Immigration Lawyer of Washington DC
The process of formally applying to become a lawful permanent U.S. resident can be an intimidating one, especially if you have not dealt with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before. Unfortunately, the procedures involved with this kind of application can also be quite complicated for any single applicant to sort through, regardless of any prior experiences they have.
If you need help applying for legal permanent resident (LPR) status in Washington, DC, a dedicated green card attorney from Hacking Immigration Law, LLC is available to provide guidance and support. With our experience and skill on your side, you could have a far better chance of getting through this process smoothly and achieving your dreams of permanent U.S. residency.
Determining Eligibility for a Green Card
The first step anyone seeking legal permanent resident status must take before filing an application is ensuring they qualify to receive a green card. The two most common ways that applicants qualify for a green card are through family connections with individuals already living here legally, or through an employer who wants to hire them to work at their U.S.-based company or branch.
However, there are also a few other ways to qualify for LPR status in Washington, DC, including declaration of refugee or asylum status, specialized programs meant to protect victims of abuse, crime, and/or human trafficking, selection in the Diversity Visa Lottery, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. An experienced attorney could discuss all of these options in greater detail and identify what grounds a particular person could use for their application.
Filing the Right Forms and Documents
Anyone who has a family member or employer sponsoring their LPR application must have this person file either Form I-130 or Form I-140, respectively, on their behalf, as they will need an immigrant visa before applying for legal permanent resident status in Washington, DC. Other forms may be necessary for individuals applying based on different grounds.
Once USCIS approves someone’s immigrant petition, the next step they should take if they are already inside U.S. borders is applying for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485. Individuals outside U.S. borders need to go through Consular Processing, which has a few extra steps that an immigration lawyer could explain as needed.
Checking on the Status of an LPR Application
This application process generally also involves both biometrics screening and an interview with U.S. immigration officials, either at a USCIS field office or the Embassy or Consulate in the country from which the applicant is applying. Once all these steps are done, the application process for Legal Permanent Resident status in Washington, DC enters its longest and most frustrating phase: waiting for a final verdict from USCIS.
Applicants can check on their application status by inputting their receipt number into the USCIS Case Status online tool. If a delay lasts for an unreasonable amount of time, though, it may be worth talking to a lawyer about legal options for moving this process along.
A Washington, DC Attorney Could Help with Applying for Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) Status
This is just a brief overview of the steps that go into applying for Legal Permanent Resident Status in Washington, DC. To understand these requirements more clearly as well as to ensure compliance with them completely, you may need help from a knowledgeable legal professional.
Retaining an attorney to help with your application could make a world of difference in your chances of a positive final response. Learn more about how Hacking Immigration Law, LLC could help you by calling today.
