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.
Lockhart is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Caldwell County. In the 2000 census the population of Lockhart was 11,615. As of 2007 the estimated population was 12,013. The city of Lockhart is named after Byrd Lockhart, an assistant surveyor of Geen Dewit and reportedly the first Anglo to set foot in Caldwell County. Byrd Lockhart is survived by James H. Lockhart and his family, who currently reside in Dallas. Lockhart was the site of a victory of the Texans over the Comanche, at the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840. The Texas Legislature proclaimed Lockhart as The Barbecue Capital of Texas. Lockhart has four major barbecue restaurants. The local style of barbecue cooking does not use barbecue sauce. The 1996 Christopher Guest comedy film Waiting for Guffman was filmed partly in Lockhart, including the historic courthouse square. Lockhart's Dr. Eugene Clark Library is the oldest operating public library in Texas. Lockhart was originally called Plum Creek but the name was later changed to Lockhart. Lockhart and the county of Caldwell County is within the Lockhart-San Marcos Micropolitan Stastistical Area.