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Immigrants and State Courts

Immigrants and State Courts

The New York Family Court Act & Federal Immigration Law, Policy & Enforcement

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Immigration Law Overview

What is Immigration Status?

Immigration status is extremely complex and fluid.

Status can be lost or gained.

There are many ways to gain lawful status. The most common paths to status include:

A person can lose their immigration status.

  • All non U.S. citizens, even long-time LPR card holders, can lose status. Once a person loses status, they can be deported or barred from reentering the U.S.

Example:

What does it mean to be undocumented?

  • A person is commonly referred to as “undocumented” if they were not inspected and authorized by U.S. immigration authorities to be lawfully admitted to the U.S.
  • But an undocumented person may be eligible to change their immigration status.

Example:

What is lawful permanent residence?

  • A lawful permanent resident (LPR card holder) can live and work in the U.S. permanently.
  • Lawful permanent residents are eligible to become citizens. However, they are still vulnerable to deportation.

The role of families

  • The most common way to gain immigration status is through a family member.
  • Most children derive their status from their parents.
  • And many individuals gain status through marriage.

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Immigration Law Overview

  • Federal Agencies and their Roles in Immigration
  • Inadmissibility & Deportability – Definitions
  • Who Adjudicates Immigration Issues?
  • What is Immigration Status?
  • Immigration Law Overview Slide Presentation

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