USCIS and DOS Announce Changes to the Permanent Resident Application Process

illegal immigrants in knoxvilleThe United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be working with the Department of State (DOS) to revise the procedures for determining when you may file an application for adjustment of status, which is the implementation of one aspect of President Obama’s November 2014 executive action on immigration. The revised process will help the DOS to be able to predict the demand for immigrant visas and determine the cut-off dates for issuing visas. The DOS has also published an updated visa bulletin for October 2015 that contains the details of these changes.

There are two important dates in the Visa Bulletin for October 2015:

  1. The filing date, which determines when you can submit your permanent resident applications and
  2. The final action date, which is when the USCIS or the DOS can make decisions on the applications.

The USCIS in coordination with the DOS will monitor visa numbers and post the relevant DOS visa bulletin chart. You can use these charts to determine when to file their I-485 form Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjustment of Status.

If you are an applicant and you are already in the U.S. and subject to visa backlogs, you will be able to receive employment authorization and travel documents while you wait for final action on your case.

Filing fees and attorney fees for permanent resident applications

There are filing fees for the I-485 form, which will vary based on several factors including your age. Sometimes immigration attorneys will charge a flat fee to prepare an I-485 form, which will include completing the application, gathering the documents, drafting affidavits, helping you to prepare for your interview and accompanying you to the interview. Be sure to contact several immigration attorneys in your area so that you can compare their fees, and what they will provide to you for that fee before you hire a lawyer. At LaFevor & Slaughter we offer a free telephone consultation when you can ask us questions about your situation and receive guidance on how to proceed.

If you have questions about the immigration laws or becoming a permanent resident, please contact the Knoxville immigration attorney Patrick Slaughter at LaFevor & Slaughter for assistance.