An adjustment of status can help to keep your family together

On Behalf of | Apr 21, 2023 | Adjustment of Status

When families want to stay together in the U.S., an adjustment of status can be a lifesaver. This process may allow individuals who entered the country lawfully to apply for permanent residency, which can prevent families from being separated due to immigration concerns.

Family members who adjust their status to permanent residency can freely work and live in the U.S. without fear of deportation, making it easier to build a life and stay together as a family unit. If you have a relative currently in the U.S. on a temporary visa, here is what you need to know.

Eligibility requirements for adjustment of status

An individual who is seeking an adjustment of status must fulfill certain requirements to be considered. First, the individual must be physically and legally present in the U.S. Undocumented immigrants and anyone who is in transit through the U.S. cannot apply for an adjustment of status.

Second, the individual must be eligible for a green card. This means that the person must qualify under one of the many categories that allow for adjustment of status. These categories include family-based petitions, employment-based petitions, refugee or asylee status and other special categories.

Third, the individual must not have engaged in unauthorized employment or violated their immigration status. The applicant must have maintained lawful status in the United States during their stay and must not have worked without authorization.

Lastly, the applicant must not have committed a crime that would invalidate their ability to obtain an adjustment of status. Crimes of moral turpitude, drug-related offenses and other criminal activity including fraud or misrepresentation concerning an immigration application can affect someone’s eligibility.

Get help with your adjustment of status application

The process of applying for an adjustment of status can be complex and time-consuming. It involves dealing with a great deal of paperwork, proof of eligibility and adherence to strict deadlines. Therefore, having reputable legal guidance when making an adjustment of status application is in your best interests.

Proper guidance can also help you avoid blunders that could delay or prevent you from realizing your dreams of a life with your loved ones in the U.S.