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Questions Answered by Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: what is considered unauthorized work

Hi. I applied for US Permanent Resident in October 2019 and I received the card in April 2020. I am a relative of a US citizen. If someone wants to pay me for a voluntary work i did in January 2020, will that be considered illegal? what are the exceptions USCIS provides? Thanks

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 18, 2021

The question poses two issues: unpaid wages by an employer (regardless of immigration status), which I won't discuss, and the impact of work without authorization on a family-based petition. I will assume that you were granted lawful permanent resident status through marriage to a US citizen... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for North Carolina on
Q: Is it required/allowed to file i539(on b2 visa) if wife and i will be filing AOS(adjustment of status)

Is it required/allowed to file i539(on b2 visa) if wife and i will be filing AOS(adjustment of status) through marriage based green card. Exipiration of i94(b2) is a about month away. What if there is a delay in reciept of notice, should we file for i539 just in case, before her expiration/before... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 12, 2021

As a general rule, a B1/B2 non-immigrant visa does not allow a foreign national to have dual intent. Some foreign nationals are granted specific types of non-immigrant visas and could show a future interest in immigrating to the US while holding a non-immigrant status. I strongly recommend you... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Military Law and Immigration Law for New Mexico on
Q: When a veteran is disabled and need help from some body who live in other country. What steps He has to do? Maritza .

My husband and I are disabled and live along in the house, He uses a walker and me a wheelchair, have been very difficult because we don't have family close and some times one of us falls at dawn in the night and we have to tried to help our self take long time but we do.

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 10, 2021

This is not my practice area, neither I am in New Mexico. But you should reach out to the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services Department. https://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/our-services.aspx

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Alabama on
Q: I am a US citizen, have been married to a man that entered US illegally for almost 10 years.

Is there any way to get him considered legal, he has a tax ID because he is a subcontractor, he has never been in trouble. Got deported because of racial profiling, he has no tatts, had 1 earring at the time but the cop said he looked like a gangster.

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 10, 2021

I am sorry to hear what your husband went through. He should get an ITiN #; you could reach out to the tax preparers agency to see if they could assist you with that. Regarding his immigration status, I don't have enough facts to provide you with a more accurate answer. Still, he may be... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for California on
Q: LPR for last 30 years lived outside USA with limited trips back to USA. What is needed for her to move permanently to US

My mother has GC I551 (77 no exp) and has lived lived outside USA with limited trips back and forth to USA with no issue getting through US immigration until 2019 when they questioned and allowed her through on a Visa waiver, which states that her GC is no longer valid. Question is my mother is now... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 9, 2021

Hello, unfortunately, there is a presumption of abandonment of her LPR status based on the information. The green card that she was issued is a green card that did not have an expiration date. Green cards are only proof of status, not the status itself. Based on this set of facts, in more... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law on
Q: Can an approved i130 expire?

How long after the approval of i130 can a prospective immigrant wait to submit an affidavit from someone who meets the current guidelines? My husband lost his job, Im not sure if our approved i130 can "expire" if we dont go ahead with the immigration process soon. I dont know anyone else... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 26, 2020

I will assume that your husband intends to proceed with consular processing. As a general rule, the petition does not expired but if the petition was transferred to the National Visa Center for visa processing and you do not respond to their communication within a year, the petition may get... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for California on
Q: In the US on ESTA with American husband – can we petition and apply for adjustment of status while here - due to corona?

I'm a Swedish citizen living in London with my American now husband. We've been living together in Sweden and the UK for over 5 years, and just got married a month and a half ago in Sweden. We're in the US temporarily to visit family, before heading back to London to start the... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Mar 24, 2020

Dear Jennie & Thomas,

I am happy to hear that you are taking the necessary measures to be safe. The answer is yes. You can apply for your green card. I will strongly advise you to apply sooner rather than later to allow enough time for you to get a travel document so in the event...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Minnesota on
Q: Hello, i have a Master hearing today, so i was wondering because i don't have a lawyer yet. Must i have lawyer today?
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Jan 29, 2020

First, you do not need an attorney to represent you before the Immigration Judge; you can do it prose. It is crucial to discuss your case with an experienced immigration attorney to determine any forms of relief available to you if any.

If this is your first appearance/hearing, you can...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Ohio on
Q: Can you tell me more about the Liberian Refugee green card. I am from Jamaica living in the United States since 2010
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Jan 15, 2020

You must meet ALL of the following requirements:

1. You properly file Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status by Dec. 20, 2020;

2. You are a national of Liberia;

3. You have been continuously physically present in the United States during the period...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for California on
Q: My mom is under domestic violence cause my dad used to abuse her and she is in citizenship process and I'm 17 but my

Girlfriend is pregnant and lived in new Mexico while I am in California.can I move to new Mexico and continue my citizenship process without it affecting my mother ?

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Jan 10, 2020

Dear Future Dad,

I don't understand the question. If you like you can schedule a telephonic consultation with us in order to understand your concerns and better guide you.

Sincerely,

Patricia C. Wall, Esq.

Immigration Attorney

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for California on
Q: I'm 17 and my girlfriend is pregnant..but I'm currently waiting for my citizenship..I live in California and am wonderin

If I'm able to move to new Mexico and still hold my citizenship process

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Jan 10, 2020

Dear Future Dad,

If you decide to move while your application for naturalization is pending before USCIS you need to file a change of address form (Form AR-11) with the appropriate office. In theory, they are supposed to update the system and your naturalization interview should be...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for California on
Q: Hi My Ead clock stopped 15 day after that not running what is the reason ?

Hi My Ead clock stopped 15 day after that not running what is the reason ?

My clock stopped in may 2018 but now I already went in court November 2019 for my master hearing but now also my clock stopped not running same 15 days.. and my individual date in June 2020 

Now what I do... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Nov 15, 2019

Dear Asylum Applicant,

I am sorry to hear about your asylum clock issue. If you believe that your asylum clock was stopped in error you should contact the court administrator where your removal proceedings are pending and inquired about the issue. They will be able to tell you what's...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for North Carolina on
Q: How can my daughter become with 26 a US citizen, when father blocks access to the needed information to apply for it?

My daughter is 26 years old and was born in Germany (she still lives there now with her family).

Her father (US Citizen), was in the Army and stationed in Germany.

We were never married.

He is on her birth certificate.

Also did she have a military ID card for a few... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
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Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Nov 13, 2019

If she is not married you can file petition on her behalf and wait for the immigrant visa to become available.

There might be another avenue for her to immigrate to the US even as adult child of a US citizen but that will require and in-depth consultation with an experience immigration attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Kentucky on
Q: When can I apply for citizenship

?

My husband is in the military and is getting stationed in Germany next December that is December 2020. I am in his orders and i am aware that I qualify for expedite citizenship. I wanted to know how many days ahead can I apply for the citizenship??

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Oct 24, 2019

Dear Military wife,

Thank you for supporting your husband in his decision to be a member of the US Armed Forces.

You can go to the USCIS website and find helpful information regarding requests to expedite a naturalization application for spouses of military personnel....
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Family Law and Immigration Law for Arkansas on
Q: How can i prevent kids father of taking kids out of country he has custody of one and i have custody of the other

Their father already took kids to border and left with his family for 8 months.. I want to prevent this as well as reverse custody of my other child back to me..

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Oct 15, 2019

Madam,

I am not a family law attorney neither authorized to practice law in your state but you need to contact a family attorney in your area ASAP regarding this matter or if you don't have the means to afford an attorney you can contact legal aid and see if you qualified for their...
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3 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Connecticut on
Q: Removal proceedings married to usc age gap ?

I married to usc in removal proceedings? I’m 24 and she’s 45 we had age gap i have all supporting and clear and convincing documentation.

Joint lease .

Joint accounts .

Joint utilities.

Pics.

401k retirement beneficiary

Life insurance... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Oct 15, 2019

Congratulations on your marriage!

First, if the marriage took place after the initiation of removal proceedings, there is a general prohibition under the law to not approved this family petitions unless the petitioner request in writing and with Form I–130. The request must state the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Tennessee on
Q: Hello! Im married to US citizen and currently i-485 is pending. My attorney sent all forms. I received RFIE for i-485.

Can I sent response to RFIE myself, without using my attorney this time? Thank you

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Oct 14, 2019

I will strongly advised to the contrary. If you have a professional and diligent attorney you should, by all means, continue working with him regarding your application for lawful permanent residence in the US.

Please make sure that your attorney is authorized to practice law and has...
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6 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: Can I reapply for adjustment of status with my husband?

My husband and I were scheduled for our interview for change of status (I-130). We were having marital trouble and did not attend the interview. We have been to counseling and have decided to continue with the marriage but we already recieved the letter that the case was denied and I reinstated my... View More

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Aug 27, 2019

you can have USCIS reopen the I-130 proceedings by filing Motion to Reopen with 30 days of the denial.

Due to the ever-changing US Immigration laws, I strongly encourage you to consult an experienced immigration attorney to avoid any issues in the future.

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: Can I book my flight directly to Florida from the Caribbean island instead of going to Illinois where I was filed for?
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Aug 21, 2019

Yes, as long as you don't violate the terms of your visa. In abundance of caution, I encourage you or anyone to consult with an experienced licensed immigration attorney saving you time, money, and future headaches.

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Alabama on
Q: Hi i was married in the u.s but got married in india does that count as polygamy too even after i got divorced here u.s.

I was married in u.s when i got married in india in 2015 but later got divorced with my x wife in u.s in August 2015 can i still file for my present wife in india for i130 or isit a big problem since im Muslim and allowed 4 wives? Plz help im really confused

Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
PREMIUM
Patricia C. Wall-Santiago
answered on Aug 21, 2019

No. USCIS does not recognize polygamous marriages even if valid in the place of celebration. You will need to remarry your "second" wife (the one you married in India in 2015) to be able to file a family petition on her behalf. I suggest that you consult an experienced licensed... View More

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