Hi Msfullove!
Hopefully, I can help you figure out what you need. I've included a
lot of information below, so please feel free to request clarification
if it sounds confusing.
***
First, I want to highlight an interesting site I found:
USA Immigration Services
http://www.usais.org
--An extremely useful site that provides layman's terms and simple
quizzes to figure out which immigration path is best.
***
Essentially, there are three ways to get an immigrant visa: 1)
sponsorship by an immediate family member; 2) sponsorship by an
employer; 3) the diversity lottery.
Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland: IMMIGRATION TO THE
UNITED STATES
http://www.usembassy.ie/consulate/immigration.html
***
The Immigration and Naturalization Service web site provides
comprehensive information on sponsorship and permanent residency:
How Do I File an Affidavit of Support for a Relative?
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/howdoi/affsupp.htm
A brief quote from the site (there is A LOT more information on this
site that you should definitely go through):
"What is an Affidavit of Support?
If you are bringing a relative to live permanently in the United
States, you must accept legal responsibility for financially
supporting this family member. You accept this responsibility and
become your relative's sponsor by completing and signing a document
called an affidavit of support. This legally enforceable
responsibility lasts until your relative becomes a U.S. citizen or can
be credited with 40 quarters of work (usually 10 years.)"
Also note that in order to sponsor a relative, you need to provide
documentation that your income is 125% over the poverty line.
INS Frequently Asked Questions: Permanent Residency (Green Card)
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#greencard
This FAQ includes answers to the following questions, along with other
details:
"How Do I Get a Green Card through Employment?
How Do I Renew My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)?
How Do I Replace My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)?
How Do I Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While in the United
States?
How Do I Apply for Immigration Benefits as a Battered Spouse or
Child?
How Do I Remove the Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on
Marriage?
How Do I Bring a Sibling to Live in the United States?
How Do I Bring My Child, Son or Daughter to Live in the United
States?
How Do I Bring My Fiancé(e) to the United States?
How Do I Bring My Parents to Live in the United States?
How Do I Bring My Spouse (Husband or Wife) to Live in the United
States?
How Do I Get an Immigrant Visa Number?
How Do I Apply for Immigrant Status Based on Employment?"
The link below provides some procedural information for bringing a
sibling to the U.S. I'm not sure the relationship between the Irish
citizen and the U.S. citizen in your situation, so I'm simply
including this link as an example:
Petitioning Procedures: Bringing a Sibling to Live in the United
States
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/howdoi/sibapp.htm
A quote from the site above on children:
"Please note that you do not need to file separate visa petitions for
your brother’s or sister’s spouse or his/her unmarried children under
21 years of age. They may accompany or follow to join your brother and
sister. This includes adopted children who fit the definition of
adopted child in the immigration law (101(b)(1)(E) but not (F))."
***
The U.S. Department of State offers details on visas:
Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Frequently Asked Questions: Visas
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html
Highlighted below are several pieces of the FAQ that may be of
particular importance to you:
"Q: How can an alien become a legal permanent resident or green card
holder?
A: To become a legal permanent resident, an alien must first be
admitted as an immigrant. There are two basic methods for obtaining an
immigrant visa: 1) through family relationship with a U.S. citizen or
legal permanent resident, or 2) through employment. Specific
information is available from the Immigration and Naturalization
Service."
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html#ca23
"Q: What is the difference between an immediate relative petition and
a preference petition?
A: An immediate relative petition can be filed by a U.S. citizen on
behalf of a spouse, parent, or child. A preference petition is filed
by a U.S. citizen on behalf of a son or daughter, by a legal permanent
resident on behalf of a spouse, son or daughter, or child, or by an
employer on behalf of an employee."
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html#ca24
"Q: What is the process for obtaining an immigrant visa?
A: An alien must be sponsored by a relative or employer who files the
appropriate petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS). INS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa
Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The National Visa Center then
informs the beneficiary that an approved petition has been received
and provides instructions on next steps. As soon as a visa number is
available on a preference petition or as soon as INS approves an
immediate relative petition, the National Visa Center sends the
beneficiary instructions on the next steps to take."
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html#ca25
"Q: What fees are involved in obtaining an immigrant visa?
A: The cost of an immigrant visa is $260 (U.S.) for application and
$65 (U.S.) for issuance per person, regardless of age. There may also
be fees to obtain required documents, for certifying or notarizing
documents, and for the medical examination. The cost of the immigrant
visa itself remains constant, but other fees vary from post to post.
The applicant will be informed of fees by the processing post. The
fees are payable in U.S. and equivalent local currency. Cash is
acceptable at all posts; other methods of payment must be determined
by the processing post."
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html#ca32
"Q: How long is an immigrant visa valid? What if the applicant must
delay arrival in the U.S.?
A: The consul may issue an immigrant visa with a maximum validity of
six months. If an applicant must delay travel to the U.S. beyond six
months, he/she should contact the U.S. consulate and arrange to have
the interview scheduled closer to his/her possible departure. If an
immigrant visa has already been issued and circumstances force the
alien to remain abroad longer, the applicant should contact the U.S.
consulate and request an extension of the immigrant visa’s validity.
If the validity of an immigrant visa expires, a new one may be issued
upon payment of the statutory application and issuance fees (U.S.
$325)."
http://travel.state.gov/vo_faq.html#ca33
***
Depending upon where in Ireland the individual is from, the Walsh Visa
Program may be of assistance:
Walsh Visa Program Info Site
http://www.walshvisa.net/Info/
"The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program, also known as
the Walsh Visa Program, is a is visa program designed to assist
disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of
the Republic of Ireland in their transition to a peace-time economy.
The Program will grant 12,000 men and women from these areas
non-immigrant, working visas which will allow them to live and work in
the United States for up to 36 months. During their visit to the U.S.,
they will receive job training and develop conflict resolution skills,
aimed at helping their future careers.
The goal of the Program is to help participants develop a business and
cultural skill base, which can attract international and private
investments to their local economies and help promote the economic
regeneration of Northern Ireland and the border counties of the
Republic of Ireland."
***
More details from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin:
Nonimmigrant Visa
http://www.usembassy.ie/consulate/nonivisa.html
Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa
http://www.usembassy.ie/consulate/applications.html
***
Other relevant links:
Employment-Based Visas
http://travel.state.gov/visa;employ-based.html
Immigrant Visas
http://travel.state.gov/visa;immigrants.html
How Do I Get a Work Permit (Employment Authorization Document)?
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/howdoi/ead.htm
New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
http://travel.state.gov/new_student_law.html
--I've included this site as you mentioned a 12-year-old.
QwestDex.com: Your Online Directory Expert! WORK VISAS
http://content.qwestdex.com/cgi/legal.fcg?from=MSN2&articles=workvisas
"There are several kinds of visas that allow you to work in the United
States. Some of these visas are non-immigrant visas that are issued
for fixed time periods and usually specific jobs, and the rest are
permanent residence visas - green cards - that allow you work any job
and become a U.S. citizen."
QwestDex.com: Your Online Directory Expert! GREEN CARD
http://content.qwestdex.com/cgi/legal.fcg?from=MSN2&articles=greencards&checklist=yes
"A "green card" is an alien registration card carried by permanent
resident aliens. It entitles the holder to live and work in the United
States. After four years and nine months, a green card holder can
apply to become a naturalized U.S. citizen."
"Ways to get a green card:
* Labor Certification. The process of proving that there are
insufficient qualified workers to perform a specific job in a specific
region. This is typically a lengthy process.
* Outstanding Researchers. International recognition for being an
outstanding academic.
* National Interest Waivers. Professionals whose service would be of a
national interest to the U.S. can apply for a green card without a
sponsoring employer.
* Extraordinary Individuals. People at the top of their fields can
skip the labor certification process and apply immediately for a green
card.
* Family Immigration. Family-based green card applications. Except for
immediate family members-spouses, minor children, and parents-it is a
lengthy process.
* Asylum. The process for people who are in the U.S. and fear
returning to their country for fear of persecution based on their
race, religion, or membership in a political or social group.
* Lottery. A yearly drawing for a green card.
***
SEARCH STRATEGY
Essentially I used sites I knew already:
Immigration and Naturalization Service web site
http://www.ins.gov
Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State
http://travel.state.gov
I also did a bit of Google searching:
us embassy ireland
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&q=us+embassy+ireland
easiest way to become permanent resident
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&q=easiest+way+to+become+permanent+resident
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&q=us+embassy+ireland
***
If you would like to provide more details as to the exact relationship
between the people coming over from Ireland and the individual in the
U.S., I could give you more targeted information. Also, if there is
NOT a close enough family relationship, the Irish citizen may be
forced to apply through a work visa or the lottery.
As I said earlier, please feel free to request clarification if you
have any questions or need further research. I would like you to have
exactly the answer you want!
>Librarygopher |
