Every non-U.S. citizen wishing to enter and remain in the United States must comply with U.S. immigration laws. At the most basic level, the law concerns itself with three fundamental processes: admissions, naturalization, and removal of non-U.S. citizens.

• The admissions process is governed by a system of visas, each of which establishes specific terms and conditions for entering and remaining in the United States. These include a variety of both "immigrant" (permanent) U.S. visas and "non-immigrant" (temporary) U.S. visas. A visa granting permanent US residency is also commonly referred to as a "green card."

• Naturalization is the process of applying for and acquiring United States citizenship. This is not to be confused with the permanent visa (green card), which does not carry US citizenship benefits. To complete the naturalization process, people must satisfy a number of requirements that assess their eligibility for US citizenship.

• Removal, or deportation, occurs when a non-U.S. citizen loses the privilege to remain in the United States if relief from removal is not otherwise available. There are many grounds on which non-U.S. citizens - both non-immigrant visa holders and legal permanent residents - may be removed from the U.S. and thereafter barred from re-entering.

Our primary focus on this web site is on admissions (immigration) and naturalization. We have chosen to omit materials and other information on immigration enforcement because of the complexity and constantly evolving nature of the subject matter. The reader is cautioned to seek the advice of competent immigration counsel on matters pertaining to removal, inadmissibility, detention, and criminal conduct that often create impediments to U.S. immigration benefits and/or status.