1. Immigration

2. Jerry Tudela BIA Accredited Representative Bilingual with over 17 years of experience

3. Services Offered Family Petitions Residency Applications Citizenship

4. Centro Latino Non-profit Organization Recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals

5. Centro Latino 737 12th St SW Hickory, NC 28602 Office Hours of Operation: Monday –Thursday: 10:00 am- 6:00 pm Fridays: 10:00 am-1:00 pm 828. 441.2493 Immigration Services: Saturdays twice a month: 9:30 am- 3:30 pm

6. Immigration 101 Work Permit- Allows people to work in the US. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) The “Green Card,” allows people to live and work in the US, travel to their home countries, and is a path to citizenship. LPRs can apply for status for their spouse and children. Citizenship Citizens can vote, travel with a passport, and receive government benefits. Citizens can apply for their spouse, children, and immediate family members. Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migrantion Assistance).

7. Commonly Asked Question: Who can file a petition?

8. US Citizen Can file for: –Spouse –Children under 21 –Parents –Cost: $355.00

9. Minor children, spouse of US citizen- 1-1.5 years. Unmarried children over age 21 of US citizen- 4-10 years. Married children of US citizen- 7-10 years. Siblings of US citizen- minimum 12-23 years. For US citizens petitioning for their families: Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

10. LPR Can file for: –Spouse –Children under 21 –Children over 21 that are single –Cost: $355.00

11. For LPRs petitioning for their families: Minor children, spouse of LPR- 4-7 years. Children over age 21 of LPR- 10-13 years. Married children of LPR- can’t petition for legal residency. Siblings of LPR- can’t petition for legal residency. Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

12. Family Petition Preferences: First Preference –Unmarried sons and daughters of US Citizens

13. Preferences continued : Second Preference –For spouse and children, unmarried under 21 –For sons and daughters over 21 that are single

14. Preferences continued : Third Preference –Married sons and daughters of US Citizen

15. Preferences continued: Fourth Preference –Brothers or sisters of US Citizen

16. Family Based FamilyAll charge- ability areas except those listed CHINA- mainland born INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPI NES 1ST22JUL02 08OCT9215JUL93 2A01JUL04 15OCT0101JUL04 2B22JUN00 01MAY9201DEC97 3 RD 08AUG00 08AUG0815OCT9208JUN91 4 TH 01MAR9815NOV9701MAR9808APR9515MAY86

17. After the Petition is Approved: Adjustment of Status

18. Adjustment of Status : Inside the US –USCIS Outside the US –NVC

19. Section 245 (a) Cost: $1010.00 Entered legally with inspection

20. Section 245 (c) Cost $1,010.00 Beneficiary needs to prove legal entry

21. Section 245 (i) Cost $ 2010.00 If beneficiary entered without inspection

22. The Next Step After the Adjustment of Status is approved, the person can apply for a Social Security Number.

23. Visas for low-skilled workers In general the State Department gives 5,000 visas for low-skilled workers to come and work in the United States every year. The market hires about 400,000 low skilled workers every year. Source: Catholic Social Services, ALMA (Asheville Legal Migration Assistance).

24. The immigration process is very long and family separation is stressful and extensive. Due to current immigration regulations, people from countries such as Mexico and other Latin American countries are penalized with even longer waiting periods. Looking for opportunities for themselves and their families, many immigrants choose to make the dangerous crossing as undocumented immigrants into the United States.

25. Section 287 G In the opinion of Jerry Tudela, this is not working well because of the lack of information and communication between officials, and the strained relationship between the officials and the community.

26. Any Further Questions? Centro Latino –828. 441.2493 Jerry Tudela –828.275.4567

27. Sources http://www.acsblog.org/uploads/image/high%20court(1).jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hyECORLe2jg/RwFyIsd2rnI/AAAAAAAAAl0/eEl5 Fp7rO_c/s400/Citizenship+Test+AGC+100107.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hyECORLe2jg/RwFyIsd2rnI/AAAAAAAAAl0/eEl5 Fp7rO_c/s400/Citizenship+Test+AGC+100107.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RMqTjCmPuPY/R4pKhb0fkHI/AAAAAAAAAuM/D _1rONmbWTE/s400/united-states-flag.gifhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RMqTjCmPuPY/R4pKhb0fkHI/AAAAAAAAAuM/D _1rONmbWTE/s400/united-states-flag.gif http://www.immihelp.com/docs/images/sample-social-security-number- card.gifhttp://www.immihelp.com/docs/images/sample-social-security-number- card.gif http://www.jonco48.com/blog/US_20Mexico_20border.jpg Social Services, ALMA(Asheville Legal Migration Assistance)A Appreciating Diversity in our Communities: Latinos in Western North Carolina. (COLA- Coalicion de Organizaciones Latino-Americanas)