16 Sep 2021

My son will turn 21 in November. However, my family and I will be eligible to file our I-485s in October based on the dates for filing chart. Will this protect my son from aging out?

Answer Unfortunately, filing an I-485 based on the dates for filing chart (i.e., Chart B) does not automatically protect a child from aging out. However, the fact that your child turns 21 while the I-485 is pending does not necessarily mean he will age out. Rather,...

29 Jul 2021

I am in the U.S. visiting my brother, who is a U.S. citizen. If my brother sponsors me for a green card, can I stay in the U.S.?

Answer A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old typically can sponsor a sibling for a green card under the family-based, fourth preference (FB4) category. However, the pending or approved I-130 petition does not provide any immediate immigration benefits. Rather, one would need to...

22 Jul 2021

My daughter is a U.S. citizen who will turn 21 next year. She lives with me and her father in Singapore. Can she sponsor us for green cards when she turns 21, or does she have to move to the U.S. first?

Answer Generally speaking, a U.S. citizen living abroad may sponsor her parents for green cards when she turns 21, as long as she plans on moving to the U.S. once the immigrant visas are issued. (On occasion, we have seen consulates require the U.S. citizen child...

15 Jul 2021

I have a pending I-485 based on my husband’s approved I-140. We are currently separated, and it will take many months before the divorce can be finalized. Will this impact my green card case?

Answer If the divorce is finalized before the I-485 is approved, your case should be denied by the USCIS. However, if the green card is issued before the divorce is official, the divorce typically would have no impact on the green card.  (15.Jul.2021)Sheela Murthy and other...

27 May 2021

I am recently divorced and wish to travel to the U.S. in H1B with my minor son, who will be coming in H-4 status. My ex-husband has no objections to this. Do I need to bring documents with me for my son to enter, since his father will not be traveling with us?

Answer U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that, if a child is only being accompanied by one parent, the parent traveling with the child carry a note from the other parent that states: "I acknowledge that my wife / husband / etc is traveling...

06 May 2021

I just became a U.S. citizen, and wish to sponsor my brother and mother for green cards. I understand the process for sponsoring siblings takes many, many years. Should I just sponsor my mother, and then, when she gets a green card, she can sponsor my brother?

Answer It is true that the family-based category is severely backlogged. But, if your brother is married, your mother would have to wait until she is a citizen to sponsor him. Even if he does not marry, the general recommendation would be to sponsor the sibling...

06 May 2021

If I travel from India to Mexico and stay there for two weeks, can I then enter the U.S.? Or would the travel ban still apply to me?

Answer The suspension of travel from India due to the pandemic only applies to people who were physically in India during the past 14 days. If a person travels to a third country, such as Mexico, for two weeks, the travel ban would not prevent that...

28 Apr 2021

My 14-year-old daughter and I are green card holders, and I would like to apply for U.S. citizenship for both of us. Do I have to file a separate application for her, or is she included on my application?

Answer In order to file an N-400 application, the applicant typically must be at least 18 years old. However, depending on the circumstances, a minor may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship based on the naturalization of a parent. (29.Apr.2021)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...

01 Apr 2021

I am on F-1 and will soon be marrying a person who has a green card. Once I get married, will that impact my F-1 status?

Answer Getting married to a person with a green card would have no direct impact on one's F-1 status. However, if applying for certain immigration benefits, such as an F-1 visa at a consulate, it is possible this could create problems related to immigrant intent. (01.Apr.2021)Sheela...