Rachel W. Moss, an immigration attorney with more than 10 years of legal experience, recently joined ShuffieldLowman’s corporate law section, assisting clients with complex business, employment and investor-related immigration issues. In addition, Rachel provides help to individuals, preparing immigrant petitions on behalf of families and handling citizenship matters and waiver issues.  She has specific experience working with Consulates in Europe, Asia and Africa, and provides comprehensive guidance in the areas of corporate and family-based visa applications.

Rachel is a member in good standing of the New York State Bar. Because immigration law is federal in nature, Rachel can, and has served clients throughout the US.    She also regularly advises clients located overseas on their best options when considering a move to the US.  Prior to joining ShuffieldLowman, Moss owned and operated a boutique law firm which focused exclusively in immigration law, including business/corporate visa applications, family petitions and immigration litigation.   

She earned her Law degree (LL.B.) from Leeds University, Leeds, United Kingdom, and her Masters in International and Comparative Law (LL.M.) from the University of Florida. She holds an additional Masters (M.A.,) from Nottingham University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Having lived abroad, travelled extensively and represented clients on a global level, Rachel brings a unique first-hand understanding of the needs and concerns of clients navigating US immigration law.

Green Card Information At-A-Glance

Did you know there are 5 avenues to obtaining a green card in the United States, and 10 main categories of people eligible for green card status?

The 5 avenues are:

• Family-based immigration
• Employment-based immigration
• Diversity immigration, otherwise known as the "green card lottery"
• Persons not subject to limitations

The 10 primary categories of eligible people are:

Family

1. Immediate relatives (parents, spouses and children of US citizens);
2. Other, non-immediate relatives of either US citizens or green card holders, such as adult children, brothers and sisters of US citizens;

Employment

1. Persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, managers and executives of multinational companies;
2. Professionals and skilled or unskilled workers;
3. Religious workers, Diplomat's children and Special Immigrants;
4. Individual investors willing to invest $1,000,000.00 in a business; (or $500,000.00 depending on the area);

Diversity

1. People from countries that have sent the fewest immigrants to the US are offered green cards through a random, lottery-type selection;

Refugees and asylees

1. People facing persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion in their home countries can seek refuge from future persecution through this avenue;

Long-term residents

1. People of good moral character who entered the US before January 1, 1972, and who have maintained continuous residence in the US are eligible for a green card;
2. People who have been in the US for 10 years or more may obtain a green card through a process called cancellation of removal.

Immigration law is complicated. There are multiple exceptions to every rule. It is important to discuss how specific details of your case apply within the relevant immigration law.