Immigration Law Essentials for Virginia Practitioners

Content Highlights

“This book serves as a resource for new immigration lawyers and other-discipline practitioners. Due to the ever-changing and extraordinarily complex nature of immigration law, it is meant to give a high-level perspective of immigration law to assist in issue-spotting and basic guidance. And, while current at the time of publication, certain aspects of immigration law may change under the Biden Administration, while leaving the basic structure of the Immigration and Nationality Act in place.” – Lisa Shea, author

Immigration Law Essentials for Virginia Practitioners is an essential reference guide for attorneys whose practice does not focus on immigration but who nevertheless need to understand how immigration laws may affect their clients. Immigration law is complex, highly technical, subject to frequent changes, and frequently misunderstood by members of the general public. Because a client’s immigration status can affect many other legal issues, the need for such guidance has never been greater.

Importantly, this book provides a comprehensive overview of immigration law consequences, allowing attorneys to quickly identify issues so they can protect their clients’ rights while deciding whether a referral to an immigration law specialist should be made. Grounds of inadmissibility and deportability are considered, along with detention, removal proceedings, and waivers.

The discussion of nonimmigrant visas and other temporary statuses will be of value to attorneys working with these clients, and the chapters on obtaining permanent resident status and naturalization provide practical information that will help attorneys counsel clients who wish to become U.S. citizens. Additional coverage focuses on legal issues that affect nonimmigrants working in the United States including employer sanctions and unfair employment practices.

This edition is up to date with current case law and legislative updates through December 2020. The 2021 edition also adds new chapters with discussions that cover asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The appendices include a brief glossary of terms and a list of agency contact information.