What Is the One Step Process in Immigration?

 Posted on November 23, 2016 in Immigration

Applying for a green card, or permanent resident status, in the United States can be a complicated process. Indeed, no matter what your current immigration status or that of a family member, the intricacies of immigration law can be frustrating and difficult to comprehend. Given that there are many members of the Muslim community in DuPage County that are learning more about the process of obtaining a green card, it is important to understand how the process works and whether you might be eligible for a “One Step Process.”

At Farooqi & Husain Law Office, we are committed to helping Muslims throughout DuPage County with all immigration law issues. One of our experienced Oakbrook Terrace immigration attorneys can speak with you about your case today.

Applying for a Green Card

As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website explains, there are a number of different steps a person can take toward becoming a permanent resident of the United States, or a holder of a green card. The path you take largely will depend upon whether you are currently living in the United States. The primary avenues toward obtaining a green card include the following:

• Through a family member;
• Through a job;
• Through status as a refugee or asylee;
• Through the so-called “Green Card Lottery,” or the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program; and
• Through other programs.

Many immigrant families know that obtaining a green card, or the status of permanent resident, is extremely important because “lawful permanent residents are legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States,” according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Learning More about the One Step Process

Now that you know more about obtaining a green card and why it is important to do so, we would like to highlight one way of obtaining permanent resident statute: the One-Step Process.

What is a One Step Process? The U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services explains that this is, in effect, a form of concurrent filing for persons seeking a green card who are already living in the United States. What is the concurrent filing? A person applying for permanent resident status will apply for “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status” on Form I-485 at the same time the immigrant’s family member (who is already a U.S. citizen) files Form I-130, which is a “Petition for Alien Relative.” What does this mean in practice? In short, a One Step Process is available in situations where there is an opening to gain permanent resident status and the applicant is living lawfully in the United States.

Adjustment of status is extremely important for many immigrants in Illinois because it allows you to stay lawfully in the U.S. while seeking permanent residence. Typically, One Step Process scenarios involve immediate family members — such as a spouse or a child — of a U.S. citizen who are seeking a green card. The immigrant applies for “adjustment of status” (to permanent resident) by filing the I-485 at the same time the immediate family member (who is a U.S. citizen) files a form I-130. This is the concurrent filing that we spoke of above.

Contact a DuPage County Immigration Lawyer

While a One Step Process often involves immediate family members seeking permanent resident status, there are other ways to be eligible for a One Step Process. An experienced DuPage County immigration lawyer can discuss your case with you today. Contact Farooqi & Husain Law Office for more information.

Source:

https://www.uscis.gov/greencard