Adjustment of status approved for Filipino client

A Filipino client has successfully secured an Adjustment of Status (AOS) approval from USCIS, allowing them to transition from a nonimmigrant visa status to that of a lawful permanent resident. This approval demonstrates the successful fulfillment of all eligibility requirements, including continuous residence and good moral character.

The Adjustment of Status Process

Adjustment of Status is the process through which a non-citizen already present in the United States applies for a Green Card without needing to return to their home country for consular processing. This is often the final and most anticipated step in a long immigration journey. To be eligible for AOS, an applicant must generally have a valid immigrant petition (such as a Form I-130 from a family member) and have an immigrant visa immediately available to them.

The path to approval requires fulfilling several key requirements:

• Lawful Entry: Most applicants must prove they were admitted or paroled into the U.S. with valid documentation and an inspection by an immigration officer.
• Continuous Residence and Good Moral Character: Applicants must provide evidence of their ongoing residence in the U.S. and a clean criminal history.
• Immigrant Petition and Visa Availability: An approved immigrant petition is generally a prerequisite, and the applicant’s priority date must be current according to the Visa Bulletin.

The process itself involves a series of steps:

1. Filing the Application: The applicant files Form I-485 with USCIS, along with supporting documents, a medical exam, and a biometrics appointment.
2. Biometrics and Interview: The applicant attends a biometrics appointment for fingerprints and photographs, followed by an interview with a USCIS officer to verify the information in their application.
3. Final Adjudication: USCIS reviews the entire application and conducts a background check before making a final decision.

Significance of the Approval

For Filipinos, a successful AOS is particularly meaningful due to significant visa backlogs in many family- and employment-based categories. These backlogs can cause wait times to extend for years, or even decades, for those seeking to immigrate to the U.S. through family reunification. The approval of a Filipino client’s case highlights not only their successful fulfillment of all legal criteria but also their perseverance through a complex and often lengthy immigration process. The outcome enables them to secure a green card, which gives them the right to live and work in the United States and is a major step toward a new life.