Visa Bulletin

Every year, more than 100,000 applicants are selected and receive United States Permanent Residency through the Lottery system. While there are numerous other books that describe various methods of obtaining green cards, or general ways of obtaining one, no other book in the market currently covers this subject with as much detail.

In Immigration Law and Practice, authors Gansallo and Bernstein-Baker share with students and practitioners their extensive knowledge and practical experience to ensure just results in immigration cases. Immigration law is constantly in flux. Immigration Law and Practice, Third Edition offers a thorough, accessible, and practical approach to understand and apply U.S. laws and regulations to help protect refugees, bring needed workers to the U.S., prevent separation of and reunite families, and provide relief to foreign nationals facing removal proceedings. Attuned to the sensitivity and responsibility necessary to ensure just results in high-stakes immigration cases, the authors, who have a combined 35-plus years of front-line experience, provide readers with in-depth information and highlight readers recent changes and ongoing litigation where applicable. In addition, the book offers a section on enforcement in both the non-and employment-based contexts, providing avenues for discussions on matters of policy. They generously and freely offer their knowledge and insights into the complex legal issues faced by immigration clients, followed up by proposing strategies for the professionals seeking to help them. Professors, students, and legal practitioners new to the practice of immigration law will benefit from: Compact, accessible coverage of complex fluctuating U.S. immigration law and regulations, including: Nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2, F-1. H-1Bs, and visas for investment and trade. Immigration options for humanitarian immigrants such as asylum seekers, refugees, survivors of domestic violence protected by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), SIJ, U, and T visa applicants. Lawful permanent resident applications based on family relationships, employment, and investment, including adjustment of status, Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), and consular processing. Grounds of inadmissibility, deportation, and explanation of immigration court removal processes, including waivers and relief from removal. Naturalization and citizenship eligibility. Balanced coverage of statutory and procedural rules with practical insights to aid in problem-solving. Numerous cases for discussion, with responses on the companion website available to instructors. Frequent vivid examples and cases from real life to assist readers in translating legal rules and theory into practice. Tools for student success, including learning objectives, marginal notes on key terms, and many documents and illustrations from actual practice. A chapter on managing the immigration practice, including performing case assessment and interviewing. Website updates to keep students and faculty current with the latest changes in this fast-moving subject area.

Contents: (1) Overview; (2) Current Law and Policy; Worldwide Immigration Levels; Per-Country Ceilings; Other Permanent Immigration Categories; (3) Admissions Trends: Immigration Patterns, 1900-2008; FY 2008 Admissions; (4) Backlogs and Waiting Times: Visa Processing Dates: Family-Based Visa Priority Dates; Employment-Based Visa Retrogression; Petition Processing Backlogs; (5) Issues and Options in the 111th Congress: Effects of Current Economic Conditions on Legal Immigration; Family-Based Preferences; Permanent Partners; Point System; Immigration Commission; Interaction with Legalization Options; Lifting Per-Country Ceilings. Charts and tables.