If you meet one of the many eligibility categories for immigration to the U.S. as a permanent resident (under a Green Card), and currently reside in the U.S. either as a legal visitor, a student, or under another legal status, you may be entitled to adjust your status without having to return to your home country. If you have gotten married, if you were employed under another visa and now qualify for a green card, or if you are now eligible for a green card due to meeting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services eligibility criteria, you may be eligible to apply for an adjustment of status.

If you are currently legally in the U.S. under a temporary immigrant status or as a temporary visitor and now are eligible for a Green Card, you may be able to apply for an adjustment of status. Before applying for an adjustment of status, it is important to consider your legal rights and to make sure you meet all requirements. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen are immigration attorneys in San Antonio, Texas who can review your situation and help you understand whether an adjustment of status is right for you. Applying for an adjustment of status when you aren’t eligible can be risky, so it is important to make sure you meet all criteria before applying.

Assistance with the Petition to Adjust Your Status

In order to adjust your status to a Green Card holder or permanent resident, you may need to have a petition filed on your behalf. The kind of petition you’ll need to fill out, and who will be required to fill out the petition, will depend on the type of Green Card for which you qualify. If you are applying for a Green Card through marriage, for example, your U.S. Citizen spouse may be required to file a petition to adjust your status on your behalf. If you are applying to adjust your status through employment, your employer may be required to fill out the petition on your behalf. If you are applying for a Green Card for humanitarian reasons or through another Green Card classification, you may need to fill out the petition yourself.

In order to adjust your status as quickly as possible, it is important that all petitions be filled out thoroughly and correctly and that all documentation be provided. If you are considering filing a petition to adjust another person’s status because you are a spouse, an employer, or if you need to file a petition on your own behalf, consider speaking to the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, an immigration lawyer in San Antonio, Texas today. Our lawyers can review your petition, help you understand your rights, and ensure that all documentation you send is complete and accurate.

Preparing for an Adjustment of Status Interview in San Antonio, Texas

Before your petition for adjustment of status is accepted, you may need to attend an interview. In some cases, you may not need to undergo an interview. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen is an immigration lawyer in San Antonio who can prepare you for the kind of questions you might encounter during this interview and who can help you gather documentation you may need to show during your interview. Generally, a great deal of preparation isn’t needed, but it can offer peace of mind to understand what you can expect during your interview.

Issues with Adjustment of Status Applications

Adjustment of status applications can be denied for many reasons. If you don’t qualify for the Green Card category to which you are applying, your adjustment of status could be denied. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen are immigration attorneys who can review your situation and help you understand which immigration categories are right for you.

Other situations could impact your adjustment of status application. If you overstayed your visa, your adjustment of status application could also be denied. If you have overstayed a visa or entered the U.S. illegally, you may not be eligible for an adjustment of status, and you could face deportation if you apply for an adjustment of status in this circumstance. Another situation where an adjustment of status can be denied is if the person who is seeking the adjustment has committed a crime that would render him or her inadmissible.

There are other circumstances where an adjustment of status could be denied, where having a lawyer can be helpful. For example, if you have a medical condition, you could face a denial based on your medical history. In order to protect your rights and avoid discrimination, the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen are immigration lawyers in San Antonio, Texas who may be able to assist you. In recent months there has also been increased concern that individuals who accessed certain federal aid programs or government assistance could be denied Green Cards. If you have accessed assistance for food, housing, or even accepted subsidies for medical care, you may want to speak to the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, immigration lawyers in San Antonio, who may be able to help you navigate the application process and prove that you are self-supporting. Another issue that can arise is when immigration officers suspect marriage fraud during an interview. If you are being wrongfully accused of marriage fraud, contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen are immigration attorneys in San Antonio, Texas who can help you appeal the decision or who can help you put together a strong application so that your adjustment of status will be more likely to be accepted.

If your adjustment of status is denied, you could face deportation proceedings. If you are facing deportation due to a denied adjustment of status application, consider speaking to the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, immigration lawyers in San Antonio, Texas today. Our firm may be able to assist you.