Immigration Law

Business immigration law

The global marketplace is changing. In stark contrast to small businesses, many industries now operate on a worldwide level.  For businesses in Dallas, immigration laws are essential to understand.  It has become increasingly important to have a knowledgeable business immigration lawyer.

With offices in Dallas, Texas, and Mexico City, Mexico, the attorneys of Ramirez & Associates are ideally situated to assist businesses and employees looking to bring resources into the United States or Mexico from other countries.   They have extensive experience dealing with the minute details of immigration paperwork.  Their thorough understanding of United States and Mexican immigration law is an invaluable asset to clients.

Immigration laws in Texas

The immigration laws in Texas—in any U.S. state—are governed by strict federal immigration laws. To be able to work in the United States, immigrants have various options, but perhaps one of the most common methods is to obtain a H-1B visa. H-1B visas allow non-immigrant workers to work in the U.S. for up to six years (three years that can be renewed for another two years, followed by one more year) under the sponsorship of an employer, who can apply for the visa up to six months prior to the start date of a foreign employee.

Immigration law can be complicated and confusing, with many requirements and guidelines that permit a foreign worker to work in the U.S., including the following:

• Education: In most cases, the employee must have the equivalent of a 4-year U.S. Bachelors degree.
• Occupational experience: An employee with at least 12 years of experience in the relevant field can bypass the educational requirement.
• Appropriate licensing: Professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, must meet all licensing laws.
• Local job advertising: Certain employers must have advertised the available positions within the country before bringing in foreign workers.
• Dismissal: If a company dismisses an H-1B employee prior to the expiration of the visa, the company is responsible for paying reasonable costs to move the employee back to his or her last foreign residence

Under the immigration laws in Dallas and throughout the country, the H1-B is generally a quick method for allowing foreign employees with specialized skills to start work at a U.S. company. When companies want to bring in foreign employees to work at jobs that do not qualify as specialty occupations, they may apply for an H-2B visa. Certain employees may apply for an L-2 visa, allowing them to work in the country for up to seven years, provided they worked for a company office outside of the U.S. and met other guidelines.

Accurate documentation saves time and money

Mistakes on immigration applications can cost a company valuable time and money.   At Ramirez & Associates, the law firm’s immigration attorneys handle all aspects of business or employment-based immigration.  Their services include:

• A careful examination of a company’s business plan to determine what type of application should be pursued
• Thorough documentation of each step in the immigration process
• Assistance with application preparation and submission

Applying for permanent residency

Employees who wish to remain in the country past the maximum six year visa requirements can apply for permanent residence via a green card, which extends most of the privileges of citizenship to the employee. But, in the absence of a green card, the employee must live outside of the country for a full year before re-applying for a new visa.

Helping hands in Dallas

Applying for immigration status without the help of knowledgeable legal representation can be time-consuming or ultimately unsuccessful.  Ramirez & Associates guides a variety of individuals through the process of business immigration.  The firm’s immigration lawyers in Dallas and Latin America work with: