work and with the assistance of those in their new country. It is our hope that by reading this guide you will have a better understanding of what it is like to be an immigrant in America, and what it takes to become a United States citizen.

Co-author Marcus Anton Jarvis was admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota on May 10, 2002. He is licensed by the Minnesota Supreme Court and all Minnesota lower courts, such as the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He practices primarily in the areas of Immigration and Criminal Law. Mr. Jarvis practices Immigration Law before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its related administrative agencies; the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA); Federal District Court of Minnesota; and the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also been admitted to the Federal Tax Court in Washington D. C. He is the owner and sole partner of Marcus-Jarvis Law, Ltd. (formerly Jarvis and Associates, LLC, and Jarvis and Associates, PC), which has attained a number of successful appeals at the BIA and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He has also been awarded with published decisions at the BIA and the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Jarvis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Avionics (Aircraft Electronics) from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida; a Juris Doctor (JD) from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota; and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Federal licenses: Federal Airframe; Federal Power Plant; Federal Communications Commission with Ship Radar Endorsement; and Federal Private Pilot License. Marcus Anton Jarvis was born in the Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda, and is a naturalized American citizen.