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.
Balm is an unincorporated, rural community located in southeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, approximately 18 miles southeast of Tampa. It is the location of Goodson Farms packing house and vegetable/fruit stand. In 2005, Goodsons had begun rebuilding the stand on the intersection of McGrady Road and 301. It was completed in late 2006. There are also four tropical fish farms and a small holding area for Barnum and Bailey's circus animals. One well known landmark is the Balm post office, which has been part of the community for over 50 years. The small town is undergoing construction of new houses and may eventually be upgraded to a suburb, hopefully bringing mail delivery and broadband Internet service to the area. As of today, the town is constantly being neglected by the county. On January 17, 2007, it was announced that a previously scheduled mitigation project had been canceled. This was attributed to the weak real-estate.