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.
Discovery Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) in Contra Costa County, California in the United States about 60 miles (97 km) from San Francisco. As of 2006, the town's population was about 16,500. Discovery Bay is based on a waterfront community of 3,500+ homes with private docks with access to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Now Discovery Bay has grown and added Discovery Bay West which features gated and non-gated "off-water" communities with homes from 1,400 square feet (130 m) up to 4,700 square feet (440 m). In July 2007 Discovery Bay celebrated its maturity into its own community by changing the zip code from 94514 (which it shared with the neighboring town Byron) to 94505. A huge town celebration ensued with a world record-setting paddle boat raft-up.