U.S. immigration law is based on the following principles: family reunification, admission of immigrants with valuable skills for the U.S. economy, protection of refugees, and promotion of diversity. This description reflects basic information on how the U.S. legal immigration system was conceived and functions. The set of laws governing U.S. immigration policy is designated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas annually in various visa categories. Beyond these 675,000 visas, the INA does not set limits on the annual admission of spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens under 21. Additionally, each year, the president must consult Congress and establish an annual number of refugees to be admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
When a person obtains an immigrant visa and goes to the United States, they become a legal permanent resident (LPR). In some circumstances, non-citizens already in the United States can obtain legal residence through a process known as “adjustment of status.”
Every year, the United States also admits various temporary immigrants, such as tourists, students, and authorized temporary workers allowed to stay in the country.
However, undocumented immigrants remaining in the country carry the hope of a path to legalization through changes in immigration law, a promise or discussion by various presidents. As an example of what is happening in Florida, where, to the contrary, the governor signed an anti-immigrant law, many immigrants are discouraged, unsure of what to do. The Migration Policy Institute, a think tank based in Washington D.C, estimates that 772,000 undocumented immigrants live in Florida.
The paths leading to the coveted Green Card are quite varied. According to immigration lawyer Ingrid Domingues McConville, for those wanting to live in the United States without any family ties to an American, the significant opportunity lies in a work visa. Those with qualifications valuable to the United States are certainly a step ahead in obtaining immigration. These qualifications include specializations, university education, proven experience, and investment capacity.
In the welcome letter to the new resident in the United States, we observe a strong respect for immigrants by the country, stating, “The United States values the contributions of immigrants, who continue to enrich this country and preserve the legacy of being the land of freedom and opportunity. As a permanent resident of the United States, you have decided to make this country your home… As you begin your life as a resident of this great nation, many opportunities await you. Welcome to the United States!”
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- Ingrid Domingues-McConville founded DM VISA LAW – Domingues McConville, P.A. in 1995. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995 and a member of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Ingrid earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and her law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. With 28 years of experience in Immigration Law, Ingrid has represented clients throughout the United States and worldwide, handling both business and family immigration matters. She has assisted companies and individuals in obtaining visas and permanent residency in the United States. Ingrid plays a significant leadership role in the Brazilian community in South Florida and across the United States, providing much-needed legal guidance and advice.