If you intend to live and work in the United States on a long-term basis, you will need to consider the best method of obtaining permanent residence. There are several different ways to obtain a green card. It is important to find the route that will allow your residency application to be processed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Adjustment of Status is a legal process by which an applicant applies for lawful permanent residence (a “green card”) inside the United States. The benefit of an Adjustment of Status is that, unlike a Consular Processing Application, you do not have to return to your country of citizenship to obtain your residency. This process of being able to complete your entire residency process here in the United States can understandably save a lot of time, expense, and stress.
Adjustment of Status also allows you to apply for a work permit to continue working in the United States and remain with your friends and family members while your application is pending. It also allows you, in certain cases, to request advance permission to leave the country for a brief period while you are waiting for your application to be adjudicated.
The basic requirements for Adjustment of Status are that you are eligible for this benefit under certain sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (under sections 245(i) or 245(a) for example) and that you have not become inadmissible for entry into the United States (for example, by committing a crime or misrepresentation). In certain situations, however, you may be eligible for an I-601 inadmissibility waiver.
There are many exceptions and caveats to these rules, so it is important to consult with a skilled immigration attorney to see if adjusting your status to that of a lawful permanent resident without having to leave the United States is available in your unique set of circumstances.
You have important legal rights that protect your ability to live and work in the United States. At Ahlgren Law, we fight hard every day to protect these rights and keep families together. For over 40 years, members of the immigrant community from all over the country have trusted our legal team to defend their right to live and work in the United States and obtain a permanent immigration status that allows them to remain with their families. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our many experienced and dedicated immigration attorneys.
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