Houston immigration lawyers at The Solomon Law Firm, P.C., have experience representing immigration matters including Employment Based Visas, Family Based Visas, Adjustment of Status, Green Cards, Detention Bond Hearings, and Citizenship / Naturalization.

1. Immigration Law Government Agencies And
Immigration Lawyers In Houston, Texas
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2. US Government Agencies and Their Duties - Immigration Law
Who is in Control of Immigration?
» There are multiple federal agencies that are involved in the immigration
process. They are responsible for enforcement as well as implementation
of the laws and regulations.
» Understanding which agency has what authority, and how to deal with it,
is important. This means that it is usually beneficial to have an
immigration law firm involved in the process.
Control of Immigration
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3. 1 The Department of State (DOS)
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• It is the responsibility of DOS to supervise the consulates and
embassies of the United States that are located in other countries.
• The foreign located consulates and embassies are responsible for the
processing and approval or denial of visa applications for people who
want to come to America.
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4. 2 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
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• This is the agency whose name we hear frequently when there
are discussions of protecting us from terrorist activities.
• It is also heavily involved in immigration matters, primarily through
the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service and the United
States Customs and Border Protection agency.
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5. 3 The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
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• The USCIS has primary responsibility for handling immigration
matters. It replaced what was known as the INS, or the
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
• It is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and it has regional
offices that help process visa petitions that are filed by persons who
reside in the United States.
• It deals with such things as approving extension requests for
nonimmigrant visas, approving changes in immigrant status,
naturalization applications, and so forth.
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6. 4 The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP)
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• This agency has the power and responsibility, among other things,
to identify people or things that might pose a risk to United States
citizens, and then refuse them entry into America.
• It is also responsible for encouraging legitimate trade while
preventing criminal and terroristic activities on the borders of the
United States.
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7. 5 The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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Agency (ICE)
• ICE is the agency that has primary investigative responsibility
when it comes to finding and removing persons and things that
threaten America’s borders, such as weaknesses in security for the
border, economic, transportation, or infrastructure.
• It also has authority to decide when immigrants should be detained
and removed.
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8. 6 The United States Department of Labor (DOL)
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• The DOL must approve labor certifications when employers want
to hire certain classes of workers who are foreign nationals.
• Without that approval, these classes of foreign workers cannot
obtain a visa to enter the United States. The DOL is also responsible
for helping protect workers and improving their working conditions.
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9. The Bottom Line
» Understanding the interplay of the various government organizations
involved in implementing the law is important to a full understanding
of US immigration policy.
» Contact our firm to speak with a knowledgeable immigration attorney
about your immigration-related legal matters.
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10. Texas Immigration Attorneys - US Immigrant Visa Lawyers
» Immigration law is complex, confusing and constantly changing. Unless
you are aware of the potential opportunities and pitfalls in the law,
dealing with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
(USCIS) can be a long, frustrating process.
» Applications are routinely denied for minor errors or omissions in the
large amount of required paperwork. This is why so many people rely
upon the services of a skilled immigration law attorney.
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11. » To learn more about immigration law, please review the general
information we have provided. To speak with an experienced
immigration attorney, please contact the Houston immigration law
attorneys at The Solomon Firm, P.C. today.
» Call for a free telephone consultation and if appropriate a free office
consultation where we can obtain the details necessary to evaluate and
handle your case.
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12. CONTACT THE SOLOMON LAW FIRM, P.C.
Main Office
510 Bering Drive, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77057
Toll Free 888.777.6391
Fax to 713.358.5513
www.thesolomonlawfirm.com