But despite potentially prohibitive costs and some initial apprehension about privacy, for many immigrants, the prospect of a speedier application approval trumps all other considerations. The experience of a recent DNA test customer provides an ideal example of DNA immigration testing in action. In July 2005 Edilberto and Brenda Bollozos were shocked by news from the American Embassy in Manila that their sons’ visa applications had been denied. The notice recommended DNA testing as a means of officially gathering the necessary evidence.

The couple decided to use a DNA testing company. “We just called the 800 number, answered a few questions and set up an appointment,” recalls Mr. Bollozos. Within a few days, a DNA collection specialist was in their home, guiding them through the specimen gathering and documentation process. “They were very friendly and helpful, and the whole process was actually extremely easy.”

Meanwhile, the company coordinated the collection of the boys’ genetic specimens with the American embassy in the Philippines. The couple was told to expect a few weeks for test results to be gathered and processed by the US government. It was on a morning in late July that the official word arrived from the U.S. embassy in Manila: the visas had been granted.

“We were so happy,” Eddie explained. “We couldn’t wait for the boys to come over, so we bought tickets and flew to the Philippines to meet them.” There, the Bollozos family spent more than a month together, before the four of them departed for the United States, and the boys’ new Hayward, California home.

While the stringency of DNA testing guidelines can be superficially intimidating to potential applicants like the Bollozos family, visa seekers are quickly attracted to the U.S. policy that requires expedited processing of blood relationship cases involving DNA paternity testing or other relationship testing, effectively simplifying and shortening the pathway to attaining a visa.

Naturally, the details of the process and its scientific roots are the last thing on the mind of individuals like Eddie Bollozos. His enthusiasm for the incalculable aid DNA testing provided to help unite his family is impossible to deny. “It’s wonderful,” Bollozos says. “My sons are finally able to share my love of this land.”

David Nicholson owns and runs DNA Worldwide one of the leading online DNA testing sompanies in the UK. He has been working within the insurance industry for over 5 years and has thousands of satisfied customers worldwide. DNA Worldwide provides DNA Testing services.

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Prior to the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, “deportation” was the legal process of removing a foreign national already in the United States from the United States. “Exclusion” was the prevention of a foreign national from entering the United States. After the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, these two processes, exclusion and deportation, became “removal” proceedings. Anyone who is not a United States citizen is eligible to be put through removal proceedings.

There are two main types of permits to live in the United States, permanent resident and non-permanent resident. Permanent residents are issued Green Cards while non-permanent residents are given visas. Visas have more restrictions on them and expire after the purpose for which the individual needed the visa is no longer there.

Visa Holders: Denial of Entry

Visa holders should be prepared to prove whenever attempting to enter the United States that they are entering the United States for permissible reasons. Non-permanent residents need to be able to show that they intend to leave in accordance with the terms of their visa. This means that if an individual is granted a student visa, he or she should plan on leaving when their purpose is complete.

Even after being granted a visa, when an individual approaches the border, he or she can still be deemed “inadmissible”. If this happens, any individual is expected to depart.

Visa Holders: Deportation

Non-permanent residents are most-frequently deported because they have entered the United States without the correct inspection documents or valid entry documents. The second most common reason for deportation of non-permanent residents involves individuals who entered the United States with a visa and then overstayed their visa.

Green Card Holders: Denial of Entry

Lawful permanent residents who have been outside of the United States for an extended period of time need to be prepared to show that they have intended to return to the United States since the second they left. If not, the green card holder may be denied entry.

Green Card Holders: Deportation

The most common reason for removal proceedings concerning individuals with permanent resident status is that they have committed a serious crime. Some people do not realize they are open to a removal proceeding until they apply for citizenship and a background check is performed as part of the naturalization process.

When an individual realizes they are open to a removal proceeding, withdrawing an application for citizenship will not prevent an individual from being deported if the person has already had removal proceedings started against him or her.

If you would like more information concerning deportation or immigration, please visit http://criminalandimmigrationlawyer.com/deportation.html. If you have any questions, their team will be more than happy to answer them for you.

Joseph Devine

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The “Green Card” is evidence of your status as a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States, as long as you do not violate any immigration laws. A “Green Card” instantly communicates to law enforcement officials and United States employers the person’s legal status in accordance with United States immigration laws

In August 1989, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS – now USCIS) began issuing “Green Cards” with a 10-year expiration date and required permanent residents to renew their Green Cards every 10 years. In addition, a “Green Card” that is too old, with out-of-date photographs or is damaged, cannot effectively serve as evidence of current immigration status, registration, identity, and employment authorization or re-entry documents. Current Green Cards have an expiration date stated on the front of the card and expire every ten (10) years. The USCIS puts a 10-year expiration date on “Green Cards” for Permanent Residents, not Conditional Residents (2-year expiration date), to protect against counterfeiting and tampering and to ensure that those individuals who may now be inadmissible, removable or deportable are brought to the attention of USCIS.
Green Card holders will not necessarily lose legal status in the United States if their card expires; however, permanent residents are required by law to carry evidence of their current legal status at all times (e.g. a valid, unexpired Green Card or the temporary proof of status you receive at the time of filing to renew your Green Card.) If permanent residents fail to renew an expired or expiring card, they may experience difficulties in obtaining employment, public benefits and re-entry into the United States after traveling abroad. It is important to note that USCIS will not penalize applicants for renewing their “Green Card” after it has expired, but applicants should apply to renew their “Green Cards” as soon as possible. Furthermore, under no circumstances should a permanent resident travel abroad with an expired card unless he or she has proof that a renewal for the Green Card was filed with the USCIS and is able to show proof upon entry back into the U.S.

“Green Cards” issued between 1979 and 1988 which did not state a specific expiration date did not be renewed because there was no expiration date. Lawful permanent residents who hold these permanent resident cards with no expiration date may replace their cards now, but there is currently no requirement to do so. It is important to note that these cards are now between 17 and 30 years old and are possibly damaged and with outdated photographs.

On August 22, 2007, the USCIS announced a proposed rule that all lawful permanent residents with cards with no expiration date must apply and obtain new “Green Cards.” This proposed rule in no way affects the current validity of these permanent resident cards. Permanent residents who possess these cards may continue to use them as proof of permanent residency when traveling, when seeking employment, and at any time such proof is required. However, the USCIS is seeking to terminate “Green Cards” without an expiration date. USCIS believes that the replacement of these cards is vital to the security of the immigration process. The change would allow USCIS to issue more secure, tamper-resistant permanent resident cards, update cardholder information, conduct background checks, and electronically store applicants’ fingerprint and photographic information so as to provide better evidence of the identity of the cardholders.

To renew your Green Card, you must complete and submit a Form I-90 “Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card.” Form I-90 applications to renew “Green Cards” may be submitted by mail or online at the USCIS website (www.usicis.gov). All applicants are required to provide current biographic and biometric (photographs and fingerprint) information. If an applicant cannot afford the necessary USCIS filing fee, he or she may request a fee waiver according to standard procedures. The specific requirements and procedures for applying to renew an expiring permanent resident card are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.

Currently, processing times for the adjudication of I-90 applications, without any immigration issues, is usually 6-12 weeks. However, processing times can vary for each applicant based on particular facts. If you are outside of the United States at the time of the card’s expiration and you have not applied for the renewal card prior to your departure, you should contact the nearest American Consulate or Embassy, USCIS office, or Port of Entry before attempting to return to the United States or filing Form I-90 for a renewal I-551 card. The USCIS encourages eligible residents to also consider applying for naturalization.

If a “Green Card” holder has had any criminal convictions after obtaining lawful status or has any legal concerns, it is extremely important to seek legal advice prior to filing for renewal or Naturalization. Many applicants discover the consequences of applying for renewal or Naturalization only after they have been placed in Removal (Deportation) Proceedings.

Nikki Mehrpoo Jacobson

Jacobson & Han LLP, Immigration Attorneys

Los Angeles Immigration Attorneys

http://www.greencard4you.com
(213) 620-0222

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