Get free answers to your Immigration Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I got married in September 2024, and my husband is undocumented. We agreed that I would sponsor him for his green card, but after two months of our marriage, he stopped financial support. I am unable to work due to a mental disability, and I require financial assistance for my needs and... View More 
answered on Apr 21, 2025
You may have a strong legal basis to recover the jewelry, valued at over 70 grams of 21k gold, taken by your spouse without permission. If the jewelry is your separate property (e.g., acquired before the marriage or as a gift), you retain exclusive ownership under California Family Code § 770. If... View More
I am a green card holder returning to the U.S. through LAX after staying overseas for about 11 months. Previously, I stayed overseas for just under a year and was only asked simple questions, such as which country I stayed in. With current immigration scrutiny, are green card holders now facing... View More
answered on Apr 13, 2025
Yes, you are more likely now than in the past to be sent to secondary and questioned on your lengthy absence from the United States. You should be prepared to provide an explanation for your absence and ideally have evidence of the cause for the absence as well as proof of your continued ties to... View More
As an IT expert specializing in AI with notable projects, currently residing outside the U.S. and looking to find a sponsor, I am considering applying for either an L1 or O1 visa. My goal is to eventually apply for an EB2 visa to obtain a green card and pursue citizenship in the future. Given my... View More
answered on Apr 11, 2025
L1visa is best if you already work for a multinational company with a U.S. branch, as it offers a clear path to a green card (especially through L1-A → EB-1C). The O1 visa is ideal if you have extraordinary achievements in AI (e.g., patents, awards, publications) since it allows you to... View More
I've been denied citizenship, and I suspect it is due to drug charges from 2015 that I handled myself. I completed the PC 1000 program to resolve these charges. I haven't sought legal help before. What should I do now regarding my citizenship application?
answered on Apr 7, 2025
Your inquiry regarding the denial of your citizenship application, potentially linked to 2015 drug charges resolved through the PC 1000 program, involves a nuanced intersection of California criminal law and federal immigration law.
Under California Penal Code Section 1000, successful... View More
As non-American citizens currently residing in the U.S., will our baby automatically receive U.S. citizenship if born here, and what impact might this have on our immigration status?
answered on Mar 18, 2025
Generally, a child born in the United States acquires U.S. citizenship at birth, according to the principle of birthright citizenship enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This citizenship does not automatically confer U.S. citizenship or alter the immigration status of the... View More
I have a fiancé visa case that USCIS sent to the NVC on April 19, 2024. My lawyer has been communicating with the NVC, but they stated they don't know where my case has been sent. What steps can I take to resolve this issue?
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answered on Mar 14, 2025
If the NVC loses track of a fiancé visa case, here’s what to do:
Check USCIS Status – Confirm your I-129F petition was approved and sent to the NVC via USCIS Case Status.
Contact NVC – Call +1-603-334-0700 or use the NVC Inquiry Form. Have your receipt number ready.... View More
I am a U.S. citizen, and my girlfriend from New Zealand is currently in the U.S. on an ESTA. She has been here for 67 days. We are considering getting married before her ESTA expires, and I want to know if she can apply for a green card while in the U.S. so she doesn't have to return to New... View More
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answered on Mar 10, 2025
Adjusting status is possible when you marry a US citizen even if you entered on ESTA. Once the I-485 has been filed, the applicant cannot leave until travel authorization has been obtained. Ideally the applicant entered without the intent to adjust but there is case law that could deal with this... View More
I am a Pakistani citizen and a permanent resident of the USA. I plan to travel to Pakistan for 40 days and have a valid US green card and Pakistani passport. I've traveled to Pakistan before without issues. Will there be any problems upon my return to the USA?
answered on Mar 10, 2025
If you have a valid Green Card, have not been outside of the United States for an extended period of time (6 months or more), have no prior arrests or convictions that can pose an issue, then you should not have any issues returning after your 40 day trip.
I am involved in a family immigration case, and the U.S. embassy has requested a joint sponsor, which I am struggling to find from Pakistan. I have never applied for a visitor visa before, but I want to visit the U.S. to personally search for a joint sponsor and also to save my relationship with my... View More
answered on Mar 8, 2025
OK before I answer your question, it’s important to point this out. I don’t know what your personal financial situation is but if you guys cannot satisfy the income test, you can satisfy the asset test if either of you have assets that equal three times the amount of minimum income required.... View More
My wife is in California, and we got married in 2018. I had an embassy interview in October 2024, and the immigration officer requested more evidence of our marriage and a joint sponsor since my wife's income is insufficient. When I informed my wife, she said she couldn’t find a joint... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
If your wife does not make sufficient income, or has sufficient assets, and if she cannot find a joint sponsor, then the state department will deny your spousal visa case. Remember that if she does not have sufficient income, she can substitute the asset test for the income test. So if she owns a... View More
My wife is in California, and we got married in 2018. I had an embassy interview in October 2024, and the immigration officer requested more evidence of our marriage and a joint sponsor since my wife's income is insufficient. When I informed my wife, she said she couldn’t find a joint... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
I would just like to add the following. If your wife does not have sufficient income, or sufficient assets to make up for insufficient income, and she cannot find a joint financial sponsor, then if you have sufficient assets, which would need to be $75,000 or more, then you could add that to your... View More
I want to know more about the process for filing an I-130 family petition for my parent. I haven't started the process yet and would like information on eligibility requirements and any potential challenges I might face. Additionally, I am looking for advice on finding low-cost or pro bono... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2025
A US citizen child over the age of 21 can sponsor their parent for a green card. If the parent is overseas, you can sponsor them and they would process at the US consulate in their country of residence. If the parent is inside the United States, you can sponsor them for adjustment of status and... View More
I currently have a 2 year green card with conditions and will need to apply to remove conditions using the form I-751
answered on Jan 30, 2025
A misdemeanor DUI can influence the outcome of your I-751 petition, but it doesn’t automatically mean a denial. USCIS reviews criminal records as part of the evaluation process, focusing on whether the applicant demonstrates good moral character. A single DUI, especially without serious factors... View More
Can the parents of a baby born in USA deny US citizenship for their baby and choose to opt for the parents citizenship instead. Kindly consider that both parents are citizens of India. Thank you!
answered on Jan 28, 2025
A child born in the Untied States is considered a United States Citizen at the time of birth under the 14th Amendment. In addition, if the other country recognizes dual citizenship, then yes a child could have more than one citizenship as the US currently recognizes dual citizenship. I would speak... View More
I am just beginning my journey... but I want to bring my girlfriend to USA to marry. I need help through the process. Can someone explain what is needed? Cost, What paperwork for the application, the history of our families, the timing, interviews and what to expect please?
I know my... View More
answered on Nov 19, 2024
A fiancée petition should be filed using Form I-129F. The filing fee is $675. It could take about a year or so to get a decision after which your fiancée will need to schedule a K1 visa interview at the US embassy in Manila and pay a $265 fee and medical exam fee. Work with an immigration attorney
I am just beginning my journey... but I want to bring my girlfriend to USA to marry. I need help through the process. Can someone explain what is needed? Cost, What paperwork for the application, the history of our families, the timing, interviews and what to expect please?
I know my... View More
answered on Nov 20, 2024
There are many forms and many documents in the journey to process your fiancé to become legal in America. The best approach is to contact an immigration attorney for a consultation on the phone to go over the process because it can be a little complicated. If you are not working right now, or you... View More
answered on Nov 13, 2024
Be forewarned that she may try to enforce the I-864 affidavit of support that you filed with your Immigration case.
Even if a spouse immigrant is denied alimony in divorce proceeding, she or he can seek support as set out under form I-864. Further, the spouse immigrant has no obligation to... View More
I’m an 18 years old italian citizen, and i’m planning on applying for a B2 visa due to my love for tourism.
I’ve heard that the approval of the B2 visa is mainly based on my ties to my home country, in this case Italy.
Are my job and my school considered a strong tie to my... View More
answered on Oct 14, 2024
When a tourist visa interview is conducted, you are correct that they are looking at your home ties. A tourist visa is a non-immigrant visa meaning, when one applies for it they have to show that they have an intent to return home, and the more ties you can show you have to your home country (the... View More
I’m an italian citizen who’s also a legal temporary resident in California.
Can i apply to change my name and last name just as a permanent resident would?
Does the state of California only allow permanent residents to change their name?
What does the California... View More
answered on Oct 7, 2024
Yes, as temporary resident, so long as you meet the residency requirements in California and the county that you are residing in, you are able to file for a legal name change.
There is absolutely no relevance of your immigration status in the United States in order to change your name... View More
I was scheduled for a N400 naturalization interview at the San Jose field office on October 1, 2024, and then suddenly after 7 minutes if it getting scheduled, I get another notification saying that it was descheduled. The notice says that it was descheduled due to unforeseen reasons, and they will... View More
answered on Sep 3, 2024
This is nothing of major concern. Unfortunately, USCIS does sometimes cancel and reschedule interviews due to a number of reasons related to their availability, etc. and nothing that has to do with the actual applicant. I would recommend that you stay on top of it and follow-up constantly if you do... View More
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