#USImmigrationLaw: Top 5 Immigration Law Questions

There's been a lot of heated rhetoric around immigration this election season, and so much vitriolic back-and-forth can leave people wondering where they actually stand when it comes to their rights and the law. And it doesn't help that U.S. immigration law is already an overly complicated area of law.

So here are five of the biggest immigration law questions, and where you can turn for answers, from our archives:

1. What Is Family Based Immigration?

How do immigration officials define "immediate" relatives? And what's the difference between an immediate relative petition and a family preference petition? These petitions could be the most important you fill out in the immigration process, find out how they work.

You'll need some paperwork: evidence of your child's citizenship, evidence of your parental relationship, your own photo ID, and a passport photo for your child. But you'll also need some consent: U.S. law requires that both parents or legal guardians of a child must sign the passport application for children under 16.

3. What Is USCIS Form I-130?

It's the first step to getting relative started on the process to immigration, and from here, the process can take at least 5 to 10 months. To make sure your family stays together, make sure you know about how to get started.

4. What Issues Will Affect My Visa?

There are a lot of factors that are taken into account on your visa application -- some that can hurt your chances for a new or extended visa, and some that can help. Find out which could make the difference between getting in and getting shut out.

5. What Is Denaturalization?

Just as U.S. citizenship can be granted, it can be revoked. (But only for naturalized citizens.) Learn about the reasons for and the process of denaturalization, and how you can avoid it.

Related Resources:

• Find Immigration Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
• #USImmigrationLaw: 5 Facts to Know About U.S. Border Patrol (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• #USImmigrationLaw: 5 Facts About Illegal Immigration Laws (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• #USImmigrationLaw: 5 Tips for Your Stokes Interview (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)