immigration status

It is usually difficult for a person who is been granted withholding of removal through asylum to apply for the green card. That is because a granting of withholding carries with it an alternate order of removal. Therefore if you had to leave the US in order to perfect an application for permanent residence, you would in effect be deporting yourself. However if you entered the country legally, or have the benefit of section 245(i) under which someone who is illegal is allowed to adjust status to permanent residence upon the payment of a fine amount if he or she had a labor certification application or immigrant visa petition pending by April 30, 2001, there is a good chance to have your case reopened and permanent residence awarded if there is a suitable basis for doing so such as marriage to a US citizen in the first instance and any other bases on the second. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.