When an immigrant receives lawful permanent residence status in the U.S., it is commonly known as getting a green card. Once granted, the recipient is authorized to live and work in the country permanently and enjoy the following benefits: Apply for U.S. citizenship after five years; Sponsor immediate family members to come to the U.S.; Receive Social Security benefits after working for at least 10 years; Read More
Family Immigration: An Overview of Visas for Immediate Relatives
If you are a U.S. citizen, immigration law allows you to petition to have your close relatives join you in the United States. These Immediate Relative (IR) Petitions may be filed on behalf of the following family members: Spouses Unmarried children under the age of 21 Orphans adopted abroad or in the United States Parents (provided the sponsor is 21 or older) Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, Read More
Seeking Asylum In United States
Immigration Law 101: Understanding Asylum You have the basic human right to enjoy a peaceful life. Unfortunately the world is not always a friendly place, especially if you are gay, bisexual, transgender, or part of a particular religion or political party. Every year, many people arrive in the U.S. knowing that if they return home, they may face persecution simply because of who they are or because of their Read More
What You Need to Know About Family Preference Immigrant Visas
If you have obtained residence or citizenship in the United States, the law allows certain relatives of yours to apply for immigrant visas and eventually become green card holders. The Immigration and Nationality Act specifies two categories: Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. This includes spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents. Applicants in this category have priority over other people seeking Read More
What You Need to Know About the Adjustment of Status to Get Your Green Card
Adjustment of status is the process of transitioning from a temporary, nonimmigrant classification such as visitor, student, or temporary worker status to permanent resident status (aka green card holder). Eligibility requirements can vary based on immigrant category, the most common of which are detailed below. Family Sponsorship To obtain a family-based green card via adjustment of status, a family member who Read More
4 of the Most Common Problems to Avoid in Same-Sex Couple Green Card Applications
Any marriage is under scrutiny when it comes to green card applications based on marriage. However, same-sex couples often face unique challenges simply because of the nature of their relationship. Some of the most common “red flags” in these applications are set out below. Once you are aware of these potential issues, you can phrase or present the information in your form in a way that will hopefully side-step Read More
Understanding Inadmissibility Waivers
When reading about ways to legally come into the United States, you will run across a long list of different reasons why someone may be inadmissible. If you find yourself to be inadmissible for one reason or another, do not give up hope! For many people who fall into this category, it is possible to submit an inadmissibility waiver so that it is once again possible to seek a visa. Examples of Reasons for Being Read More
An Overview of the K-1 Fiance Visa Process
The K-1 visa is designed specifically to allow a U.S. citizen to bring his or her fiancé(e) to the United States so that they can get married. This allows the foreign spouse to become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. There are several steps that need to be followed properly in order to get the visa approved without any delays. In this blog we generally talk about what needs to be done to properly obtain a Read More
What You Need to Know: Immigration and Same Sex Marriage
“After last week’s decision by the Supreme Court holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly. To that end, effective immediately, I have directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Read More
8 Types of Immigration Forms and Support
Figuring out a host of immigration forms intended for different purposes is no easy task. Navigating your way through them and understanding the one you need for your case can be tricky. There are immigration and support forms required, whether you wish to apply for citizenship, work in the United States, or sponsor a loved ones. Here is a quick list of the most common immigration forms. Explore these forms to Read More
