ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS: OBTAINING A GREEN CARD THROUGH MARRIAGE TO A U.S. CITIZEN

Thank you for being here concerning your desire to retain my legal immigration services to assist you in the adjustment of status process for your new spouse. We are grateful for the opportunity to discuss the adjustment of status (AOS) process with you before you make this most important decision concerning which Immigration Attorney to hire to assist you in obtaining a green card through marriage.

Attorney Role in Special Personalized AOS Processing

Much of the adjustment of status process is document intensive involving the exchange of information between the client and immigration attorney. After ove 10 years of experience in preparing adjustment of status packages, we have developed a system that optimizes our legal expertise and provides our clients with an unmatched personalized experience, customized to their needs. We are on a first name basis with our clients and are available to answer client questions throughout the adjustment of status process. We have handled and overseen all legal aspects of the AOS process for many clients and are proficient at fast, accurate communication between us and our clients. We can eliminate approximately 98% of delays because AOS processing is what we do best.

Immigration law is highly complex and constantly changing, and the key to smooth AOS processing involves constant monitoring of the daily changes in immigration law. We subscribe to immigration services that send us daily emails concerning the ever changing AOS requirements by the USCIS. We are also monitoring international political events that impact the shifting of USCIS staff away from AOS processing so that we can accurately predict delays.

The AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process

The AOS process is made up of 10 phases:

Step 1:   Gather Documents & Provide to Attorney

Step 2:   Atty Prepares AOS Applications for Client Review & Signatures

Step 3:   Atty Packages & Submits AOS Applications to USCIS; Attorney Registered as“Attorney of Record”

Step 4:   Atty & Client Receive USCIS Receipts Acknowledging Successful Submission + New Legal Status (“Adjustee Pending”)

Step 5:   Atty+ Client Receives Biometrics Appointment Letter

Step 6:   Atty + Client Receive Temporary Work/Travel Permits

Step 7:   Atty + Client Receive USCIS AOS (Green Card) Interview Notice

Step 8:   Atty Conducts Telephonic Practice Green Card AOS Interview

Step 9:   USCIS Conducts Actual USCIS Green Card Interview

Step 10: Client Receives 2 Year “Conditional” Green Card in Mail

The USCIS green card interview (also known as “lawful permanent residence” and “adjustment of status” interview) usually takes place 5-12 months after the adjustment of status applications are submitted - it depends where you live in the U.S. At the conclusion of the 10 minute USCIS green card interview (which is held at the USCIS District Office closest to your residence) if all of your green card interview paperwork is in order and you have answered the questions correctly, the USCIS officer has the power to grant green card status immediately.

Hello Danielle,

"I have a good news. I received my GC yesterday. Just wanted to let you know, please find it attached.
Also I wanted to say thank you for incredible work. You helped and supported me in a very difficult situation in my life, and I still don't believe in fact that I have a Green Card!"

V and Family, from Russia (2009)

Why AOS Processing is Often Delayed

The majority of AOS cases are delayed due to the lack of accurate information available to the average U.S. citizen. The USCIS website is unorganized, out of date, and difficult to navigate. The USCIS staff who answer the USCIS customer service phones are not trained beyond reading the answers off the USCIS website. Information shared by applicants on blog sites is often contradictory and erroneous. 

Unrepresented applicants have informed us that they were unable to get the USCIS to update their address when they moved, and the USCIS interview notices were sent back to the USCIS undeliverable. As a result, their adjustment of status cases were considered abandoned and closed, without a refund of the USCIS fees. In other instances, applicants were unaware of changes in USCIS regulations and sent incomplete AOS applications to the USCIS which were either rejected outright, or delayed for two to six months, sitting in the USCIS mailroom.

We are officially at war in Iraq and possibly entering other conflicts in the Middle East. Every time the U.S. government shifts its military around and makes national security decisions, USCIS also shifts their staff to accommodate national security needs, slowing down AOS processing. Moreover, since 9-11, the USCIS has made changes to its background check procedures. For example, applicants are required to provide a computer scan of all 10 fingerprints (even though K-1/K-3 visa holders have already done so at the U.S. Consulate) so that the prints can be sent via computer to the FBI, Interpol, CIA, DEA, etc. If the computerized prints are lost or unreadable, the entire AOS process can come to a stop.

Finally, the USCIS provides unclear direction concerning what documents to bring to the USCIS green card interview. If only one document is missing at the USCIS green card interview, the adjustment of status process can be delayed for 2-6 months.

Expectations of Immigration Attorney

We charge a flat legal fee to provide personalized AOS processing legal services. We only take a limited number of cases, and often have a waiting list. Attorney Nelisse personally oversee each case, and feel it is important for clients to have access to her. After preparing the adjustment of status package for the USCIS, we will make a complete copy of the adjustment of status applications and supporting documents for our files, and another copy for your files.

We utilize overnight mail and do not charge extra for express mail, long distance phone calls or copies. We track your adjustment of status case while the USCIS is processing it to make sure the temporary work and travel permits are issued and to answer all of your questions. Also, while we are waiting for the USCIS green card interview to be scheduled, we want to know if you move, so that we can properly inform the USCIS. We let you know what adjustment of status interview documents to collect for the USCIS green card interview experience so that you have plenty of time to prepare. We conduct an extensive practice green card interview so that you pass the interview on the first try. We don't officially close your case until your USCIS green card interview is scheduled and the green card is granted.

Hopefully this information clarifies the issues surrounding the adjustment of status process and the role of an immigration attorney in adjustment of status processing. If you are the type of person who selects a legal immigration service based on its merits we are for you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask (either via telephone or email) and we would be happy to make sure that all of your issues are clarified before you make a decision.

Sincerely,

Danielle Nelisse
Immigration Attorney

CALL TOLL FREE FOR A FREE PHONE CONSULTATION ABOUT ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS WITH ATTORNEY NELISSE: (877) 884-6644

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