Los Angeles, CA asked in Immigration Law for California

Q: My mother has been in the U.S. for over 25 years undocumented. What are her odds of becoming a resident?

She gave birth to me in the U.S. and I'm now over 21. She was issued an old state ID which is now expired and is unsure as to where she stands.

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2 Lawyer Answers
Hector E. Quiroga
PREMIUM
Hector E. Quiroga
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Las Vegas, NV

A: A state ID is no evidence of any kind of lawful status in the United States.

You can file a visa petition for your mother, and depending on her circumstances, she can then apply for permanent residency. There are, of course, so complicating factors, namely her unlawful presence. We strongly recommend that you and she speak with an immigration attorney about the case.

1 user found this answer helpful

Nazanin Ghazi
Nazanin Ghazi
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sherman Oaks, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: I strongly recommend you speak to an Immigration attorney as soon as possible so that he/she can discuss the specifics of your case and explain how you can help her obtain lawful residency here. There are definitely options available as you are a US Citizen and over the age of 21. But you'd have to speak to an attorney and give them all the relevant facts and understand what option(s) are available and understand the path forward. A lot of attorneys offer free initial consultation to new clients (such as myself) so take advantage of that. Best of luck!

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