Visas and Naturalization
Adjustment of Status Through Marriage
Depending upon your individual circumstances, it is possible to obtain Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status (also known as a "green card") by virtue of marriage to a U.S. citizen. Applying for LPR status in this manner has specific eligibility and documentary requirements, and it can be a lengthy and complicated process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) closely examines the applications to make certain that the marriage is legitimate. It is possible to apply whether you are in or out of status. If you are married to a U.S. citizen and want to apply for LPR status, call Alta Law Group at 206-818-1253 to schedule a consultation. Mr. Jaeggli can assess whether you may be eligible to obtain LPR status through marriage and can represent you in the application process.
Depending upon your individual circumstances, it is possible to obtain Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status (also known as a "green card") by virtue of marriage to a U.S. citizen. Applying for LPR status in this manner has specific eligibility and documentary requirements, and it can be a lengthy and complicated process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) closely examines the applications to make certain that the marriage is legitimate. It is possible to apply whether you are in or out of status. If you are married to a U.S. citizen and want to apply for LPR status, call Alta Law Group at 206-818-1253 to schedule a consultation. Mr. Jaeggli can assess whether you may be eligible to obtain LPR status through marriage and can represent you in the application process.
Naturalization
If you have been a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) for a certain number of years (either 5 years or three years, depending on your circumstances), you may be eligible to apply for citizenship, otherwise known as naturalization. Becoming a citizen of the United States has many benefits. It grants you all the privileges of being a U.S. citizen, and enables you to fully participate in our political processes. You can obtain a U.S. passport, which can greatly simplify travel outside of the United States. It can protect you from deportation in the future, should you ever get into trouble with the law. Additionally, if you have non-citizen children under the age of 18, your citizenship can automatically be conferred to them, which can protect them from being deported if they ever get into trouble. Applying for citizenship has specific eligibility and documentary requirements. If you are considering applying, call Alta Law Group at 206-818-1253 to schedule a consultation. Mr. Jaeggli can assess whether you may be eligible to obtain citizenship and can represent you in the application process. |
U Visa
If you do not have legal status in the United States, and you have been the victim of a crime, it is possible to obtain legal status by applying for a U Visa. There are very specific requirements for granting a U Visa, including the type of crime involved and whether you were helpful to law enforcement's investigation of the crime. It is possible to obtain status through a U Visa even if you have been convicted of a crime that would otherwise prevent you from gaining other types of status. Once you have the U Visa, you can eventually apply for Lawful Permanent Residence if you meet the requirements for this type of adjustment of status. If you do not have legal status, and you have been a victim of a crime, call Alta Law Group at 206-818-1253. Mr. Jaeggli can assess whether you may be eligible to obtain legal status through a U Visa application and can represent you in the application process. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Petitions If do not have legal status, and you are married to a U.S. citizen (USC) or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), or are the child of a USC or LPR, and you have been subjected to domestic violence or extreme cruelty by the USC/LPR, it is possible to apply for LPR status through a VAWA Petition. There are specific eligibility and documentary requirements in applying for status with a VAWA Petition, and there are differences in how quickly you can obtain status, depending on whether the abuser is a USC or a LPR. If you do not have legal status and have been subjected to abuse by your USC/LPR spouse or parent, call Alta Law Group at 206-818-1253 to schedule a consultation. Mr. Jaeggli can assess whether you may be eligible to apply for status through VAWA and can represent you in the application process. |