Texas Immigration Legal Questions

Generally a U.S. citizen may succeed in sponsoring a spouse to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card") notwithstanding the citizen's prior criminal arrest/conviction history, even if that may include two felony convictions. Of course, there are many other details that determine eligibility. It would be wise for you and your husband to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

Tickets that have been paid for traffic offenses should not stand in the way of naturalization eligibility. Depending upon all the circumstances, including the date of the denial, it may be appropriate to seek a rehearing in which another officer of the same or higher rank will adjudicate the case or simply file a new petition for naturalization. Additionally, it may be appropriate to be prepared to show evidence of good moral character to counterbalance any suggestion that the paid tickets reflect a lack of good moral character. There really is no substitute for you to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

Generally, a U.S. citizen who marries a foreign national who entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection (such as with an F1 visa), may sponsor the spouse to adjust status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). This is true regardless of whether the U.S. citizen may have sponsored a former spouse whom he later divorced. Under these circumstances, the application process can be more complex than with ordinary cases, and it may be necessary to provide documentable evidence that both the first marriage was bona fide notwithstanding that it ended in divorce, in addition to providing documentable evidence that the newly married couple is living together in a bona fide marriage. Appropriate documentation for each of these requirements is determined by the USCIS on a case-by-case basis, but generally includes such things as documents showing the couple live at the same address (a lease or house deed), showing the couple have put their financial lives together (joint bank account statements showing each spouse placed his/her earnings into the account and household expenses were paid from the account), showing that one or both spouses are listed on utility bills, showing car and insurance registration, etc., etc. There really is no substitute for you and your fiance to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options, and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

I've done quite a few name changes. It?s not a fast process. Typically, when I do a name change for a US Citizen, I go through a court proceeding, which takes a few months to complete. You can start the process, but it?s not likely to finish quickly. (In Texas, the court will require a fingerprint card, FBI background check and a state background check + one hearing in front of a judge.) In your case, since you have pending applications, I'd recommend waiting, and doing the name changes later. There's no need to introduce another moving part into the equation unless necessary. At very least, you can file now, process everything, and wait to go to court until after everything else in your process completes.... Read More

Yes, you can file a form for the recognition and declaration of an informal marriage. He has to sign it. A formal marriage is not necessary. You agreed to be married, you cohabitated, and you held yourself out as husband and wife. You can download the form or pick it up at your local justice of the peace.... Read More

Here is a link to a resource made available by the USCIS regarding fiance visas: https://www.uscis.gov/family/k-1-process-step-step. Be aware, however, that the application process can be significantly more complex than might appear from reading that website and even from reading the immigration forms and the immigration statute. Errors in the application process can create large delays or even have more harsh consequences. It would be wise for you and your fiance to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

Significantly more information is needed in order to provide a legal analysis of how your U.S. citizen husband may be able to sponsor you for immigration benefits. This includes, for example, information about the date you entered the U.S., what immigration-related applications, if any, every before have been filed by or for you, etc. There really is no substitute for you and your husband to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

To my knowledge, derivative citizenship cannot be approved for anyone who has married prior to 18 years of age. Otherwise, the individual is no longer unmarried and under the age limit, the two characteristics of a derivative.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.  ... Read More

I will assume that your question has to do with the safety of your friend coming back into the country so soon after having left. Since your friend only stayed a month, a decent interval of a few months between leaving and coming back would probably be okay as long as there has not been a pattern of your friend frequently coming into the US.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.  ... Read More

Although your question about "giving papers" to relatives is less than clear, note that it certainly is possible to sponsor multiple relatives for immigration benefits at the same time. There really is no substitute, however, for you, your parents and your husband to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options, and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the often complex application process.... Read More

If you are married to a US citizen and you entered the country legally, you can be sponsored for a green card through marriage immediately after marriage. Hire counsel anywhere in the USA for represetation who will handle all steps from A to Z. Alot of us are very affordable.   Steve... Read More

If u entered the country legally in valid F status then once u get married your spouse can petition u for a green card. You don't change status but adjust status to lawful permanent resident. I would hire immigration counsel as even the slightest mistakes in preparing the applications with supporting evidence can cause long delays or even denials. Good luck... Read More

An individual's misrepresentation that he or she was a US citizen while filling out the I-9 form for employment is a permanent bar in most cases in which the misrepresentation occurred on or after September 30, 1996. I note that many immigration officers do not go after this point in immigration cases. Also that the I-9 form has boxes in which people can indicate whether they are citizens or nationals of the United States. Many people who have been here most of their lives consider themselves nationals of the country even if not citizens. They may not technically fit the definition of national, but may believe that they are nationals nevertheless.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.  ... Read More