Beaverton Adjustment of Status Attorney

Obtain a Green Card Today by Calling a Beaverton Adjustment of Status Attorney

Eligibility for Adjustment of Status

Only certain individuals in the United States can request adjustment of status. Here are the requirements:

1. You are present in the United States currently. If you’re outside the country, then consider applying through consular processing in your home country.
2. You legally entered the United States. An illegal entry can prevent you from obtaining lawful permanent status.
3. You fit an eligibility category:

• Family
• Employment
• Abuse victim
• Human trafficking victims
• Crime victims
• Refugee or asylee
• Other
• Registry

4. No statutory bar prevents you from adjusting your status. A bar might include unauthorized employment while in the U.S. or a sham marriage.

Many people are confused about whether they qualify. That’s okay—call Vanderwall Immigration to receive individualized advice and assistance. Never assume you are ineligible, because we can sometimes get waivers for statutory bars or address other roadblocks. You owe it to yourself to do everything possible to see if you qualify.

An Overview of the Adjustment of Status Process

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the green card program. Our law team has handled many green card applications, and we provide an overview of the process here.

First, you should review whether you are eligible. If there are statutory bars, you could potentially address them now instead of waiting to be denied later. A lawyer is a good resource for determining your eligibility for adjustment of status.

Second, you should have an immigration petition filed for you by a sponsor. The most common sponsors are family members or an employer. In a few situations, you can file your own petition. Let us check.

Next, you should check to see if a visa is available for your eligibility category. Visas are limited, so we recommend checking often.

Once a visa becomes available, you can submit your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to USCIS. Your sponsor does not submit this—you do. We can ensure your form is fully completed and accurate so USCIS can review it promptly.

USCIS should then send a notice for a biometrics appointment. This process helps confirm your identity and aids with a background check. Double-check the date and ensure you show up. You can’t skip biometrics.

USCIS might also request an interview. For example, they might want to follow up on certain information provided in your Form I-485. An interview gives them a chance to dig deeper if they have questions. Call our firm if you are about to interview. It’s best to be prepared so you can answer questions with confidence.

After you submit everything, it takes USCIS about 8-14 months to render a decision on your adjustment of status. If they deny your application, they should give a reason why. Read any denial notice carefully.

How a Lawyer Helps with the Process

The process for obtaining a green card is long and confusing. The government doesn’t hand out green cards easily, and USCIS increasingly is looking for signs of fraud or misrepresentation. You will benefit yourself greatly if you contact an experienced Beaverton adjustment of status attorney at Vanderwall Immigration.

Our legal team provides an immediate boost to your chances of receiving a green card. A lawyer can:

• Check if you are eligible. For example, we can review whether a family member can sponsor you for a green card.
• Identify possible bars to eligibility and address them in a timely manner. Some people enter the United States on student visas but begin working without authorization. That type of inconsistent action could prevent you from adjusting your status.
• Collect documents and information for your application. The application is detailed, and you want to provide all requested information in a complete manner. Any gaps or omissions can delay the review process or even result in a denial.
• Complete your application and submit it in a timely manner. You shouldn’t have to struggle through the form. We know what USCIS wants to see.
• Discuss a possible interview. If USCIS wants an interview, they probably have concerns about something in your background or information submitted on your form. We can walk you through the interview process and discuss how to approach it.
• Review why you were denied and consider the next steps. A denial isn’t necessarily the end of your journey. Some people request reconsideration or ask USCIS to reopen their application. We can identify the best approach.

 The disadvantages of working without a lawyer are well known—you make mistakes, apply for the wrong eligibility category, and submit the wrong documents. Avoid the headaches that come with these errors. Hire an experienced attorney today.

Information to Submit

USCIS reviews a lot of information when determining whether to grant a green card, and you should know what is expected going in. Below is a summary of some of the most important pieces of information:

• Name, mailing address, and most recent immigration history
• Filing category, including family- or employment-based, or some other category.
• Work history, including names and addresses of all employers.
• Information regarding family (parents, spouse, and children).
• Personal information, including race, ethnicity, eye color, hair color, weight, and height.
• Any arrests, prosecutions, or criminal history.
• Income and asset information.
• Educational achievements, including degrees, certifications, licenses, and so on.
• Illegal entries or other immigration violations.

You should review Form I-485 before attempting to complete it, and certainly reach out to our law firm if you have questions. Obtaining some documents (like birth certificates) can be a hassle since you are living in the United States. We can help collect documents.

Responding to a Denial

If USCIS denies your application, the first step is to find out why. For example, you might have a statutory bar that is preventing you from adjusting your status. Other applicants are rejected because USCIS thinks they might become a public charge. That means you won’t have the resources to support yourself if you become a lawful permanent resident.

USCIS rejects some applications because you did not provide sufficient information or the information you submitted can’t be confirmed by documentation. You should meet with our law firm to review any denial. USCIS should explain why they rejected you.

Some of those rejected need to return to their home countries, where you might apply for consular processing. However, it’s also possible to appeal the denial and stay in the U.S. for the duration, if this is the best option for you. Most denials can’t be appealed, but you can file a motion for reconsideration or to reopen.

Speak with our Beaverton Adjustment of Status Attorneys Today

The adjustment of status process has many hurdles that foreign nationals need help clearing. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vanderwall Immigration to schedule a personal, one-on-one consultation with a sympathetic attorney. We stay abreast of all changes in immigration law, including trends involving visas and adjustment of status. Call us today to schedule your confidential meeting.