Areas of Service
Lawful Permanent Residence/"Green Card"
We know that most of our clients want the ability to permanently reside
in the United States, and they want employment flexibility. These goals
are achieved when the client is issued an alien resident card, also
known as a "Green Card." After a period of time, lawful permanent
residents may naturalize as U.S. citizens. Bander and Associates P.A. will
identify the best strategy for a client to obtain the "Green Card," be it through a job, family, or other means, including political asylum,
and we will guide the client through every step of the process.
Employment and Family
Based Immigrant Visa Petitions and Applications
Bander and Associates P.A. offers corporations, small businesses, individuals,
and families services to obtain employment and family-based permanent
residency in the United States, both of which have become increasingly
difficult and complex. Our immigration attorneys have the knowledge
and expertise to successfully maneuver through these intricate processes.
The firm offers comprehensive services in employment-based visa classifications,
most of which have built-in protections for the U.S. labor market and
often require labor certification by the Department of Labor. Our team
also handles all stages of family-based permanent residency, which has
been significantly impacted by complex legislation and regulations.
Alien Labor Certifications
This is the initial step for an alien to obtain a "Green Card"
through an offer of prospective employment. Bander and Associates P.A.
is an expert at the process known as "RIR" (Reduction in Recruitment),
which is an expedited process based on Department of Labor guidelines
under which an employer runs a test of the local labor market to establish
that it cannot locate qualified, available and willing U.S. workers
for the job offered. RIR allows completion of the process in several
months and allows the employer full control. Once the employer files
a brief report on its recruitment activities, the Dept. of Labor issues
clearance that permits the employer and the alien to proceed with the
green card process before the USCIS. This is a critical step as it lays
the foundation for the balance of the "Green Card" application.
Non-Immigrant Temporary
Employment Visa Petitions and Applications
Most aliens require specific permission from the USCIS to engage in employment.
There are so many categories through which this employment authorization
is granted (ranging from "B" to "V") that these
visas are commonly referred to as "Alphabet Soup" visas. Each
visa category provides a limited range of employment authorization.
It is important that your immigration law firm be well versed in each
of the specific visas and have the knowledge and experience to advise
you as to which will serve you best. While most are employer-specific,
Bander and Associates P.A. can arrange for a change of employer, and can
also arrange a change of visa category (usually permitted by the USCIS
while the alien is in the United States.)
Citizenship and Nationality
Services
Many immigration and nationality law firms pay no attention to the "nationality" part of their practice. We do. No only do we help lawful permanent residents
obtain U.S. citizenship through naturalization, we also provide the
following services:
- help individuals born abroad prove their parent-transmitted U.S. citizenship
- help
individuals who lost or renounced their U.S. citizenship get it restored
- assist
U.S. citizens living abroad obtain U.S. citizenship for their children
born abroad.
Investor and Entrepreneurial
Services
Investors and entrepreneurs seeking to do business in the U.S. need
to have the right visa to allow them to "develop and direct"
their business efficiently. Looking toward lawful permanent residency,
Bander and Associates P.A. will help the investor or entrepreneurial client
identify the best visa for their specific enterprise. Bander and Associates P.A.
has assisted investors and entrepreneurs arriving in South Florida for
over 24 years. Our attorneys' backgrounds in business management and
taxation is unique in the practice of immigration and nationality law.
Foreign Scholars
(MOVED FROM ORIGINAL LOCATION)
Our Bradenton office is uniquely staffed to work with foreign students
or scholars who are seeking temporary employment authorization or lawful
permanent residence. With nine years of experience in a university international
office, and as an active member of the Association of International
Educators (NAFSA), Gail Rawson, one of our most experienced legal assistants,
is available to assist foreign students, faculty and researchers on
a variety of issues. Initial consultations to currently enrolled international
students are free of charge. Our experienced professionals also offer
consultations to college/university international and human resource
offices on a wide range of matters pertaining to international personnel.
Immigration workshops and seminars can be arranged at no cost for groups
of foreign students and scholars. If you are a foreign student or academic
in need of sound immigration advice and services, or would like to arrange
a seminar or consultation, please email gail@bandervisa.com.
Deportation and
Removal
Representation in deportation and removal proceedings has become increasingly
complex. Bander and Associates P.A.'s success in this arena is driven
by our extensive knowledge and understanding of the governing laws,
rules and regulations. We offer aggressive strategies, often involving
complicated and intricate waivers and exceptions. We also work closely
with criminal attorneys to protect our clients' immigration status.
Federal Court Litigation
In accordance with our commitment to providing zealous advocacy for
our clients, Bander and Associates P.A. offers representation in Federal
Court. In this complex area of law, our vigilance and understanding
of the constant changes in the availability of Federal Court judicial
review of immigration matters equip the firm to provide clients with
aggressive legal representation and minimize bureaucratic delays.
Affirmative and Defensive
Asylum
Bander and Associates P.A. represents asylum-seekers before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Immigration Court. The
firm offers bold and comprehensive strategies to the challenges faced
by our clients seeking asylum protection under governing statutes, regulations,
and international laws that protect the rights of asylees and refugees.
The firm's services also involve the application of complex statutes
including Withholding of Removal and the Convention Against Torture.
Consular Representation
A visa in one's passport serves as an application to enter the United
States. It must be consistent with the purpose of the alien's visit
to the U.S. Given our separation of powers in the United States, the
USCIS may authorize a specific visa category but the U.S. Consul is charged
with ensuring that the granting of the visa (which is an application
to enter the country) is appropriate. Following 9/11, obtaining visas
at American Consulates is particularly problematic and requires more
skill, experience and understanding of the process than ever before.
With over 24 years of immigration law experience, Bander and Associates P.A.
offers its clients expertise in this specialized area of consular representation.
