What is an Adjustment of Status?
An Adjustment of Status is a procedure that allows an individual who is in the United States to obtain permanent resident status (a green card) without having to return to their home country. In order to qualify, an individual must be the beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition, such as an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen, or an employer who wants to hire a foreign worker. In Washington, Adjustment of Status is accomplished by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The foreign national must also include additional required forms, pay a filing fee and submit evidence to support their application. An Adjustment of Status is a great way for eligible foreign nationals to become lawful permanent residents in the United States without being subject to deportation. Approved applicants can work, study, travel and will be eligible for benefits such as certain government programs. It should be noted, however, that an individual who is in the United States illegally or has committed certain criminal acts cannot apply for Adjustment of Status.
THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.Un Ajuste de Estatus es un proceso legal que se puede usar para cambiar su estado migratorio actual a uno diferente. De forma general, significa que una persona que reside en los EE. UU. legalmente puede solicitar un Ajuste de Estatus para cambiar de un estado temporal a uno permanente. El proceso requiere que una persona complete una solicitud de inmigración con el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) y presente documentación adicional para demostrar que cumple con los requisitos para un Ajuste de Estatus. Si se le aprueba un Ajuste de Estatus a un estado permanente, obtendrá un permiso de trabajo y una tarjeta de residencia permanente (tarjeta verde). En Washington, el Ajuste de Estatus no es relevante para el proceso de deportación. La deportación se lleva a cabo mediante el cumplimiento de una Orden de Expulsión emitida por la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) o por el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS), y esta Orden de Expulsión no es afectada por un Ajuste de Estatus. El Ajuste de Estatus es una opción para aquellos que desean permanecer en los Estados Unidos con un estatus migratorio legal, pero no afecta el proceso de deportación.
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