How can I start the process for to get my mother papers?

Generally, a U.S. citizen age 21 or older may apply for a parent to adjust status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card") if that parent is in the U.S. and had entered the country lawfully and with inspection. If any of those details do not apply, then a completely different legal analysis may be required. It would be wise to engage an immigration attorney to learn all of the relevant information about your mother, including about her immigration-related history, in order to advise about immigration eligibilities, options and strategies, and to represent you and your mother in that process. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis so that a client will know the total expense from the very beginning, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.

This process is generally done by way of a filing of the petition for an alien relative along with an application for an adjustment of status if your mother is in status in the US. If she is out of status there may be other ways to do it. It may be that she requires a waiver. The filing of the waiver is a separate analysis that needs to be undertaken as part and parcel of this process. The complete analysis should be undertaken before papers are filed on her behalf. If you would like to have the assistance of a qualified immigration lawyer, please feel free to contact us or to look online for someone would be able to assist you. If you decide to engage an immigration lawyer you may want to be certain that he or she has a specialization in the field.