U.S. Immigration Law

Legal procedures for Turkish citizens - U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services - BCIS (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service - INS)

Sources of information for Turkish citizens concerning U.S. Immigration rules and regulations

For Turkish citizens applying for U.S. immigration visa as student, businessman, investor, spouse of an American citizen, green card, green card lottery, worker's permit, and other visas, one of the most frequently used terms in immigration is "alien."

Alien is a person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or to an alien who is a resident in foreign contiguous territory, by a consular officer or an immigration officer for the purpose of crossing over the borders between the United States and foreign contiguous territory in accordance with such conditions for its issuance and use as may be prescribed by regulations.

Main legislation governing immigration, visas, and becoming a U.S. citizen is in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act that has provisions for aliens, foreign workers sponsored by American companies, students, those married American citizens, scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, research assistants, specialists, or leaders in a field of specialized knowledge or skill, and more.

Brief information on immigration law is made available by Cornell Law School covering the other Internet sources as well.

Review important changes in U.S. Immigration regulations

Here's some of the important changes made in the U.S. immigration law especially in 1986:

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) introduced major changes in increasing the responsibilities of American employers and provided amnesty for illegal aliens lived continuously in the United States before January 1, 1982

Most recent debate on reforming the immigration law is provided in an article by National Immigration Forum.

Find more information on immigration law

• Georgetown Immigration Law Journal

• Immigration and Nationality Law Review (University of Cincinnati)

Need to know about international immigration law and regulations?

• International Journal of Refugee Law

Important note: The content provided in this page is offered strictly for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any matter (please see our Disclaimer).