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.
Eckhart Mines is an unincorporated town in Allegany County, Maryland, USA. Eckhart Mines lies at the southwestern base of Federal Hill, 2.9 km (1.8 mi) east of Frostburg and 1.3 km (0.8 mi) northwest of Clarysville. The town was originally founded as a company town for the nearby Eckhart Mines. The outcrop of the Pittsburgh coal seam here is known locally as the big vein or the 14 foot coal. The Eckhart Mines' location here was the first bituminous coal mine developed in the Georges Creek Valley coalfield because this is where The National Road crossed the coal outcrop. The Eckhart operation was owned by the Maryland Mining Company which eventually combined with other companies to form the Consolidation Coal Company.