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.
Ballinger is a city in and the county seat of Runnels County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,243 at the 2000 census. Ballinger calls itself "The Greatest Little Town in Texas. " Ballinger is the birthplace of former nationally syndicated entertainment columnist Lane Crockett (born 1942, who was primarily affiliated with the Shreveport Times. He has been called the "prince of performance critics. " George E. "Buddy" West, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Odessa who served from 1993—2008, was born in Ballinger in 1936. Ballinger is also known as the home of the 2003 3A High School Girls Cross Country State Champions.