Immigration law is primarily concerned with controlling the entry of aliens, including the criteria and means for their selection and the basis and procedure for their exclusion; setting the terms of their stay in the United States, describing their various rights and benefits and the restrictions on their activity, particularly in respect of employment; establishing the grounds and procedures for their expulsion or, alternatively, relief from expulsion; providing for administrative and judicial review of the proceedings involved; and creating civil and criminal liability as a means of enforcing controls. This section is designed to help you navigate through the myriad of channels available for legal immigration and its pitfalls. 

2004 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2004)
Click  For Do-It-Yourself Instructions.

Click Full Text - 21ST Century Appropriations Authorization Act

The Green Card (Alien Registration Receipt Card) is obtained upon the approval of the immigrant visa or by adjustment of status. This Permanent Residency can be obtained through Family Sponsorship, Labor Certification through employer in the U.S., by National Interest Waiver or other special category for persons of Extraordinary Ability or the Green Card Lottery (Diversity Visa). With a Green Card, the applicant can work legally in the U.S. and it is proof of lawful residence within the U.S. (See also, Other Green Card Issues for helpful information.)

What We Can Do For You : We at the Law Office of Alan E. Heckler, P.C. can process any green card application or petition, whether on behalf of the company or the self-petitioning individual. Our firm tailors its services precisely to the needs of each client, which is at the core of our philosophy.  Alan Heckler, himself, evaluates the client's needs and creates the appropriate level and range of services.  Although he employs the services of a paralegal and other assistants, Mr. Heckler oversees and approves all work personally.  Because of his broad range of experience, we provide the best possible service.

Our mission is to provide efficient, high-quality legal service at a reasonable cost. We always use the fastest and most current means of filing with all governmental agencies. We are committed to growth through excellence in customer service. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and to stay informed about their case. We send out regular e-newsletters to all clients to keep them abreast of the ever-changing laws. Calls are returned as soon as possible, usually the same day. Moreover, we believe that our clients have the right to timely receipt of information and copies of all matters related to their case.

In an effort to serve you better, our clients can now login to our database via the Internet and check the status of their cases. Here you will find the latest actions performed on your case. Filing dates, priority dates, INS receipt numbers, and more. You are able to download the actual forms that we prepare and check for accuracy. You can then print, sign and send them to us for filing with the INS or DOL. This eliminates the back and forth mailing and saves you valuable time in getting your cases filed. Every time something is done on your case, you will be automatically notified by email. You can then login and check.

SUCCESS IF THE KEY

The firm's success rate is extremely high (99+%) since we do not accept cases that, in our opinion, will not be approved under current laws and regulations.

CASE EVALUATION AT NO CHARGE

We will evaluate your case at no charge. Before you pay anything, you will know YOUR chances of success.

Employment-Based Immigration :

EB1 or Priority Workers : Extraordinary Ability

EB1 or Priority Workers : Outstanding Professor or Researcher

EB1 or Priority Workers : Multinational Executive or Manager

Employment Based Second Preference (EB2)
For "members of the professions holding advanced degrees," and "aliens of exceptional ability."

Employment Based Third Preference (EB3)
For individuals who are "skilled workers, professionals, and other workers."

Employment Based Fourth Preference (EB4)
For "special immigrants" - including religious ministers, certain long-time employees of the U.S. government etc.

Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB5)
For those who invest one million dollars in a new enterprise.

Family-Based Immigration : (see also our Family Section)

Immediate Relatives and Family
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are: spouses, children, and parents.

Marriage
Marriages within and outside the United States

Diversity Visa :

Lottery
Since October 1994, there has been an annual permanent lottery program in place (Diversity Visa Lottery Program).
Miscellaneous :

Other Avenues
Examples are the asylum / refugee petition and certain types of applications available only in removal proceedings.