Immigration

Jerry Tudela• BIA Accredited Representative

• Bilingual with over 17 years of experience

Services Offered

• Family Petitions• Residency Applications• Citizenship

Centro Latino

• Non-profit Organization• Recognized by the Board of

Immigration Appeals

Centro Latino737 12th St SW

Hickory, NC 28602

Office Hours of Operation:

• Monday –Thursday: 10:00 am- 6:00 pm

• Fridays: 10:00 am-1:00 pm

828. 441.2493

Immigration Services:

• Saturdays twice a month: 9:30 am- 3:30 pm

Immigration 101• Work Permit- Allows people to work in the US.

• Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)

The “Green Card,” allows people to live and work in the US, travel to their home countries, and is a path to citizenship. LPRs can apply for status for their spouse and children.

• CitizenshipCitizens can vote, travel with a passport, and receive government benefits. Citizens can apply for their spouse, children, and immediate family members.

Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migrantion Assistance).

Commonly Asked Question:

• Who can file a petition?

US Citizen

• Can file for:– Spouse– Children under 21– Parents – Cost: $355.00

• Minor children, spouse of US citizen- 1-1.5 years.

• Unmarried children over age 21 of US citizen- 4-10 years.

• Married children of US citizen- 7-10 years.• Siblings of US citizen- minimum 12-23

years.

For US citizens petitioning for their families:

Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

LPR

• Can file for:– Spouse– Children under

21– Children over 21

that are single– Cost: $355.00

For LPRs petitioning for their families:

• Minor children, spouse of LPR- 4-7 years.• Children over age 21 of LPR- 10-13 years.• Married children of LPR- can’t petition for

legal residency.• Siblings of LPR- can’t petition for legal

residency.

Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

Family Petition Preferences:

• First Preference– Unmarried sons

and daughters of US Citizens

Preferences continued:

• Second Preference– For spouse and

children, unmarried under 21

– For sons and daughters over 21 that are single

Preferences continued:

• Third Preference– Married sons and

daughters of US Citizen

Preferences continued:

• Fourth Preference– Brothers or

sisters of US Citizen

Family Based

Family All charge-ability areas except those listed

CHINA-mainland born

INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES

1ST 22JUL02 22JUL02 22JUL02 08OCT92 15JUL93

2A 01JUL04 01JUL04 01JUL04 15OCT01 01JUL04

2B 22JUN00 22JUN00 22JUN00 01MAY92 01DEC97

3RD 08AUG00 08AUG00 08AUG08 15OCT92 08JUN91

4TH 01MAR98 15NOV97 01MAR98 08APR95 15MAY86

After the Petition is Approved:

• Adjustment of Status

Adjustment of Status:

• Inside the US– USCIS

• Outside the US– NVC

Section 245 (a)

• Cost: $1010.00• Entered legally

with inspection

Section 245 (c)

• Cost $1,010.00• Beneficiary needs

to prove legal entry

Section 245 (i)

• Cost $ 2010.00• If beneficiary

entered without inspection

The Next Step

• After the Adjustment of Status is approved, the person can apply for a Social Security Number.

Visas for low-skilled workers

In general the State Department gives 5,000 visas for low-skilled workers to come and work in the United States every year. The market hires about 400,000 low skilled workers every year.

Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

The immigration process is very long and family separation is stressful and extensive. Due to current immigration regulations, people from countries such as Mexico and other Latin American countries are penalized with even longer waiting periods. Looking for opportunities for themselves and their families, many immigrants choose to make the dangerous crossing as undocumented immigrants into the United States.

Section 287 G

In the opinion of Jerry Tudela, this is not working well because of the lack of information and communication between officials, and the strained relationship between the officials and the community.

Any Further Questions?

• Centro Latino–828. 441.2493

• Jerry Tudela–828.275.4567

Sources• http://www.acsblog.org/uploads/image/high%20court(1).jpg • http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hyECORLe2jg/RwFyIsd2rnI/AAAAAAAAAl0/eEl5F

p7rO_c/s400/Citizenship+Test+AGC+100107.jpg

• http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RMqTjCmPuPY/R4pKhb0fkHI/AAAAAAAAAuM/D_1rONmbWTE/s400/united-states-flag.gif

• http://www.immihelp.com/docs/images/sample-social-security-number-card.gif

• http://www.jonco48.com/blog/US_20Mexico_20border.jpg • Social Services, ALMA(Asheville Legal Migration Assistance)A• Appreciating Diversity in our Communities: Latinos in Western North

Carolina. (COLA- Coalicion de Organizaciones Latino-Americanas)