Important Immigration Resources Provided by Dedicated San Francisco Immigration Law Firm
Following are links to the many different federal agencies involved in the immigration process, along with links to specific functions of these agencies which may be most helpful to employers and employees seeking information about business and employment-based immigration. These resources also include links to other organizations which provide information or resources to the public regarding immigration. We hope these resources are helpful to you. If you don’t see the information you are looking for, or if you need to speak with an attorney about a particular immigration legal matter, please call the Owji Law Group in San Francisco at 415-693-9583.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – USCIS is the government agency which oversees lawful immigration to the United States. Applying for a Green Card or citizenship, submitting employment eligibility verification, or submitting a petition for an employment-based immigrant or non-immigrant visa are all done through the USCIS. Visit this website to check on processing times or the status of your case, to submit a change of address online, or to access USCIS Press Releases for important information, such as an announcement of when USCIS will start accepting the next round of H-1B petitions.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – ICE enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety. This activity includes working with private sector employers to ensure they hire only authorized workers and accurately verify employment eligibility. Individuals in ICE detention may be eligible for Deferred Action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – CBP is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations, charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. Visit their website to apply for the Visa Waiver Program through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
Department of Homeland Security – The DHS is the umbrella agency in charge of securing our nation’s borders and preventing terrorism on American soil. DHS maintains oversight of USCIS, ICE, CBP and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Bureau of Consular Affairs – This arm of the State Department implements many aspects of U.S. immigration law, including issuing non-immigrant and immigrant visas in consular offices overseas.
U.S. Embassy or Consulate – Visit this page to find websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Missions in countries around the world.
Visa Bulletin – Monthly visa bulletins provide important information about visa availability, such as the availability of immigrant numbers and dates for filing applications or final action dates. Data include the percentage of visas going to workers in the different employment-based preference categories.
Executive Office for Immigration Review – EOIR is an arm of the Department of Justice responsible for adjudicating immigration cases and interpreting and administering the nation’s immigration laws. EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.
Office of the Chief Immigration Judge – The OCIJ establishes and implements policies for the approximately 250 immigration judges in 58 immigration courts throughout the nation. The following link will take you to the San Francisco Immigration Court.
Immigrant Investor Regional Centers – These centers can be valuable for employment-based immigration fifth preference EB-5 visa seekers. Required investment thresholds in a Regional Center are lower than elsewhere in the country. There are over 200 Regional Centers in California alone.
Treaty Trader & Investor Visa – Visit this page if you wish to immigrate to engage in substantial international trade or develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which you have invested a substantial amount of capital, provided you are coming from a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation
American Immigration Council – At this website you can find basic information about how the U.S. legal immigration system is designed, including information about your rights as an immigrant. You can also access fact sheets on each state, such as this California immigration fact sheet.
State Bar of California – This statewide attorney organization provides helpful information regarding immigration law, including this warning about using consultants or notarios. Click here for the Spanish version.
Immigration Daily – This page from legal publisher ILW is updated daily with the latest news and developments in U.S. immigration law. Written primarily for the legal professional, Immigration Daily is also read by corporate HR personnel, immigrants and others wishing to stay current on the latest in immigration news.
