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.
Bogalusa is a city in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,365 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Washington Parish and is also part of the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area. Bogalusa was the home of B.B. "Sixty" Rayburn, Sr. (1916-2008), a 44-year member of the Louisiana State Senate, a confidant of the Long dynasty, and favorite of organized labor. Because of his power and longevity, Rayburn was often called "the Dean" of the Louisiana Senate. He was defeated in the 1995 general election by Republican Phil Short, then of Covington in St. Tammany Parish, who did not finish the term and relocated to Washington, D.C.. Rayburn's son, B.B. "Benny" Rayburn, Jr. (1944-2006), served as sheriff of Washington Parish. Tom Colten, later the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, was the business manager of the Bogalusa Daily News from 1948 until his relocation in 1955 to Minden in Webster Parish, where he served two terms as mayor. Tom Thornhill, a Slidell attorney and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1996-2000, was reared in Bogalusa and graduated from Bogalusa High School. Bogalusa native Henry "Tank" Powell represented Tangipahoa Parish in the state legislature from 1996-2008. He is now a member of the Louisiana Board of Pardons. Jerry Thomas, a physician in Franklinton, represented Washington Parish in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1992-2004.