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Is it even possible to go to the US and stay as a citizen? A lot of people have their own kinds of trouble when it comes to the process of immigration in their own countries. But could you succeed in applying as a US citizen while being in the US?

The immigration laws in the US are very strict. When you live or visit a country, immigration officers usually only let you stay for a certain number of days before they make you leave. But if this is what immigration officials do to people from other countries, how much more would it be like when US immigration applies these stricter measures? Continue reading below to know more.

Ways On How to Immigrate to The US While Staying in The Country

There are very special cases where non-citizens are granted immigration status in the US. Fortunately, there are immigration lawyers that will follow legal development and know how to help individuals who want citizenship in the US.

Naturalization

Naturalization can take up to 10 months in the US. You must have held a green card for at least 5 years in order to apply for naturalization. If you are married to a US citizen, it will be reduced down to 3 years. The immigration procedure under the Immigration Law is extremely time-consuming and complex.

You will also need to have a few eligibility requirements to pass naturalization. One is having a permanent resident status already. You’ll also need to demonstrate your ability with using English and have a significant understanding of US history and government. You must also have taken the oath of allegiance to the US Constitution.

Refugee or Asylum Status

This is another way of gaining US citizenship while arriving in the country. There have been cases where non-citizens have flown to the US and requested refugee status. Usually, applicants who have been granted asylum can apply as US citizens after a year.

Being Recognized as a Person with Extraordinary Ability

This refers to people who work in the business, art, athletics, or science sectors who excel in their field. They can apply as US citizens provided they can meet immigration rules and requirements as well as showing exceptional ability in their own field.

Individuals Selected for Diversity Visas

This falls under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or the DV Program. Annually the DV Program creates about 50,000 immigrant visas selected randomly among all the entries. The selection is chosen from countries with low immigration US rates.

Will You Be Able to Immigrate to the US?

Depending on your situation, pick the best choice that will work for you. The United States, however, has stringent immigration laws and regulations. So it’s best to get help from immigration lawyers to ensure that you meet everything necessary for immigration.

If you are not from a country where the United States has agreements with, try to ask immigration lawyers important questions or check immigration-related websites for immigration news and updates. If you can reside in the US while applying for permanent residency, these questions will help you determine your immigration status.

For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.

While there are plenty of places to buy wine online, Underground Cellar, a new Y Combinator-backed startup, has come up with an interesting new concept for wine sales, where customers can purchase package deals that include random, free upgrades to premium, rare, and private-stash bottles from a variety of wineries.

These wines can then be dispatched to customers right away, or they can be held in Underground Cellar’s climate and temperature-controlled wine cellar for on-demand delivery.

Users of the service can select their preferences ahead of time by indicating their preference toward reds over whites, sparkling wines over still wines, more affordable bottles over pricey ones, and so on. The choices they make dictate the type of wine that will be sent to them.

At launch, more than 100 wines are available for purchase from around $20 up to $500 a bottle or more, though some rarer or older vintages might cost even more. Customers can also pick out some “underground wines,” which are hard-to-find wines from exclusive vintners, such as a ’71 Hermitage La Chapelle.

These types of wines aren’t offered at any local or online store; customers can only purchase them through Underground Cellar. This way, customers will get an opportunity to taste something they might not be able to otherwise. Jeffrey Shaw, the co-founder of Underground Cellar, says he launched the company so wine could have more immediacy.

“For too long, it’s been a product that you needed to find at retail, and then there was no opportunity for buying online,” Shaw said. “The entire process is eroding people’s desire to try new wines.”

The startup doesn’t have a winery of its own, though. Instead, Shaw and his team have been working with different wineries around the world so they can provide their customers with a wide range of wines from all over the place. Thus, the company acts as more of an intermediary between wine sellers and wine buyers.

“We’re allowing wineries to distribute wines quickly and cheaply,” Shaw said. “We’re allowing consumers to try wines that they typically wouldn’t be able to find.”

The company’s wine cellar, which can store up to 10,000 bottles worth of product at any given time, is used as the fulfillment center where all these wines are shipped out to customers.

“When you re-order, your next shipment will return to the climate-controlled wine cellar until it’s ready to go back up for sale again,” Shaw said. “This earns money for us and allows you to try wines at pennies on the dollar.”

The model has proven attractive enough for the startup to attract $1.5 million in funding so far, including money from notable investors like Ron Conway and Y Combinator. The company is also working with an undisclosed partner who inspired the website’s name.

“He came up with this idea that you’re underground until you’re discovered,” Shaw said. “Our pricing goes away when it’s sold out, so you’re never overpaying for wine.”

 

David Cates discusses the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act and how it is being violated by multi-million dollar corporations who deny construction workers their rights to inflate their bottom line. This may be a surprise to some in the public, but Mr. David Cates, an award-winning trial lawyer, has been fighting on behalf of hard-working men and women for decades. He is known for his environmental work representing clients against polluters in the Midwest. However, he is especially noted for his personal injury trials, where jurors have often awarded him record-breaking verdicts.

David Cates is considered by his peers to be among America’s top lawyers. He is an expert in class action and mass tort lawsuits involving defective drugs, dangerous medical devices, and hazardous consumer products. He has been responsible for some of the most significant verdicts and settlements in these types of cases. In addition, Mr. Cates possesses an acute knowledge of Illinois’ complex laws which he uses to his client’s advantage and benefit.

He is a strong proponent of union rights and is fighting to protect all working men and women in Illinois who deserve their rights. This includes the prevailing wage, which he says is a right that mandates certain workers be paid fair wages with benefits for their work on public projects such as schools, highways, and bridges.

We asked Mr. Cates to share his knowledge about this critical issue and what the law states regarding prevailing wage. This will be a discussion of Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act so we can better understand how our hard-earned tax dollars are being used by corporations who benefit from them at the expense of workers.

We begin with a question: What is the prevailing wage?

“Prevailing wage is the pay scale of wages set by law for employees who work on public projects such as schools, highways, and bridges. Prevailing wage laws are primarily found in state statutes that require contractors on public construction projects to hire only workers who are paid at or above a certain rate determined by law.”

We then asked Mr. Cates how this law helps the average citizen.

“Well, the first thing it does is that prevailing wage laws provide everyone who works on public projects with fair wages and benefits paid for by taxpayer dollars. It provides workers with job security because it ensures all contractors compete equally for work. Prevailing wage makes sure taxpayers are getting what they pay for by ensuring quality work, fair competition, and legal wages.”

One might ask what the argument against prevailing wage is. We posed this question to Mr. Cates as well.

“The contractors who oppose prevailing wage claim that it costs too much because they have to pay more for labor than they made before. While this may be true at times, particularly where the contractors are already paying prevailing wages in their home state, it is not a fact in all cases. For example, in some states where the prevailing wage is listed as $20 an hour, companies will seek to pay $10 or $15, arguing that the cost of living is lower in another state. This happens regularly, and that’s why we have such broad support for Prevailing Wage across this country.”

We asked Mr. Cates what the difference is between prevailing wage and minimum wage.

“That’s a great question. Prevailing wage looks at multiple factors such as skill level and geographic location, among other considerations, to set fair compensation rates for employees working on public construction projects. Under federal law, state and local governments may pay less than the federal minimum wage to workers with disabilities. That’s not allowed under prevailing wage laws because prevailing wages are scheduled rates set for all employees working on public projects.”

“Another difference is that private contractors are required to pay overtime – usually time and a half or 1.5 times their normal pay rate. Under prevailing wage laws, public contractors have to pay their workers more than minimum wage. Prevailing Wage considers the skills of the people working whether it be skilled or unskilled labor.”

 

When we think of the Internet, we think of a place where no boundaries exist, and everyone who is able and willing to use it can access information and technology. But according to Michael Hingson, chief vision officer at accessiBe, this isn’t the case for many individuals with disabilities.

Writing for Forbes, Hingson discusses the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which he says has helped make buildings and public transportation more accessible to those with disabilities.

But when it comes to the Internet, Hingson notes that there are still significant gaps in accessibility. For example, many websites feature huge barriers for people whose ability to read print is impaired by conditions such as dyslexia. Others contain many images, which are useless without text descriptions.

“Taking it a step further, when you begin thinking about all of the different websites that come together to create an entire experience—the apps and programs that collect data for analytics purposes or perhaps enable payment processing features—it becomes clear how vast the accessibility challenge is,” Hingson adds.

Hingson points out that 380 new websites are created every minute, and programmers who attempt to make them more accessible can’t keep up. He also notes that there is no such thing as universal design for the Web, which would allow individuals with disabilities to personalize their online experience.

“We need a scalable solution,” he says.

Hingson believes that new artificial intelligence solutions can help solve many of these problems. For example, accessiBe provides text-to-speech capabilities for nonvisual browsers and allows individuals to customize the way they view websites by using voice commands.

“Programmers are only one part of the equation; we believe that AI can actually drive programmer behavior and scale development,” he says.

Hingson notes that the Internet is such a valuable resource for those with disabilities, and they shouldn’t be limited from using it like it currently is. Instead, he urges companies to take accessibility more seriously and find solutions that can help bridge the gap.

“We urge you to start thinking about how your company, your department, or even your product can play a role in making the Internet more accessible for everyone,” he concludes.

Hingson went on to say, “It is important to make it easier for all, rather than harder. Programmers alone cannot keep up with the creativity and ingenuity of those that create these products and services without considering accessibility. AccessiBe is a scalable solution that will help.”

“Inclusiveness is a fundamental right, not a privilege. All people, regardless of ability or background, should have the opportunity to benefit from the many benefits of technology,” Hingson said.

Hingson went on to say, “It is important to make it easier for all, rather than harder. Programmers alone cannot keep up with the creativity and ingenuity of those that create these products and services without considering accessibility. AccessiBe is a scalable solution that will help.”

In closing, Hingson said, “I am excited about the future of AI and what it will mean for accessibility on the Internet.”

 

Over twenty million people used Twitch daily in 2020. The streaming platform garnered over ninety-three billion watch hours by the end of 2020 and has continued its astronomic growth run into the current year. ESPN, which currently sits on about $50 billion in value, generates an average of four dollars per streamer.

Generally, the eSports industry is booming. The future is even more promising as virtual technologies grow, shooting average screen time numbers further up. What these giant eSports businesses do to keep enjoying the significant growth isn’t too much of a mystery. If you’re an inspired gaming entrepreneur, here are some tips on starting your eSports business.

Do Some Market Research

Getting your eSports business off the ground takes more than a great gaming or business idea. You may have to ensure your new idea is well-grounded before making it up the startup ladder. Conducting market research can help a great deal. From the “Dafran Overwatch” situation to Blizzard’s lawsuits, it helps to know everything the market is saying and what they mean for your business.

Going through all the long hours or even days in reading and building test cases to analyze your new business might look like a daunting task. However, it’s an important item you’ll need to cross off your checklist before your business goes live. The eSports industry is a numbers-crazy game, and building your business on analytics can be a great way to make an appearance on the scene.

Have a Niche

If only you get your market research right, it’ll be easier to know your niche. A niche is a specific position for your business in the entire marketplace. So are you building the next groundbreaking game? Or, perhaps you just want to focus on the eCommerce side of things. If so, it might be a good idea to check out an eCommerce online course at lambdasolutions.net. It’s a comprehensive eLearning and online course platform that offers vital resources that’s help boost your eCommerce skills.

Keep in mind that, no matter how magical your business idea is, you likely can’t do everything. And you most certainly cannot appear to be doing too many things at once. Picking a side keeps you lighter and prepares you for the long startup journey up ahead.

Seek Financing

The eSports industry is capital intensive. Gaming entrepreneurs can spend huge amounts of money on cutting-edge VR technologies to host their applications. So, after conducting market research (with a clear picture of your space in the market) the next step is to create a compelling story for selling your business. You and your affiliates can put up the sweat equity needed to move your business, but that might not be enough to make any strides in the game.

Collaborate and Network

Getting a successful business off the ground requires knowing the right people to move your business further up. You can start your business alone in your room, but you’ll need a long list of people to get it up and running. It doesn’t matter how you meet them, it could be in person, or you can hit it off online. What’s important here is the trust to keep a working business relationship for both parties. Collaboration can help you negotiate successful third-party partnerships that can reduce startup pressure, especially in terms of financing and competence.

Build a Community

Creating a community around your brand is a helpful way to ensure sustainable growth. A community of fans will influence their friends to try your game out. An investor community will do the same in connecting your business to the best financial opportunities you can find.

Community management in an industry like eSports can be a bittersweet situation. We’re talking about a GenZ market that has all the love and loyalty for whatever is cool. On the other hand, they are a powerful group of people, where one customer’s tweet can be all it takes to see everything crash.

For starters, who you are as a brand and what you stand for can draw the people you need. Generally, building a community requires consistent efforts to keep your eSports stakeholders in the loop at every step of the way.

 

Men are notoriously difficult to shop for. Modern men often prefer experiences – they want to spend time with you and go on adventures. This makes it hard when you want to give them gifts that they can hold and open.

Fortunately, there are a few gift ideas out there that can win him over. Check out these top gifts for any man in your life, from your significant other to your brother, cousin, or parent.

A Digital SLR Camera

Do you love traveling with your man? Do you explore new countries and local cities with exciting landmarks? If so, invest in a digital camera so they can improve the photos they take when you are out. The Canon Mark IV is one of the most popular models on the market right now. It has video recording technology and sensors to ensure your photos are always in focus. With a quality camera, you can catch the fine details of the shot and then upload the images to your phone with the built-in WiFi.

You can find many DSLRs at affordable prices, which can help you pick out a starter camera (and accompanying lenses) for the man in your life.

Quality Sunglasses

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Quality sunglasses remain one of the top accessories for men. Not only can a quality pair of lenses complete any outfit and reflect the personality of your partner, but they can also protect the eyes of the wearer.

Look for a pair of durable sunglasses that will last for years. They should offer UV protection and limit the amount of glare that goes through the shades. This can make it easier for the wearer to see when they are on the water or driving down the road. You also want them to be lightweight so they are easy to carry around.

It’s possible to find quality sunglasses under $100 that are still durable and fashionable. For example, you can find a cool pair of aviators or some tortoise lenses from Warby Parker. An investment in quality lenses is better than picking up some cheap sunglasses with a plastic frame at the local convenience store.

Hobby Classes

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Think about the last time you visited the beach. Did you man mention how cool it would be to learn how to scuba dive? Did he talk about potentially getting a captain’s license? While he might have been speaking wistfully, you can turn these dreams into realities.

Look for nearby classes that can help your man explore new hobbies and learn new skills. You can find weekend or evening classes that teach rock climbing, woodworking, beer making, musical instrument instruction, and other activities they have always wanted to try. Plus, once he has these skills, he can show them off and use them to do enjoyable weekend activities.

Closet Basics

Men will wear through their clothes incredibly fast. Their favorite pair of khaki shorts will get worn out while holes form in their socks. If you can see the state of your man’s closet, look for basic items that need to be replaced. You can also check to make sure you get the preferred brand and size he looks for.

While socks might not seem like the most exciting gift, they are essential day-to-day wear and serve as an opportunity for men to express themselves. Your man will appreciate that you saved them time from having to buy those items and they can keep wearing their favorite pairs of shorts or shirts – just without holes.

If you don’t know what to get the man in your life, look at what he likes to do. If he enjoys spending time outside, then a new pair of sunglasses with a modern style and lightweight frame could be a great gift. If they love taking photos with their phones, try updating them to a professional camera. These gifts don’t have to be expensive, but they should come from the heart.