Miatrai Brown, Esq.

Immigration Attorney

Miatrai Brown is an Immigration Lawyer based in Washington D.C. With over 10 years of academic and professional experience, her areas of focus include employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, family-based immigration, risk management assessment, and regulatory compliance. She began her legal career exclusively practicing immigration and nationality law as external immigration counsel to large U.S. corporations. After six years at top immigration firms working on matters relating to employment-, investment-, and family-based immigration, risk management assessment, and regulatory compliance, she opened her own practice, Direct U.S. Immigration. As a thoughtful and strategic advisor on immigration and related matters, Direct U.S. Immigration earned an impressive honor as Immigration Law Firm of the Year 2023 – Washington DC.

Education

  • American University Washington College of Law, JD
  • Virginia Tech, BA, International Studies with a Business concentration

Professional Achievements

  • Northern Virginia Top 40 Under 40 Award
  • National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Award
  • Emerging Women Leads in Law Award
  • Multiple Pro Bono Awards
  • Instructs and teaches Continued Legal Education (“CLE”) classes for attorneys completing their annual CLE requirements to maintain their U.S. bar license.
  • Provides expert analysis for top legal outlets, including Bloomberg Law and Law360.

Certifications & Organizations

  • Bar Licenses: New York & D.C.

Philosophy

Miatrai Brown's professional philosophy aligns with the belief in creativity and providing innovative solutions to the employer seeking specialized workers, an investor aiming to diversify their portfolio, or a family longing to reunite. Miatrai is committed to increasing her clients' access by offering comprehensive immigration support and delivering unique solutions tailored to their specific needs.

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Q&A Comments (10)

Can I obtain US citizenship or a green card by seeking asylum?
Obtaining U.S. citizenship through asylum involves applying for humanitarian-based green cards. Specific immigration statuses permit individuals to seek a green card. For instance, if you have maintained asylum status for a complete year, you are eligible to apply for a green card based on your asylum status.
What common mistakes should be avoided when filling out an immigration form?
Common errors in immigration applications often stem from inadequate knowledge about the current immigration procedures. One prevalent mistake is submitting outdated forms. For instance, applicants may use forms that were current when printed and prepared but become outdated by the time they are submitted, resulting in rejection if received by immigration even a few days late. Ensuring that forms are not only accurate but also up-to-date is crucial. Another common mistake involves incomplete or inconsistent answers related to the applicant. It is essential to provide thorough and honest responses, as any oversight, even something as seemingly minor as forgetting to mention a brief employment stint on a visitor visa application, can have serious consequences. In some cases, when an employer sponsors an individual for a green card and the individual later remembers and includes previously omitted information, immigration authorities might question the integrity of the original application, potentially leading to allegations of misrepresentation or fraud. This, in turn, could result in a permanent bar on immigration benefits.
What mistakes should I avoid when applying for Swedish citizenship?
Common errors in immigration applications often stem from inadequate knowledge about the current immigration procedures. One prevalent mistake is submitting outdated forms. For instance, applicants may use forms that were current when printed and prepared but become outdated by the time they are submitted, resulting in rejection if received by immigration even a few days late. Ensuring that forms are not only accurate but also up-to-date is crucial. Another common mistake involves incomplete or inconsistent answers related to the applicant. It is essential to provide thorough and honest responses, as any oversight, even something as seemingly minor as forgetting to mention a brief employment stint on a visitor visa application, can have serious consequences. In some cases, when an employer sponsors an individual for a green card and the individual later remembers and includes previously omitted information, immigration authorities might question the integrity of the original application, potentially leading to allegations of misrepresentation or fraud. This, in turn, could result in a permanent bar on immigration benefits.
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Co-authored Articles (18)

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Address a Letter to an Embassy

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Write a Character Reference

If you have never written a character reference letter before, it might sound like a challenge. While writing character reference letter is a big responsibility, there’s no need to worry. Whether it's for a job, an a...

How to Calculate and Pay U.S. Import Duties and Taxes

The internet has opened up a world of goods that you can buy and have shipped to you, whether you plan to resell or keep for your own personal use. But with international shipping comes international trade duties and res...

25 Ways You Can Be a Good Citizen: It’s Easier Than You Think

A guide to becoming an active member of your community Whether you're trying to establish yourself in a new country or living in the same country where you were born, being a good citizen is more about supporting and imp...

How to

Immigrate to New Zealand

Leaving one's current country in favor of New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a big decision. As New Zealand offers several options to immigrate there, each with varying difficulty, deciding the appropriate route to pursue will he...

How to

Get Irish Citizenship

You don't necessarily have to live on the island of Ireland to become an Irish citizen. Since Ireland recognizes dual citizenship, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship no matter where you live. If you were born in I...

How to

Get Swedish Citizenship

Sweden is a beautiful and prosperous country that attracts people from around the world. There are two typical ways to acquire Swedish citizenship: naturalization and notification. Depending on your circumstances, you mu...

Everything You Need to Know About U.S. and Canadian Dual Citizenship

Your complete guide to dual citizenship in USA and Canada The U.S. Department of State or Bureau of Consular Affairs and Citizenship and Immigration Canada allows for citizens to have dual citizenship, meaning it is not...

How to

Work at a US Embassy

A guide to getting hired at an American embassy abroadWorking for a United States Embassy can be a tremendously enriching and rewarding experience. Embassy workers are considered Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), and are ...

How to Get a US Green Card (without Marriage)

Expert green card guidance from immigration lawyers Many people see the United States as a place of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity. But there are many hoops to jump through before someone can join the more than 13 ...

How to

Get Dual Citizenship in Mexico

When you have dual citizenship, you’re a citizen of two different countries. Mexico and the United States allow this, which means you can become a citizen of Mexico without having to renounce your United States citizen...

How to

Bring Your Parents to the UK

Bringing your parents to the UK can be difficult, but it's quite doable under the right circumstances. As an adult, the only way to bring your parents over to the UK is if they require daily care, and you plan to provide...

How to Move to Another Country from the United States

Get your fresh start with a new country and a new lifeAre you ready to turn over a new leaf? Moving to a new country is a great way to begin a new chapter in your life, but it may seem really daunting. Starting over in a...

How to

Become a Korean Citizen

There are 3 pathways to citizenship in the Republic of Korea (ROK). If your parents were Korean nationals or if you marry a Korean national, the process and requirements are simpler. However, most immigrants becoming nat...

How to

Calculate Amount of Food Stamps

The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services funds the food stamp program in all fifty states. Officially, the food stamp program is the known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (...

How to

Become a Citizen of Mexico

Want to become a Mexican citizen? The process is similar to that of other countries, with plenty of paperwork, an exam, and some waiting time while your forms are processed. Be patient, work diligently, and ask questions...

How to

Get a Working Visa for Australia

Australia is a popular place for people who want to live and work outside of their home country. If you want to work in Australia, however, you’ll need to apply for and be granted a working visa before you can even con...

How to

Apply for Dual Citizenship in the Philippines

If you were born in the Philippines but lost your Filipino citizenship as the result of becoming a naturalized citizen of another country, you can apply for dual citizenship under Republic Act 9225 (RA 9225). If one or b...