What is the process for a child to adjust their status from a nonimmigrant to an immigrant?

The process for a child to adjust their status from a nonimmigrant to an immigrant in California is more complicated than for adults. According to federal immigration laws, a child must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for adjustment of their status. The child must be under 21 years of age and have entered the United States as an immigrant or nonimmigrant on or before their 21st birthday. Additionally, the child must have been lawfully admitted or paroled in the U.S. with valid immigration documents. The child must also have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The child must have maintained a continuous residence in the U.S. since their most recent admission and must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of filing the application. The first step to adjustment of status is to determine eligibility. The child should attend an appointment for processing at the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. The child will need to submit certain documents and complete a form to apply for adjustment of status. Once the application has been submitted, USCIS will review the application, conduct a background and security check and if approved, the child will become a lawful permanent resident. The child will then receive a Green Card and eventually be able to become a U.S. citizen if they meet additional requirements.

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El proceso para que un niño/a cambie su estatus de no inmigrante a inmigrante en California se llama ajuste de estatus. El proceso comienza cuando un niño/a o un adulto obtiene una visa no inmigrante que le permite permanecer y trabajar temporalmente en los Estados Unidos. Después de esto, el niño/a debe completar un Formulario I-485 para solicitar la aprobación para cambiar su estatus de no inmigrante a inmigrante. El formulario debe ser presentado junto con los documentos relevantes y la tarifa correspondiente. El inmigrante debe también presentar los documentos de prueba de identificación relacionados con el cambio de estatus. Una vez que el Formulario I-485 es presentado, el USCIS emitirá una tarjeta verde para el inmigrante. La tarjeta verde es una prueba de que el proceso de ajuste de estatus ha sido completado exitosamente. En este punto, el niño/a tendrá los mismos derechos y privilegios de un inmigrante legal, como la habilidad de permanecer y trabajar en los Estados Unidos, y la posibilidad de viajar fuera del país sin ninguna restricción. Si los documentos son presentados exitosamente, el trámite puede tardar de 6 meses a un año para completarse.

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