Steve Vardaman From Sarasota, Florida, Explains The Complex Road To Citizenship
SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, June 26, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Steve Vardaman From Sarasota, Florida, the immigration law expert, explains that the line for citizenship is incredibly long, sometimes leading to decades of waiting. The form itself is lengthy and complex and a simple mistake could derail the entire process. Indeed, the story of Syed Ahmed Jamal explains this, because he has completed the citizenship form many times. The first time he attempted to obtain citizenship was a decade ago, which started with an application for becoming a permanent resident, a requirement for those who eventually want to become citizens.
In 2008, Syed Ahmed Jamal's first petition for permanent residency was filed. This was a family-based petition, as he already had a brother who is an American citizen living in Atlanta. However, because there was a significant backlog in handling visas, the petition became ineligible. Naturally, an employer petition would also have been possible. In fact, Jamal had looked into this possibility, being employed by Kansas City, MO's Children's Mercy Hospital. However, in 2006, Jamal was laid off. In 2005, when still employed there, he had gone through the process of receiving an H-1B visa extension.
Jamal first came to this country in 1987, completely legally. He studied and obtained various bachelor's degrees and a master's degree. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, he overstayed his student visa. He, therefore, returned to Bangladesh, voluntarily, in 2002. Three months later, he obtained the H-1B non-immigrant visa and re-entered the country, again legally.
Usually, if people are able to receive a permanent residency within five years of their visa, they will often also qualify for citizenship. However, as Steve Vardaman explains, often does not mean always. Not just that, the application road itself is fraught with various dangers. Indeed, many people who end up fighting a deportation battle do so because they applied for citizenship. That is because the latter is not a given, even if someone has all the qualifications required. Rather, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approve or deny applications at their discretion based on moral character requirements, which are largely undefined. Jamal did overstay his visa and he had a traffic violation. Those may have been the reasons why his application was denied.
Indeed, Steve Vardaman himself often advises his clients not to apply for citizenship yet, particularly if they have solid permanent status. Jamal's case is anything but unique, particularly since President Trump's declarations of a deportation crackdown. In 2017 alone, there were 140,000 ICE arrests, a 30% increase from the past year. There was also a doubling in noncriminal arrests, of which Jamal was one.
Former President Barack Obama focused strongly on criminal arrests and deportations. This has changed under the Trump Administration, who will deport regardless of someone's criminal background. People like Jamal are not hidden individuals, however. They live, work, study, and raise families in this country. They are active in their community and make important contributions.
Unfortunately, Steve Vardaman has noticed that ICE officers often conduct arrests in the morning at either the domicile or place of work of their targets. This is precisely what occurred in Jamal's case, who was handcuffed while getting ready to take his three children to school. This came as a shock to the family and the children were left traumatized. This is particularly true since Jamal seems to have a work permit that will not run out until October of this year. Furthermore, for the past six years, he has adhered fully to the order of supervision imposed on him, including regular checks with ICE officials. In fact, his latest report was on January 7th, and he was arrested on January 24th.
Unfortunately, the process of being and remaining in this country legally as an immigrant is incredibly complex. Steve Vardaman recommends that foreign nationals take the time to research their options and the legalities of their status, particularly if they are considering applying for citizenship. He is also worried that the actions of the current administration will send more people into hiding, which could be of significant concern.
In 2008, Syed Ahmed Jamal's first petition for permanent residency was filed. This was a family-based petition, as he already had a brother who is an American citizen living in Atlanta. However, because there was a significant backlog in handling visas, the petition became ineligible. Naturally, an employer petition would also have been possible. In fact, Jamal had looked into this possibility, being employed by Kansas City, MO's Children's Mercy Hospital. However, in 2006, Jamal was laid off. In 2005, when still employed there, he had gone through the process of receiving an H-1B visa extension.
Jamal first came to this country in 1987, completely legally. He studied and obtained various bachelor's degrees and a master's degree. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, he overstayed his student visa. He, therefore, returned to Bangladesh, voluntarily, in 2002. Three months later, he obtained the H-1B non-immigrant visa and re-entered the country, again legally.
Usually, if people are able to receive a permanent residency within five years of their visa, they will often also qualify for citizenship. However, as Steve Vardaman explains, often does not mean always. Not just that, the application road itself is fraught with various dangers. Indeed, many people who end up fighting a deportation battle do so because they applied for citizenship. That is because the latter is not a given, even if someone has all the qualifications required. Rather, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approve or deny applications at their discretion based on moral character requirements, which are largely undefined. Jamal did overstay his visa and he had a traffic violation. Those may have been the reasons why his application was denied.
Indeed, Steve Vardaman himself often advises his clients not to apply for citizenship yet, particularly if they have solid permanent status. Jamal's case is anything but unique, particularly since President Trump's declarations of a deportation crackdown. In 2017 alone, there were 140,000 ICE arrests, a 30% increase from the past year. There was also a doubling in noncriminal arrests, of which Jamal was one.
Former President Barack Obama focused strongly on criminal arrests and deportations. This has changed under the Trump Administration, who will deport regardless of someone's criminal background. People like Jamal are not hidden individuals, however. They live, work, study, and raise families in this country. They are active in their community and make important contributions.
Unfortunately, Steve Vardaman has noticed that ICE officers often conduct arrests in the morning at either the domicile or place of work of their targets. This is precisely what occurred in Jamal's case, who was handcuffed while getting ready to take his three children to school. This came as a shock to the family and the children were left traumatized. This is particularly true since Jamal seems to have a work permit that will not run out until October of this year. Furthermore, for the past six years, he has adhered fully to the order of supervision imposed on him, including regular checks with ICE officials. In fact, his latest report was on January 7th, and he was arrested on January 24th.
Unfortunately, the process of being and remaining in this country legally as an immigrant is incredibly complex. Steve Vardaman recommends that foreign nationals take the time to research their options and the legalities of their status, particularly if they are considering applying for citizenship. He is also worried that the actions of the current administration will send more people into hiding, which could be of significant concern.
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