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.
Greenbank is an unincorporated community on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, USA. It has a population around 250. It is the location of the Greenbank Farm, once the largest loganberry farm in the world, and the Greenbank store, which is owned and run by the Coupe family, descendants of Captain Thomas Coupe, founder of Coupeville. Opened in 1904 the Greenbank store now has a deli with good sandwiches and access to the post office through a side door in the store. The farm is the location of Whidbey Pies and a Sunday market. At the farm, there are several things to do. The fields, which used to be planted with loganberries, blackberries and red currants, now have trails and several alpacas. Behind the barns at the Greenbank farm is a small marsh with a viewing platform recently built by the Whidbey Audubon Society. Many species of birds can be observed here including Red Wing Black-Birds and Warblers. On highway 525, one mile south of the Greenbank farm, sits "Guest House Log Cottages", on twenty five beautiful forest acres with wildlife viewing pond with six luxury log cottages, just for two. Nearby on Bakken road is the Greenbank Trading Post which specializes in antiques and used tools. Located on the corner of Bakken and Day roads is Greenbank Cellars, a winery with a small vineyard and tasting shop in an old fashioned barn. The winery is also the location of a 100-year-old Nickelodeon which is in operating condition. It is served by State Route 525. Very few people stop in the area, as it is more of a passing-through area than a way-point along the highway. Prior to 1997, Classic Road, about 2 miles south of Greenbank, marked the northern reach of the Whidbey Telephone Company. Today Whidbey Telecom and Verizon Communications serve the entire Greenbank area. However, unlike most places on Whidbey Island, the residents of Greenbank have a choice between the two phone companies, or can elect to have both. The advantage of both is being able to call anywhere on Whidbey, and several places in Skagit County without being charged for a toll call.