Services

Green Card for…

Filings for family members who are outside of the United States typically requires a two part process.  The initial process requires that a petition be filed with the Department of Homeland Security.  Once the petition is approved by Department of Homeland Security the petition is typically forwarded to the National Visa Center in the State Department.  Once the NVC finish processing the case the Applicant’s file is sent to the US Embassy or Consulate abroad where the family member who was filed for is usually interviewed.

Depending on the relative who is being filed for, the immigrant visa process can take many years to be completed.  In some cases however, the immigrant visa applicant may not be required to wait for a visa number to become available.

To avoid unnecessary delays and to facilitate timely adjudication of these petitions, it is advisable to use an attorney for the preparation and submission of documents.

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There are a number of requirements which must be met before a religious worker can adjust status. The most basic of which is showing that the applicant has been a member of the religious organization for a specific period of time.

And that the religious organization has the financial resources to adequately compensate the Applicant for her work as a religious worker.

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There are five basic requirements which must be established for an applicant seeking to obtain a green card because of spousal abuse or extreme cruelty.  The most basic is that of showing that a bona fide marriage subsisted  between the Applicant and her spouse.  Her Spouse must be a US citizen of a lawful permanent resident of the US.

She must also provide proof that she lived with the spouse, and that she was subjected to physical abuse or extreme cruelty by the spouse.  The last requirement is showing that she is a person of good moral character.

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Filings for an undocumented family member who already lives the US so that (s)he or he can complete the entire process for obtaining a green-card in the U.S. is typically referred to as adjustment of status. This process typically requires that the person seeking the green-card through adjustment of status meet certain eligibility requirements.

One possible requirement for Adjustment of Status can be as basic as showing that the green card applicant is in a bona-fide marriage to a US Citizen, if the Applicant is claiming eligibility for the green on the basis of marriage. Another likely requirement for adjustment of status is to show that the green-card applicant was inspected and admitted into the U.S. by the CBP. There are also many factors that may disqualify an individual from getting a green card.

It is therefore absolutely essential that the Applicant therefore seek to obtain legal advice from a competent Immigration Attorney before the submission of any green card application.

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Citizenship

The legitimate acquisition of U.S. citizenship is the only status that safeguards a person from deportation/removal from the U.S.  The importance of obtaining U.S. citizenship cannot be over-emphasized.  We strongly encourage those who are eligible for U.S. citizenship because they have been a permanent resident for five years (or three years when married to a US citizen). And who can demonstrate that they are persons of good moral character, to apply for U.S. citizenship.

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Asylum

The connection between human rights law and immigration law is probably most apparent in the representation of asylum seekers. Individuals who are forced to flee their country of residence because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion are generally protected from removal by the Immigration and Nationality Law of the U.S

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Deportation Hearing

Non-citizens who have violated the laws of the U.S. are particularly susceptible to deportation or removal from the United States.  There are many individuals for example who are or were the subject of criminal court proceedings and have taken a plea deal, without having a complete understanding of adverse immigration consequences that may arise because of such a plea.  It is therefore imperative that any non-citizen who stands as an accused in a criminal court case, consult with competent immigration attorney, even where the accused is or has been represented by a criminal defense attorney.

Next Steps…

Email, call, or message the Law Office of Caroline Stephenson to learn how she may be able to assist you, your family, or friends.

Call now! 347-451-4282 or 718-399-6000

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is intended strictly to be used for information purposes and to educate the public in a general manner. The information contained in this page should not be considered legal advice, legal consultation, expressed or implied representation or a formal or an informal retention of this office. To create a formal attorney-client relationship a retainer must be signed and a fee must be paid to this office. Our response to any of your questions, comments, concerns etc. does not establish an attorney-client relationship. By responding to your questions we do not consider ourselves your attorneys. The response to your questions is strictly informational in nature and should not be considered or used as legal advice in any manner. The information contained on this site is general information on immigration laws and issues. The general information that is included in this web page will not cover the various exceptions and loopholes that are prevalent in the Immigration laws. It is our intention that this web page will educate you and hopefully enhance your understanding of Immigration laws.