When the Past Comes Back in a Green Card Case
When people come to my office to discuss obtaining a Green Card through a spouse or another qualifying family member, they are usually focused on the future. They’re thinking about building a life together, becoming a lawful permanent resident, and eventually applying for U.S. citizenship. Before we can confidently move forward, however, I also want…
What Happens if My Spouse and I Separate After Filing a Joint I-751 Petition?
One of the most stressful situations I see in immigration practice is when a couple files a joint I-751 petition and then the marriage begins to fall apart while the case is still pending. Unfortunately, this happens quite often. Given current USCIS processing times, it is becoming even more common since petitions may remain pending…
Why Are Some I-751 Cases Interviewed While Others Are Not?
A common question I hear from I-751 petitioners is, “Why did my friend get approved without an interview, but I was scheduled for one?” Unfortunately, there is not always a simple answer. Some petitions are approved without an interview, others result in extensive in-person questioning, and sometimes two cases that look almost identical on paper…
The Little Things That Often Become Big Immigration Problems
One of the reasons I enjoy practicing immigration law is that no two cases are exactly alike. Even when two clients appear to have very similar situations, the details are almost always different. After working in this field for over 30 years, having had the benefit of working with thousands of immigrants, and after reading…
What Evidence Actually Matters in an I-751 Petition?
One of the most common questions I hear from clients preparing an I-751 petition is “Do we have enough evidence?” Often, the answer is yes, but that is not always the case. In some cases, the real issue is more complicated than people realize. Many couples assume USCIS is simply counting documents, more bank statements,…
What Does USCIS Mean by a “Good Faith Marriage” in an I-751 Case?
One of the most common misconceptions I encounter in I-751 cases is the belief that a failed marriage automatically means a failed immigration case. That is not really how the law works. In many I-751 consultations, I speak with people who are genuinely panicked because: Many assume USCIS is trying to determine whether the marriage…
How USCIS Officers Evaluate Your Marriage Interview
Learn how USCIS officers evaluate marriage interviews — what behaviors they watch for and how to prove your marriage is real and bona fide.
Can a Conditional Resident Get a Green Card on a New Basis?
Becoming a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. and getting a green card is a big step for many immigrants. If you get your green card through marriage and your marriage is less than two years old at the time your application is approved, you will first be given conditional permanent resident (CPR) status. Your…
USCIS Announces that Applicants for Adjustment of Status no longer need to prove that they have received the COVID-19 Vaccination
On January 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service announced a new policy that it will waive the requirement that applicants for adjustment of status (Form I-485) present proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination on their I-693 Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. USCIS further confirmed that from and…
USCIS to Waive Interviews for Certain I-751 Conditional Permanent Resident Petitioners
On April 7, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that has adopted a new risk-based approach to decide whether to interview conditional lawful permanent residents (CLPRs) who have filed I-751 petitions to remove the conditions on their residence. In sum, the new policy will provide guidance for USCIS officers to decide whether to…
