Sensible Americans Welcome Immigrants
The quest to share viewpoints that counter the negative rhetoric spewing from the administration ‘heading’ the American Government, was the impetus to invite U.S. immigration attorney Bianca Gay to make the case for why Sensible Americans Welcome Immigrants.
She. Nailed. It.
As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, has personal experience when it comes to understanding the perseverance it takes to thrive in an adopted country.
She is well versed and possesses a deep understanding of the challenges immigrants face while navigating a complex and ever-changing immigration system.
Drawing from her experience in working with creative tech startups and traditional financial services companies, she is brings wealth of experience to your family and business immigration case.
“Whether you’re in Massachusetts or California, I’m licensed to practice immigration law in all 50 United States- I’m here to help you wherever you are.” – Bianca Gay.
She travel to Haiti annually to volunteer at an orphanage outside of Port-au-Prince, and also provides pro-bono legal services to immigrant victims of domestic violence.
She has received the 40 Under 40 Award for her commitment to serving her community.
Note: Having an immigration attorney working with you, helps avoid undue stress. Work to your benefit, by seeking legal counsel from a licensed immigration attorney.
Mentions:
- Visitor Visa
- Tourist Visa – Business
- H-1B and H-2B
- VAWA and U Visas
- Unintended Overstay
Bianca Gay, MBA, J.D., Immigration Attorney
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
LawOffice of Bianca Gay, est. 2014
Specializing in Family Immigration | Business Immigration | Citizenship &
Naturalization | Deportation & Removal Defense
W: BGayLaw
E: bianca@bgaylaw.com
IG: @attorneybianca
T: @BJGEsq
By appointment only
71 Legion Parkway, Suite 22 Brockton, MA 02301
Mailing Address: Box 576, Stoughton, MA 02072
P: (508) 942-7497
It’s mind boggling how many people go to non-immigration attorneys for immigration work. Why risk your freedom. Hire a immigration attorney. – Bianca Gay
Let’s have a bit of fun, while we take a moment to consider what people electing to make America their home live with.
Do you think you have what it takes to correctly answer questions to pass the citizenship test? Yes? Test yourself, with the following sample tests, especially if you’re American.
The immigration exam published by NY Times.
Note: The following list of U.S. Visas include a select few discussed in the recorded episode and additional visa types drawn from the U. S. Department of State website. For complete information regarding any visa listed visit the official website here: U.S. Visa info.
Disclaimer: The following list is compiled of a combination of those discussed in the recorded podcast, and those drawn from the U. S. Department of State website. The complete list does not reflect the statements of, nor is it to be taken as quoted from Attorney Bianca Gay.
U.S. Tourist Visas
B1 Tourist Visa for Business
Consult with business associates
Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
Settle an estate
Negotiate a contract
If the purpose of the planned travel is business related, for example, to consult with business associates, attend a scientific, educational, professional or business conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then a business visitor visa (B-1) would be the appropriate type of visa for the travel. For more details on these and other activities that you can undertake while in B-1 status, visit Business Travel to the United States: Business Visas.
For entrepreneurs visiting the United States for business purposes.
B2 – Visitor Visa
Tourism
Vacation (holiday)
Visit with friends or relatives
Medical treatment
Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating.
Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
If the purpose of the planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, visiting friends or relatives, rest, or is related to medical treatment, activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature, or participation by amateurs who will receive no remuneration in musical, sports and similar events or contests, then a visitor visa (B-2) would be the appropriate type of visa for the travel. Persons planning to travel to the United States for a different purpose including students, temporary workers, crew members, or journalists, must apply for a different category of visa. You will find additional information on B-2 requirements on Tourist Visas.
Valid for up to five (5) years, this visa that allows visitors to the Unites States to stay for longer intervals.
Applicants must show they have ties to their home country and do not intend to live in the U.S. permanently or overstay. An Example: You may stay six (6) months in the country, and six (6) months outside of the U.S. territory.
Note: At the time of this interview, the current wait for an interview is approximately one month.
U.S. Student Visas
F Visa
University or college
High School
Private elementary school
Seminary
Conservatory
Another academic institution, including a language training program
M Visa
Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than a language training program
Exchange Visitor Visa (J)
Exchange visitor categories include:
Au pair and EduCare – Short-term Scholar
Government Visitor – Student, college/university
Student, college/university – Student, secondary
International Visitor (Dept. of State use) – Summer Work Travel
Professor and Research Scholar – Trainee
Exchange Visitor Pilot Programs:
Summer Work Travel Pilot Program: Australians
Summer Work Travel Pilot Program: New Zealanders
Intern Work Travel Pilot Program: Irish
WEST (Work, English Study, and Travel) Program: South Koreans
For more information see: Study Visas
U.S. Employment Visas
H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation
To work in a specialty occupation.
Requires a higher education degree or its equivalent. Includes fashion models of distinguished merit and ability and government-to-government research and development, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense.
As per Bianca Gay:
Granted for three years (six years max).
Temporary visa that is lottery based.
Company sponsored.
Expensive and extensive application process.
Employer can reapply to extend for an addition three years. After they
must apply for your green card, after you can apply for citizenship.
In demand due to the difficulty to hire Americans to fill high-skill jobs.
At one point an organization sued the government to see if these visas
were actually being given to the capacity.
H-1B1: Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional
To work in a specialty occupation.
Requires a post-secondary degree involving at least four years of study in the field of specialization. (Note: This is not a petition-based visa.
For application procedures, please refer to the website for the U.S. Embassy in Chile or the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.)
H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Worker
For temporary or seasonal agricultural work.
Limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions, if determined to be in the United States interest.
H-2B: Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker
For temporary or seasonal non- agricultural work.
Limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions, if determined to be in the United States interest.
H-3: Trainee or Special Education Visitor
To receive training, other than graduate medical or academic, that is not available in the trainee’s home country or practical training programs in the education of children with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
L: Intracompany Transferee
To work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current employer in a managerial or executive capacity, or in a position requiring specialized knowledge.
Individual must have been employed by the same employer abroad continuously for 1 year within the three preceding years.
O: Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
For persons with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or extraordinary recognized achievements in the motion picture and television fields, demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim, to work in their field of expertise.
Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
P-1: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group
To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group.
Requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
P-2: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)
For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States, and an organization in another country.
Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
P-3: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)
To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation.
Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
Q-1: Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program
For practical training and employment and for sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of your home country through participation in an international cultural exchange program.
For more information visit:
Travel.State.Gov U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
As per Bianca Gay, the following are other examples of visas granted and additional information:
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Don’t suffer in silence.
If you’re a woman experiencing domestic violence, know that even if you’re out of status, there is help through VAWA.
U-Visa
If you’re a victim of a crime and are able to assist in the prosecution of the perpetrator, the U.S. may grant you with a green card. DO seek legal guidance from an immigration attorney to learn more.
For more information visit: Other Visas
There ARE options to avoid deportation due to an unintended overstay.
Asylum Law
The process of being grant asylum is arduous.
You must show that as a result of your gender, race, sexual orientation would lead to persecution in your home country.
As the time of this recording, your interview is guaranteed within three weeks, because you can’t be deported while waiting for an interview.
You may be granted a work card to provide for yourself, so there is no need to be reliant on government assistance or subsidies.
NOTE: The information shared on the podcast or in written form is
not an endorsement, to be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please discuss your individual legal immigration needs with an immigration attorney licensed practice in your jurisdiction.
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