Company Lawyer Withdrew From My I-485 Case: Can I Hire My Own Immigration Attorney?

Learning that your employer’s immigration attorney has withdrawn from your Form I-485 Adjustment of Status case can be alarming. Many employment based green card applicants immediately wonder: Fortunately, the attorney’s withdrawal does not automatically mean your employment based green card application will be denied. Understanding what the attorney’s withdrawal means and what it does not … Read more

USCIS Employment Based Interview Questions: What to Expect at Your I-485 Green Card Interview

Receiving a notice scheduling your employment based green card interview can be both exciting and stressful. Many applicants wonder: The good news is that most employment based interviews are straightforward if the case has been properly prepared. However, US Citizenship and Immigration Services officers are trained to verify the information in your application, confirm your … Read more

Will Withdrawing Your I-485 Make Your INA §212 Inadmissibility Issue Go Away After Receiving an NOID?

Many immigrants panic after receiving a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) on their Form I-485 Adjustment of Status application. One of the most common questions people ask is: “If I withdraw my I-485, will the inadmissibility issue disappear?” The answer is often no. In most cases, withdrawing an I-485 after USCIS raises inadmissibility concerns … Read more

USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199: “Adjustment of Status Is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace” and What It Means for Green Card Applicants

A major policy memorandum issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services has intensified concern among immigrants applying for permanent residence through Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). The memorandum, titled: “Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process” … Read more

US Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant “Adjustment of Status” Only in Extraordinary Circumstances: What Immigrants Need to Know

Recent immigration policy changes and increasingly strict adjudication trends have caused growing concern among immigrants applying for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). Many applicants are hearing that US Citizenship and Immigration Services may grant adjustment of status only in “extraordinary circumstances” when significant inadmissibility, immigration violations, or procedural issues exist. As USCIS increases scrutiny of: … Read more

FBI Name Check and I-485 Delays: What It Means and How to Get Your Green Card Approved

If your Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) has been pending for months or even years with no decision, an FBI name check may be the reason. FBI name check delays are one of the most common and most frustrating causes of stalled green card applications. At The Messersmith Law Firm, we regularly help clients break … Read more

DUI and I-485 Application: What Applicants Must Know Before Filing Adjustment of Status

If you have a DUI arrest or conviction and are applying for a green card through Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, the DUI does not automatically mean your case will be denied. However, a DUI can become important in an adjustment of status case for several different reasons. USCIS may … Read more

I-485 Denial: What to Do When Your Adjustment of Status Gets Denied

Receiving an I-485 denial for your Adjustment of Status (AOS) application can feel devastating, especially after months or years of waiting. But a denial doesn’t always mean the end of your green card journey. Common Reasons USCIS Denies I-485 Applications Each denial reason requires a specific legal response and acting quickly can make all the … Read more

H-1B and I-485 RFE, Notice of Intent to Deny or Denial Due to Incorrect Information Provided on Resume: What You Need to Know

When applying for an H-1B visa or an I-485 green card adjustment of status, every detail in your petition matters. One of the most common and frustrating issues applicants face is a Request for Evidence (RFE), Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or even a denial because of incorrect information provided on the resume. If … Read more

I-485 Denied for Criminal Record? What You Need to Know and How We Can Help

Applying for a green card through Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) is one of the most important steps in your immigration journey. But many applicants face a difficult roadblock: criminal issues. Even a minor arrest, misdemeanor, or past conviction can trigger serious problems, including a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny … Read more