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.
Stevenson Ranch, California (in the 91381 ZIP Code) is an affluent Los Angeles County, USA, community in the Santa Clarita Valley three miles south of Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park. Santa Clarita is a growing community north of the San Fernando Valley and Greater Los Angeles Area. It has many new suburban one- and two-story houses in new developments, with a median value of $1,034,600. The area encompasses about 4,000 acres (16 km). About 1,000 acres (4.0 km) are set aside as parks, recreation areas and open space. One of the newer communities in the Santa Clarita, which was ranked number 18 of the top 100 places to live by Money Magazine in 2006, Stevenson Ranch is set in the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains and lies west of Interstate 5. This area backs up to the historic, oil-mining town of Mentryville, founded in 1875. A master planned community, it was approved by the county in 1987. The Valencia Marketplace and Stevenson Ranch Shopping Center are popular shopping areas in the community. The elementary, junior high, and high school are award-winning schools. The names of many streets located in Stevenson Ranch are those of famous authors. However, the street known as "Thackery Lane" is actually an incorrect misspelling that refers to the 19th century English novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray. It is also the filming location of several film and television productions, including the television show Weeds, a Showtime original series, as well as the feature film Pleasantville. Its master planned nature is at the heart of the suburban commentary of Weeds, such as the "Little Boxes" song and sprawling development portrayed in the opening of the show.