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19 Jun 2024

I am a derivative child in a family-based case that was filed for my mother. My mother’s case is current on the dates for filing chart, and the National Visa Center has accepted our documents. Now, we’re waiting for the interview and for the date to become current on the final action chart. Is my age locked in now under the Child Status Protection Act?

Answer Unfortunately, no. Age is not locked in under the CSPA based on having a case pending at the consulate under the dates for filing chart. A child can still age out under these circumstances.  (19.Jun.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the...

09:31 / Consulates / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
05 Jun 2024

When I was a green card holder, I sponsored my adult, unmarried daughter for a green card. I have since become a U.S. citizen. If my daughter marries, can her pending case be converted to the married daughter category?

Answer Unfortunately, no. If your daughter marries now, the family-based, second preference "B" (FB2B) case you filed for her would no longer be approvable. Instead, generally, you would have to start from scratch with a family-based, third preference (FB3) case. (05.Jun.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

12:37 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
03 Apr 2024

After my I-140 petition was approved, my son aged out before the priority date became current. My I-485 was recently approved, and I now plan to sponsor my son for a green card. Can I use the priority date from my old I-140?

Answer Unfortunately, no, the priority date from one's I-140 cannot be transferred to an I-130 petition. (03.Apr.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright © 2024, MURTHY LAW FIRM....

07:20 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
13 Mar 2024

I got a green card through my employer, and I have a son who is a U.S. citizen by birth. We have decided to move back to India for a few years due to family reasons, which will mean giving up my green card. When my son turns 21, can he sponsor me for another green card?

Answer The fact that you had a green card and then abandoned it typically would not prevent you from being sponsored by your U.S. citizen child for another green card (once the child reaches the age of 21). (13.Mar.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance...

07:56 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident / Travel
21 Sep 2023

I am a U.S. citizen and I sponsored my mother for a green card. The consular post in Mumbai issued her an immigrant visa earlier this year, with an expiration date in October 2023. She entered on the visa a few weeks ago, but has not yet received her physical green card. Would it be best for her to wait for the green card before she travels internationally?

Answer Once a person enters on an immigrant visa, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry should have placed an I-551 stamp in the visa / passport, which serves as temporary evidence as status as a green card holder...

07:27 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident / Travel
14 Sep 2023

I am a U.S. citizen but have been living in India for several years. I am soon getting married to an Indian citizen. Can I sponsor her for a green card, even though I don’t live in the U.S.?

Answer Generally speaking, a U.S. citizen living abroad may sponsor their spouse for a green card, as long as they plan to move to the U.S. once the immigrant visas are issued. (14.Sep.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information...

06:43 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
17 Aug 2023

A few years ago, my sister, who is a U.S. citizen, filed an I-130 for me. I recently got an EB2 I-140 approved. Can I use the priority date from the I-130 for my I-140 case?

Answer Unfortunately, no. Priority dates cannot be transferred between employment-based and family-based petitions. (17.Aug.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright © 2023, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved...

06:47 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
03 Aug 2023

Last year, my father got his green card through his employer, and my mother and I got our green cards as his dependents. A couple of months after we got our green cards, my parents separated, and my father went back to his home country. He has come back only a couple of times since then for very brief trips. If they take away his green card, will it impact our green cards, since we were his dependents?

Answer Normally, abandonment of one's green card would not impact the validity of the family members' green cards. In general, this applies, even if the person who abandons his green card was the principal applicant. (03.Aug.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the...

06:24 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
16 May 2023

I recently married a green card holder, and my husband is getting ready to sponsor me for a green card. I was on H1B status, but just got laid off. Does this prevent me from filing my I-485 application based on the I-130 my husband is filing?

Answer Assuming you are in your 60-day grace period, being laid off would generally not impact your ability to file your I-485 based on the I-130 petition filed by your husband. (16.May.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on...

07:55 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident / Worker