I live in a sanctuary city. What does that mean?
Sanctuary cities mean that local authorities will not work with the federal authorities and ICE This still doesn’t mean that you are necessarily safe, especially if you commit a crime
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I’m married to a U.S. citizen but I have a final order of deportation. Can I get a green card?
Being married to a U.S. citizen when a final order of deportation is ordered doesn’t mean that they can automatically become legalized Each case is very specific and should be assessed by an experienced immigration attorney
Read MoreWhat are Final Orders of Removal?
If an immigration judge orders removal, the individual must leave within the time frame that the judge says they should If the individual doesn’t leave within that time, the agreement to leave will turn into a final order of deportation
Read MoreWhat’s important to know about arrest records and applying for citizenship?
Individuals with a criminal record who wish to apply for citizenship should retain an attorney Some criminal records bar an individual from obtaining citizenship, including aggravated felonies
Read MoreWhat’s important to know about the 3 and 10 year bar?
Individuals who voluntarily leave the United States after illegally being in the country for 180 days may be barred for coming back for three years Those who are unlawfully here for a year or more may be subject to a 10 year bar
Read MoreWhat is the time frame for Consular Processing?
You will make an appointment with the consulate ahead of time, and go in that day for your visa. They will probably tell you that day whether or not you have been approved for your nonimmigrant visa. If you are approved, it will take about a week to process the visa. If you are put […]
Read MoreWhat are the documents needed for a Consular Process?
You will need a valid passport with updated passport photos. If you are applying for a visa based on your marriage, it is a good idea to bring updated evidence that the marriage is still ongoing, that it is a valid marriage, and if you have joint documents or have visited each other over the […]
Read MoreWhat happens during a consular process interview?
The Consulate officers will go over both your documentation and the application to make sure you actually qualify for the visa.
Read MoreDoes my US citizen spouse need to attend my Visa process interview with me?
Each consulate has their own set of rules and space to accommodate people. Look at the website to see if they permit spouses to attend the interview.
Read MoreWhat is a 3 -10 year Bar?
If you are in the United States illegally for more than 180 days and then leave the United States, you cannot return for 3 years. If you are in the United States illegally for more than a year and then leave the United States, you cannot come back for 10 years. The 3-year bar does not apply […]
Read MoreWhat should I do if my spouse entered the US illegally and I am a US citizen?
If your spouse entered the United States illegally, there is no way for them to adjust their status in this country. They would apply for a waiver here in the United States before they left, hopefully have it approved, and then apply for their visa at the U.S. Consulate abroad.
Read MoreCan I wait out the 3-year Bar and then reapply for tourist visa?
You can wait outside the United States for three years and apply for a tourist visa when you want to come back. The consulate office must agree to give you a visitor’s visa. Demonstrate to the consulate office that you have every intention of going back home after your visit in order to convince the officer that […]
Read MoreCan I file a waiver of the 3-year Bar?
If you are subject to the 3-year and 10-year bar, you are going to need to apply for a waiver. You must have a qualifying relative that can demonstrate extreme hardship. A qualifying relative for the waiver is a United States citizen or Green Card holder, spouse or parent. There is no provision in the law […]
Read MoreWhat is a N400 application?
Form N400 is the application to file for citizenship or naturalization. Form N400 requires all your biographical information: your evidence of work history, employment history, residence in the United States, and your trips outside of the country over the last five years.
Read MoreWhat are the requirements to file for citizenship and when can I apply?
You must have a Green Card for three years if you are married to a United States citizen or five years if you are not married to a United States citizen. You have to be over 18 years old, demonstrate both physical and continuous presence in the United States, and demonstrate that you are a person of […]
Read MoreCan I have Dual citizenship?
The United States does not recognize dual citizenship, but you can keep both citizenships. You are not renouncing your citizenship to another country when you apply for U.S. citizenship. The United States will not recognize your citizenship from a different country.
Read MoreCan I take the naturalization exam in my own language?
It depends on your age and for how long you have had the Green Card. If you are 55 years old and you have had your Green Card for 15 years, you can take the exam in your native language. If you are 50 years old and have had the Green Card for 20 years, you […]
Read MoreCan I travel while my naturalization application is pending?
You may travel while your naturalization application is pending. You must be able to go for your fingerprints at their request or your application will be delayed. You must be present for your interview and update your travel dates to make sure you are still eligible for citizenship.
Read MoreWill my arrest prevent me from applying for citizenship?
An arrest may not only affect your application for citizenship, it can affect whether or not you can keep your Green Card. The more severe the crime is, the more danger you are of actually losing your Green Card and being denied for citizenship. In general, if the case was dismissed, you may be eligible […]
Read MoreHow can I get proof of my child’s citizenship if they were born abroad?
You will have prove to the US Consulate that your child is a United States citizen, which depends on when they were born and how long you have been physically present in the United States. If you have been physically present your whole life and you just happen to be overseas for a year or on vacation […]
Read MoreCan I file my citizenship if I have been living outside of the US for 18 months?
To file for citizenship to the United States, you must be physically and continuously present for 5 years. You must be physically present for 2 ½ years and continuously present for 5 years. A trip abroad for less than 6 months will not interrupt continuous presence. A trip abroad between 6 to 12 months might interrupt […]
Read MoreCan I file for my citizenship if I am 18 years old?
You are eligible for citizenship as long as you are 18 years old, hold a Green Card for at least 5 years, and demonstrate good moral character.
Read MoreWhat is a Green Card?
A Green Card gives you the right to live and work in the United States permanently and potentially sponsor your spouse to come and live in the United States. After five years, or three, if you are married to a United States citizen, you have the right to apply for US citizenship.
Read MoreHow long can I stay out of the US without losing my Green Card?
Once you have your Green Card, you should not stay out of the United States for more than six months at a time because you may interrupt your continuous presence in this country. You will interrupt your continuous presence in this country if you stay out of the United States for more than one year at a […]
Read MoreHow can I sponsor my spouse, children or parents as a Green Card holder?
You are an immediate relative if you are sponsoring your parent, your spouse, or your child. They are eligible to change status if they have entered the United States legally and you can demonstrate the means to support your family over the poverty level, even if they have stayed here illegally for numerous years. They would file for […]
Read MoreHow can I renew my 10 year Green Card?
If you have had a Green Card for 10 years and it needs to be renewed, use an I-90 form.
Read MoreWhen can I renew my 2 year Green Card?
The 2-year Green Card is for two years, but it is important to see on the card that it will expire after a certain period of time. You have to file the 751, the petition to remove the condition, within 90 days of the date of the expiration.
Read MoreCan my employer sponsor me for my Green Card?
If you are illegally in the United States, an employer cannot sponsor you for a Green Card because you are out of status. If you are in status on an H1B or a student visa, your employer can sponsor you for a Green Card.
Read MoreHow can I apply for my children, if I have a Green Card?
If your children are here illegally, they probably won’t be able to get a Green Card. If your children are living abroad and you have a Green Card, you can file an I-130 petition and they can come to the United States. US Immigration allows a certain number of people to come into the United States […]
Read MoreCan I sponsor my parents if I have a Green Card?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. You can only apply for your parents once you become a United States citizen. If you have a Green Card, you can only file for your spouse or children.
Read MoreWhat are the requirements to file an Adjustment of Status, if I am married to US citizen?
Based on marriage, you need to show that you have legally entered the United States, the beneficiary, or the person has been covered under INA-245-I, meaning that they either filed a labor certification or some type of family-based petition before April 30, 2001. You are going to have to demonstrate it is a real marriage. The beneficiary, […]
Read MoreWhat will happen in my Adjustment of Status Interview?
At the interview, the officer will ask you basic questions about your marital status or your relationship if it’s a family-based type of application. You also must have documentation to show you are living together and that the marriage is legitimate. They are going to also want to make sure that the intending immigrant, the beneficiary, is admissible […]
Read MoreWhat documents are required at the adjustment of status interview?
They are going to want to see your original marriage certificate. If the case is based on marriage, they are going to want to see the original birth certificate of the beneficiary. If you are filing for a Green Card based on marriage and your spouse is a United States citizen, original proof of citizenship is required. […]
Read MoreMy Spouse died before my Adjustment of Status Interview, can I still adjust my status?
Yes, assuming that the marriage was valid and you can provide sufficient evidence. Likely you would file a different type of petition and it may take longer to obtain your Green Card status, but it is certainly possible.
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