Yes, no, or maybe. This is a complicated question because there are so many types of “criminal backgrounds.” In some cases, you will absolutely not be able to get a green card, for example, if you have a conviction for drug trafficking. In other cases, you may be eligible to get a green card, but with a waiver (special permission) of the criminal violation that would otherwise make you ineligible for the green card. Read More
Green card Approved at US Embassy in Spain
Our client's immigrant visa (green card) application approved at US Embassy in Spain, and bonus? The client was able to travel to the US while he was waiting for the final approval. The US citizen spouse needed to return to the US before our client was able to get an immigrant visa, aka as a “green card.” We represented the couple as they were separated for over a year and half, during COVID, waiting for his Read More
What do I do if my spouse does not make enough money to sponsor me for a green card?
Get a Joint Sponsor! You may be able to ask a family member or friend to help. That person must be a US citizen or green card holder and must live in the US. This person will be “joint sponsor.” The sponsor will need to complete Form I-864 and provide required documents to show his/her current income. USCIS requires the income from your spouse plus income from the sponsor to exceed 125% of the poverty line for Read More
How much money does my spouse need to make to sponsor me for a green card?
The USCIS stipulates that your spouse must earn 125% of the poverty threshold for your household size in order to sponsor your green card. Your household size will be your spouse, plus you, plus any dependents who live with you (children or other dependents listed on your spouse’s taxes), and anyone your spouse has previously sponsored for a green card. In 2022, for a family of two (you and your spouse), your spouse Read More
What are “biometrics”? – Get Biometrics Appointment for Green Card with Cambridge Immigration Lawyer
“Biometrics” means a background check that USCIS runs when you apply for a USCIS benefit. With it, you’ll have your fingerprints stamped and your photo taken. Historically, all applicants had to appear for biometrics every time she filed any type of application, such as a work permit, TPS, or green card. Since COVID, USCIS has switched to waiving biometrics appointments for green cards if the applicant had USCIS Read More
Respect for Marriage Act signed by President Biden
On Tuesday, December 13, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act. A proposed law that would protect same-sex and interracial couples from discrimination. President Joe Biden remarked in his speech last Tuesday that, "Today is a good day, a day America takes a fundamental stride toward equality, toward liberty and justice, not just for some, but for everyone." In addition to the President's Read More
Can I work while my marriage-based green card application is pending?
Maybe! Some people are eligible to work even if their marriage-based green card pending after submitting the application because they have another visa that allows them to work. Others are not eligible to work with their marriage-based green card pending until a temporary “employment authorization document” is approved. Currently, USCIS is processing the temporary work permits very slowly…or not at all before the Read More
Can I travel while my immigration application is pending?
Unless you speak with an immigration attorney first, you should not leave or try to enter the US while you have a US immigration application pending. In many cases, you will be able to leave the US and enter the US while your case is pending. You may be in H1B status, which allows you to leave/re-enter the US while a green card application is pending. You may have advance parole, which allows you to leave/re-enter Read More
I’m married to a US citizen. Can I get a green card if I crossed the border to get into the US?
'Yes. Crossing the border—which is a certain type of illegal entry to the US—will not prevent you from getting a green card if you meet other requirements. The most important other requirements are (1) that your US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident spouse or parent will suffer extreme hardship if you don’t get the green card and (2) that you have an approved I-130, I-140, or I-360 petition or that you have been Read More
From Asylum to Happy Marriage-Based Green Card
After 8 years and with our help, our client obtained a marriage-based green card. He is finally a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States! Our team first started working with a wonderful, young gay man from a country where he was persecuted. Eight years ago, we filed for asylum for him--right at the time when the asylum system started to drastically slow down from about a 1-2 year timeframe to the current 5 to Read More
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