Immigration & Nationality Law
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Attorneys |
Skelton, Taintor & Abbott attorneys advise individual, business and nonprofit institutional clients around the world in U.S. immigration and nationality law. We help our clients secure nonimmigrant visas, permanent residence (also known as a green card), and U.S. citizenship (naturalization). Our attorneys also advise employers on how best to comply with Department of Labor and USCIS requirements. We represent individuals in removal proceedings before federal courts. We also consult with criminal defense lawyers on collateral immigration consequences their clients may face.
One aspect of our practice includes helping individuals and employers secure nonimmigrant visa status, which allows foreign nationals to be in the United States for a particular period of time, and for a particular purpose. These categories include:
- B-1/B-2 visitors for business or pleasure
- E treaty investors
- F-1 students, including those completing Optional Practical Training
- H-1B specialty occupation workers
- H-1C registered nurses
- H-2A agricultural workers
- H-2B seasonal workers
- J-1 trainees or exchange visitors, including graduate medical students
- K-1 fiancés of U.S. citizens
- L-1 intracompany transferees
- Aliens of documented extraordinary ability and acclaim in the arts, athletics and science
- Professional athletes
- TN professionals under NAFTA
Skelton, Taintor & Abbott also counsels employers regarding the rights and obligations they incur when hiring foreign workers. Recently, it has become more important for employers to ensure that they comply with Department of Labor and USCIS record keeping requirements. In an era where even inadvertent omissions could subject employers to fines and forfeitures, we help our clients to understand their duties. Our attorneys offer training to human resources and management personnel, and will represent clients in the event of a Department of Labor, ICE or USCIS audit.
Our immigration attorneys belong to the American Immigration Lawyers' Association (AILA), the national association of attorneys who practice immigration law. We also support the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), and have assisted clients with seeking political asylum on a pro bono basis.
Based in central Maine, Skelton, Taintor & Abbott is a full-service law firm and has built a reputation as one of Maine’s most respected and effective legal practices. We serve individuals, businesses and government clients in Portland, South Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston, Auburn, Rockland, Augusta, Waterville and Bangor, as well as Androscoggin, Cumberland and York counties and throughout Maine.
