Florida, like just about every other state in the nation, is home to tens of thousands of immigrants. Many face significant challenges in their everyday lives, based on their immigration backgrounds. Some desire an adjustment of status (which may make their living situations less stressful) but aren’t sure how to begin the process.
There are several basic things to remember regarding status adjustments in the United States. First of all, an immigrant must first prove eligibility to file an application to adjust his or her status. One of the main eligibility requirements is that the immigrant in question must have entered the United States legally.
Once eligibility is proved, the person wishing to seek a status adjustment can file a petition. Actually, it is generally a family member or employer who files the petition on an immigrant’s behalf. There are several other documents that must also be filed in order to make a complete application.
Since there are only a certain number of available visas each year, it’s best to make sure one is available before going through the hassle of filing all the appropriate papers to seek an adjustment of status. At some point, whether an immigrant plans to live in Florida or elsewhere, he or she will have to submit a photograph, undergo an interview process and also a background check that includes fingerprinting. Any questions or concerns regarding a status adjustment (or other immigration matter) can be addressed through consultation with an immigration and naturalization law attorney.
Source: FindLaw, “Adjustment of Status to Stay in the U.S.“, Accessed on July 26, 2017
