Inmigration
Residence through Family-Based Petitions
Petition for US Citizen’s Spouses, Minor Children, Minor Step-children, Parents, Married and Unmarried Adult Children, and Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): This involves the formal request (petition) made by a U.S. citizen to sponsor their spouse, minor children, minor step-children, parents, married and unmarried adult children, as well as siblings (brothers and sisters) for immigration benefits.
Petition for Lawful Permanent Resident’s Spouses, Minor and Unmarried Adult Children: Refers to the petition filed by a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) seeking to sponsor their spouse and unmarried children, both minor and adult, for immigration purposes.
Petition for Fiancé and Fiancé’s Minor Children: This involves the process of filing a petition for a fiancé (intending to get married to a U.S. citizen) and the fiancé’s minor children to obtain immigration benefits.
Adjustment of Status (In USA): Adjustment of status is the process by which an individual already in the United States can apply for lawful permanent resident status (Green Card) without leaving the country.
Consular Processing (Outside of the USA): Consular processing is the method of obtaining a U.S. immigrant visa (Green Card) through the U.S. consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country.
Remove Conditions on Residence: Joint and After Divorce: This refers to the process of removing the conditions on a Green Card obtained through marriage. It can be done jointly with the spouse or, in case of divorce, individually.
Interview Package Preparation: This involves preparing a comprehensive package of documents and information necessary for immigration interviews, ensuring a smooth and successful process.
Affidavit of Support: An affidavit of support is a legal document where a sponsor agrees to financially support an immigrant, ensuring they have the means to live in the United States without relying on public assistance.
Translations: Translation services are provided to convert documents into English, ensuring that all immigrationrelated documents are accurately and comprehensively understood.
Green Card Replacement: In the case of a lost, stolen, or damaged Green Card, this involves the process of obtaining a replacement to maintain valid immigration status.
US Citizenship and Naturalization
Naturalization through marriage (after 3 years): The spose of a US Citizen can apply for a Citizenship through Naturalization, after three years of marriage if they meet certain requirements. This process is a shorter way than the normal five years for other categories
Naturalization through other Family or Employment-based Petition (After 5 years): This is the proces by which US citizenship is granted to a Lawful Permanent Resident, after meeting certain circumstances
Derivative Certificate of Citizenship (for US Citizen’s Minor Child)
Citizenship Denial Appeal
Non-Immigrant Visas
- Tourism & Visitor Visas
- Business Visas
- Non-immigrant domestic Employee Visa
- Crewman Visa
- Visa Extension and Change of Status
Humanitarian Process
- Self-petition and Adjustment of Status for Widow(er) Abused Spouses, Children and
Parents (VAWA): This process allows aliens who have been abused by their US Citizen or Lawful Permanent
Resident relative the ability to independently petition for themselves (Self-Petition) for immigrant
classification without the abuser knowledge, consent or participation in the immigration process. - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA – Dream Act)
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 1st time and re-registration: For Salvadorans,
Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, Nepalese, Sudanese, and Ukrainians. - Work Permit and Renewal.
- Cuban Adjustment
Waivers – Exceptions
A waiver, in the context of immigration, refers to an official document or legal provision that grants an exception or relief from certain requirements or grounds of inadmissibility. It allows an individual who would otherwise be ineligible for an immigration benefit to proceed with their application.
Characteristics:
Purpose: Waivers are typically designed to address specific circumstances that would otherwise make an individual ineligible for a visa, green card, or other immigration benefits.
Consideration of Factors: Immigration authorities otien consider various factors, such as hardship to family members, humanitarian reasons, or other compelling justifications when evaluating waiver requests.
Application Process: Individuals seeking a waiver usually need to submit a formal request, providing supporting documentation to demonstrate why the waiver should be granted in their particular case.
- Discretionary: The decision to grant a waiver is otien discretionary, meaning immigration authorities have the flexibility to weigh the circumstances and make a judgment based on the merits of the case.
Waiver of Grounds of Excludability/Inadmissibility:
This waiver is specifically related to grounds of excludability or inadmissibility. Individuals may be deemed inadmissible to the United States due to certain factors such as criminal history, health issues, immigration fraud, or security concerns.
Characteristics:
Common Grounds: Grounds of inadmissibility can include criminal convictions, immigration violations, communicable diseases, security-related concerns, and other factors.
Application Requirement: To overcome inadmissibility, individuals may apply for a waiver by demonstrating that the denial of admission would result in extreme hardship to a qualifying family member, or by presenting evidence of other compelling reasons.
Waiver of Provisional Presence:
A waiver of provisional presence is a provision that allows certain individuals who are present in the United States without lawful status to apply for a provisional waiver, which, if approved, permits them to depart the U.S. for consular processing of their immigrant visa.
Characteristics:
Eligibility Criteria: Individuals eligible for a waiver of provisional presence must have a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent who would experience extreme hardship if the individual is not allowed to return to the U.S.
Purpose: This waiver aims to address the potential separation of families during the immigration process and provides a mechanism for individuals to seek legal status without extended periods of separation.
The waivers in immigration are mechanisms that allow individuals to request exceptions or relief from certain eligibility requirements or grounds of inadmissibility, otien based on compelling circumstances or humanitarian considerations. Waivers can be an essential tool in addressing unique and complex situations within the immigration process.