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.
Ribera is a small unincorporated community in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. Located in the northern part of the state, it is next to Villanueva State Park at the foot of Rowe Mesa and along the Pecos River, 50 mi. southeast of Santa Fe. The town is divided by Interstate 25 and Route 3, which was along the original Route 66, and a great deal of evidence from the famous motor-tourist route still remains in the form of old rusted cars, and long abandoned structures. The area is home to many artists and ranchers. The town has one gas station and general store called Sunshine Station. The town has one restaurant that is a well known landmark throughout the surrounding area named La Risa Cafe (formerly known as the Sad Cafe); the hours of operation are sporadic. Ribera is home to two well known contemporary artists: Nicasio Romero (who founded the local El Ancon Sculpture Park) and the one named Cooper (who relocated from the east coast and has started a free artist residency program known as DarkRanch). East of Ribera is the site of the Imus Ranch, a non-profit organization that helps children of all ages afflicted with cancer. The former MSNBC program Imus in the Morning regularly broadcast from the Imus Ranch. South of Ribera is San Miguel, an even smaller unincorporated community and a former stop on the Santa Fe Trail. West of Ribera is the Glorieta Mesa portion of the Santa Fe National Forest.