Asylum is one of the most important ways for individuals fleeing danger to find a safe new home. Asylees—individuals who have been granted asylum protection—must wait at least one year after being granted asylum before applying for a green card—lawful permanent resident status. Once that year passes, how long it takes to get a green card after asylum approval...
Continue ReadingHiring an immigration lawyer is often necessary when navigating U.S. immigration law, which can involve complicated paperwork, strict deadlines, and issues that require an understanding of the law to resolve. Once you find a candidate, you may wonder what questions to ask an immigration lawyer when you first meet them. Asking the right immigration lawyer questions during an initial...
Continue ReadingFor many noncitizens, obtaining a green card represents stability and security in the U.S. Can undocumented immigrants get a green card? Yes, but qualifying without first leaving the U.S. is often challenging. At EMP Law, we understand the challenges undocumented immigrants face. Our team is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the U.S. immigration system. If you or a loved...
Continue ReadingDeportation—referred to as “removal” in U.S. law—is the legal process of removing a non-citizen from the country for violating immigration laws. What is the most common reason for deportation? The most common reason is criminal activity. Other common reasons include being unlawfully present in the U.S., committing fraud, violating the terms or conditions of a visa, and failing to...
Continue ReadingUsually, non-citizens working to obtain U.S. immigration benefits quickly become familiar with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and its routine and extensive processing delays. USCIS’s Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, has fallen victim to excessive delays, resulting in the expected Form I-751 processing time taking longer than a conditional permanent resident card. The average...
Continue ReadingLearning that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has denied your green card application can feel like a life-derailing setback. If that happens, you’ll likely wonder, If my green card is denied, can I apply again? In short, yes, you can usually reapply. However, whether you should—or even need to reapply to get your green card—depends on...
Continue ReadingBecoming a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process takes many steps and years. But are there significant differences between U.S. citizenship vs. naturalization? In short, naturalization is one way to obtain U.S. citizenship. Naturalized citizens have essentially the same legal rights as those who obtained citizenship in another way. The primary difference, then, is the naturalization process. Contact EMP...
Continue ReadingMost people know noncitizens can get green cards and eventually citizenship through marriage. However, far fewer people know how to get a green card in the USA without marriage and how to get US citizenship without marriage. Many wonder, “Do you have to be married to get a green card?” Thankfully, the answer is no. You can also get...
Continue ReadingComing to or remaining in the United States without government permission violates U.S. immigration law and typically results in losing your right to immigration benefits. This rule can seriously harm many noncitizens who would otherwise qualify for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. If you fall into this category, you may be able to convince United States Citizenship and Immigration...
Continue ReadingApplying for asylum allows individuals who cannot safely remain in or return to their home countries to start a new life in the U.S. You apply for asylum using Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. When you submit your Form I-589 application for asylum, you ask the U.S. government for the right to live here...
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