Entering the US with an R1 visa

The immigration laws are extremely tough on the immigrants. Whether you are moving to the US with your whole family or opting for an R1 visa, it is best to hire best immigration lawyers in NJ. Why New Jersey you might be asking? NJ is home to numerous immigration law firms that work with people across the country with immigration problems. One of the best immigration lawyers in NJ is Michael Wildes. He is known for his work for the people of the country and help them win their immigration cases. 

What is an R1 visa?

A non-immigrant visa, R1 visa is for the foreign nationals of religious denominations who want to enter the US. The visa is for the people who choose to be a minister as a vocation.

The people who can apply for an R1 visa include religious instructors, catechists, counselors or liturgical workers who work for religious health care facilities, hospitals, missionaries, or are religious broadcasters or translators. This group DOES NOT include clerks, janitors, fundraisers, maintenance workers or any individual solely related to work of donations.

Eligibility for R1 visa

1. Members of religious community or group which is registered as a non-profit organization in the US
2. Non-profit religious organization in the US who are employing foreign nationals as part of their team. This includes religious translators, broadcasters, missionaries, and more.
3. Foreign individuals coming to the US to work only as ministers in the religious community.

Visa requirements

1. The person applying for an R1 visa should have worked at least two years as part of a religious community.
2. The sponsoring employee should be registered as a non-profit organization in the US and should be eligible for the tax exemption.
3. You plan to enter and work solely as a member of the religious denomination.
4. If you have previously applied for an R1 visa, you should have resided physically outside the US for one-year minimum.
5. You plan to leave the US once your visa expires.

Fulfilling all the criteria for an R1 visa is quite tough and sometimes it requires a professional help. This is the reason why the majority of people applying for the R1 visa choose to hire best immigration lawyers in NJ. If you are still looking for an expert immigration attorney to hire, consult Wildes & Weinberg. They are most sought after law firm with offices in New York, Miami, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

Future of DACA and DREAMers

Immigration reforms are going haywire and it seems that the dreamers have the most to lose. Under President Trump, America has seen some of the major setbacks on DACA - the Deferred Action bill signed by former President Obama. Inspired by the DREAM Act, DACA was the new policy that came in the act for the individuals who were brought to the country as minors and do not have any idea that they are undocumented. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act, if approved the concerned individual will get his\her social security number and can live and work as the US citizen.

Pulling the plug on the DACA, President Trump has forced 8,00,000 young undocumented immigrants to the harsh future of deportation. However, the current administration gave the Congress a six-month window to work out the kinks. This way the current DREAMers will not lose their ability to work immediately. Currently, no new applications to the program are being accepted. Though the Trump administration has assured that they will honor the work permits until they expire, it is best to hire the best immigration lawyers in NJ to keep you updated on the process. 

What is DACA?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act was essentially inspired by the DREAM act. It refers to the hundreds of individuals who were brought illegally as minor in the country. Under it, the Department of Homeland Security allows certain people with no priors. They should have no misdemeanors, no felonies and should not be a threat to the country. If approved, the individual will get their social security number and the authorization to work.

Length of the deferral
Under DACA, the approved individuals were allowed to defer deportation and live and work in the US for 2 more years. After that regular renewal was to be applied. By March 2017, about 240,700 people have applied for the program.

New administration plans

In words of Trump administration, they are phasing DACA out in the way that offers “minimum disruption”. According to current officials, the protection for the current DREAMers will stay in effect until work permits expire. No new application will be processed except the ones received before September 5, 2017. Any individual with status expiring by March 5, 2018, has  a month to apply for a new 2-year permit. Such applications will be processed. In New Jersey, individuals are contacting best immigration lawyers to understand their status under the new governance. If you want to know your work and citizen status or understand what is happening with DACA phasing out, you can contact Wildes & Weinberg. They are premier immigration lawyers of New Jersey with expertise in all kinds of immigration formalities.