Immigration law determines whether a person is an alien, the rights, duties, and obligations associated with being an alien in the United States, and how aliens gain residence or citizenship within the United States. It also provides the means by which certain aliens can become legally naturalized citizens with full rights of citizenship. Immigration law serves as a gatekeeper for the border of the nation, determining who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave. Immigration lawyers represent persons seeking temporary and permanent residency (green cards) status in the U.S., those interested in obtaining U.S. citizenship through a process called naturalization, and clients facing deportation and removal. Immigration attorneys may also represent businesses seeking to secure temporary visa status for foreign employees.
Catheys Valley (formerly, Cathay and Cathey's Valley) is an unincorporated community in Mariposa County, California. It lies in Catheys Valley 22 miles (35.2 km) northeast of Merced, and 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Mariposa, at an elevation of 1325 feet (404 m). Catheys Valley has a population of 1,007. Catheys Valley was named after Andrew Cathey, a native of North Carolina, who settled in this valley around 1850. The ZIP Code is 95306. The community is inside area code 209.