Columbus Adjustment of Status Lawyers

Providing Assistance to Clients in Fairfax, VA, Columbus OH, Cleveland, OH, Southfield, MI, and Washington, D.C.

An “adjustment of status” is one of the primary paths to becoming a permanent resident of the United States. This method is for those who are physically present in the U.S. and have an existing nonimmigrant status (temporary visitor) that they wish to change or “adjust” to immigrant status (permanent resident, i.e. to receive your green card).

If you are physically located outside the U.S. or you are ineligible to make an adjustment of status, there is a different method that may be available to you called “consular processing”. Because this requires you to appear abroad at a U.S. consulate or embassy, this may be inconvenient or impractical for you. Making an adjustment of status is usually the more desirable approach.

An adjustment of status is appropriate after the filing of an immigrant petition or an application for asylum. The timing of filing the adjustment application differs depending on your circumstances. Examples of immigrant petitions include alien relative, an immigrant worker, special immigrant, or alien entrepreneur petitions. In certain instances, you can apply for the immigrant petition and the adjustment application concurrently.

The attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates are well-versed in the areas of adjustment of status and permanent residence applications and can represent you to assure that your application meets the regulatory requirements. We provide services in multiple states -- we serve Fairfax, Virginia, Columbus, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Southfield, Michigan, Washington, D.C., and beyond!

Contact us online or at (888) 915-5057 for a consultation.

How to Make an Adjustment of Status

You must have been “admitted” or “paroled” into the U.S., and you must meet all the qualifications for a green card (permanent residence status). Once you have been “admitted” or “paroled” into the U.S. as a nonimmigrant, you may then later make an “adjustment of status” by filing Form I-485.

Being Admitted

You are admitted to the U.S. when you present yourself to an immigration officer at a U.S. border, who may ask you questions concerning your purpose for entering the U.S., and who then approves your entry. The officer will usually stamp your passport with a proper nonimmigrant classification and the date through which you may remain in the country.

To be “admitted” there is no requirement that a border agent questions you or assign you any particular visa status. So long as you have presented yourself to an immigration officer at the border, you have not misrepresented your citizenship and you have been permitted to enter. It is important that you do not enter the country illegally without an inspection, as this will likely prevent you from later making an adjustment of status.

Being Paroled

“Parole” is when you are allowed to enter the U.S. for a temporary time based on urgent humanitarian reasons, or if your entry provides a significant public benefit, despite that you would otherwise be ineligible for admission.

Parole is often granted if you are fleeing unstable conditions in your home country when you cannot be granted refugee status. If you are paroled into the U.S., you will receive an I-94 stating the legal basis for your parole and your “parole-through date,” which is the time period through which you are allowed to stay in the U.S. Parole is a complex legal status, usually requiring advanced legal expertise and a tireless advocate on your behalf.

Temporary Protected Status & Adjustment of Status

If you have been granted temporary protected status, you may later apply for an adjustment of status, even if you entered the U.S. without proper inspection and admission. Temporary protected status now qualifies as “inspection and admission” for purposes of having and maintaining lawful status as a nonimmigrant.

Eligibility for an Adjustment in Status

Certain classes of persons admitted or paroled into the U.S. may not adjust their status under normal circumstances.