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.
Pomona is the fifth largest city in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 149,473. In 2005, its population was estimated as 160,815. Pomona is home to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) and the Western University of Health Sciences. Pomona College is in neighboring Claremont. The city is the site of the Fairplex, which hosts the L.A. County Fair and the NHRA POMONA RACEWAY Powerade Winternationals Drag Racing competition. and the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals. Since the 1980s, Pomona's newest neighborhood Phillips Ranch, experienced rapid growth with homes still being built in the hilly area between Downtown and Diamond Bar. Today, Phillips Ranch is nearly all residential. Northern Pomona has seen some gentrification with additional housing units added and revamped streetscapes. Pomona is located in between the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley.