Adjustment of Status Lawyer in Fresno Helping You Apply for a Green Card

For immigrants who want to make their home in the United States and legally live and work here permanently, possibly becoming full U.S citizens at some point in the future, applying for a Green Card can be the first step. If you are applying from within the U.S., this process is called “adjustment of status.” There are a number of ways to become eligible for this process. Some of these include having a close relative who is a U.S. citizen, doing certain kinds of work or working for certain employers, having a refugee status or having been granted asylum, or having been harmed by crime, abuse, or human trafficking in your home country.

These are just some of the categories of eligibility; there are others that are more specific to individual situations. An experienced adjustment of status attorney from Bains Law Offices can not only help you determine your eligibility for the adjustment of status application but can also guide you through the complicated process of applying for Lawful Permanent Resident status in the United States. Call our Fresno office today at 559-890-1007 to get started.

How Do I Obtain a Green Card Through Family?

While there are exceptions for certain specific situations, most immigrants seeking a Green Card based on family connections go through the following process. If you have a sibling, parent, or spouse who is a citizen of the United States, that person can sponsor you in your quest for a Green Card, if they are willing. This sponsor will most likely file an immigrant petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) asking that you be considered for the adjustment of status. If you are the spouse, a child under age 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen, the process will be faster than if you are a more distant relative or applying under employment eligibility.

Once that petition is approved (or at the same time as your initial petition in some cases), you will fill out an application for a Green Card. After that, you will be notified of other requirements, possibly such as providing fingerprints, signing documents, and appearing for an interview. Not all applications require these steps, so be sure to read any communication from USCIS very carefully, or consult your adjustment of status lawyer for assistance.

What are the Benefits of Adjustment of Status?

While achieving Lawful Permanent Resident status has many benefits, there are some benefits that come from applying for adjustment of status, even before the Green Card is approved. You must apply for these additional benefits, and can do so at the same time as your adjustment of status application. One such benefit is called “advanced parole.” Advanced parole means that while your adjustment of status is pending, you can travel outside the United States freely without the travel affecting your application.

You may then re-enter the U.S. without having to apply for or receive a non-immigrant visa to re-enter. A pending adjustment of status application also can allow you to obtain an Employment Authorization Document, commonly known as a work permit, so that you can work for any employer in the U.S. Finally, your pending adjustment of status application allows you to stay in the United States even if you have no other valid immigration status.

What May I Be Required to Provide for My Adjustment of Status Application?

Besides the petition and application forms, there are some other things that may be required in the processing of your adjustment of application status. Biometric information, such as fingerprints may be required in addition to a medical report and vaccination record ensuring that public health requirements are met.

A criminal background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through its National Name Check Program (NNCP) may also be required. Gathering all of the necessary information to support your adjustment of status application can be time consuming and complicated. One of our skilled and knowledgeable adjustment of status lawyers can help. Call Bains Law Offices today at 559-890-1007.

Why Should I Hire a Lawyer for Adjustment of Status?

United States immigration law is complicated and changes often. For an immigrant who may not be familiar with all of the complex qualifications involved in applying for adjustment of status, the process can be overwhelming. Having an attorney that handles immigration law cases with the education and experience needed to help you navigate the tangle of forms and requirements can give you the best chance of success in your adjustment of status case.