The 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 operates. The set of laws governing U.S. immigration policy is designated as 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 years old. Additionally, every 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). Under certain circumstances, non-citizens already in the United States can obtain legal residency through a process known as “adjustment of status.”
Every year, the United States also admits a variety of temporary immigrants, such as tourists, students, and authorized temporary workers allowed to stay in the country.
However, undocumented immigrants who remain in the country carry the hope of a path to legalization through changes in immigration law, as promised or discussed by various presidents. As an example of what is happening in Florida, where, on the contrary, the governor signed an anti-immigrant law, many immigrants are disheartened, unsure of what to do. The Migration Policy Institute, a Washington D.C.-based think tank, estimates that 772,000 undocumented immigrants live in Florida.
The paths leading to the coveted Green Card are quite varied. According to immigration specialist lawyer Ingrid Domingues McConville, for those wanting to live in the United States without having any relatives who are American citizens, the significant opportunity lies in the work visa. Those with valuable qualifications for the United States are certainly a step ahead in achieving immigration. These qualifications include specializations, university education, proven experience, and investment power.
In the welcome letter to the new resident of the United States, we observe a profound 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, addressing both business and family immigration matters. She has helped companies and individuals obtain visas and permanent residency in the United States. Ingrid plays a significant role in the Brazilian community in South Florida and throughout the United States, providing much-needed guidance and legal advice.