How to Prevent Running into Trouble with the US Immigration

Whether you are working in the United States or are simply visiting, the last thing you want to do is run into trouble with the US immigration. Here are a few tips by legal expert and activist Karen DeSoto, that will help you steer clear of trouble while in the US – 

• Remember that the US Citizenship and Immigration service tends to be rather backed up. Planning in advance helps you prevent falling out of your status and making sure that your work permit or immigration status is updated before the authorities get to you. 

• If you already have a green card, it is recommended that you file for a US citizenship as soon as it is legally possible. This will prevent any chances of deportation and also improve chances of security for your immediate family. 

• When arriving into the United States from another country, make sure you are prepared to convince border officials why you serve to retain your entry visa. They have all the power to send you back if they deem you to be a security risk. 

• As a tourist, avoid packing anything that suggests you intend to permanently stay back. Items such as your resume or a wedding dress can all act as a red flag. 

If you intend to get a green card via a family member, check if more than one member is eligible to petition for your visa. For instance, if a brother, spouse or a parent can both file for you, use all the channels possible. This way, if the waiting list under one category gets extremely long, or if a member dies, your other options are in process already. 

Why you need an Attorney to fight your Discrimination Case

If you believe that you have been victim to discrimination at work, it is important that you know what your rights are. In addition, depending on how complex the case is, you may need to hire an experienced attorney who is focused on that field of law. Attorney Karen DeSoto offers the following insights.

What is the Scope of an Attorney? 

An employment discrimination attorney will better be able to assess the validity of a claim, and define the strategy to move forward.

● Assess Whether the Employer Discriminated Against You 

For illegal discrimination to take place, the incident(s) need to fall under a category that is protected by the federal or state anti-discrimination laws. Not all categories are obvious and therefore require the expertise of an attorney that understands the subtlety, nuances and interpretations in this area of the law.

● Gather and Present Evidence that Supports your Claim 

Proving the intent of your employer, superiors, coworkers, or anyone who discriminated against you at work can be tricky, especially since most people will not admit their bias. Your attorney will help gather evidence by subpoenaing key documents, taking depositions of witnesses and obtaining the right testimonies to help your case.

● Help Run a Cost-Benefit Analysis 

This is one of the biggest advantages of hiring an attorney. He or she will be able to walk you through the strong and weak points of your case, highlight the expenses and the amount of damages you can actually recover if you win.

Finally, your attorney will be able to layout your options and give you a correct perspective on where you stand in your discrimination case.