The Scheer Immigration Law Group’s Post

The green card interview is a crucial moment in your journey to becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Whether you’re applying based on family ties, employment, or another category, this interview serves as one of the final steps in the immigration process. It’s where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers will assess the authenticity of your application and your eligibility for permanent residency. While the process may seem daunting, proper preparation can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. For many applicants, the green card interview is a nerve-wracking experience, often filled with uncertainty about the questions that will be asked or the documents that will be required. However, understanding the purpose of the interview and knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety and ensure that you’re ready to present yourself and your case in the best possible light. The goal of the interview is not only to confirm the accuracy of your submitted information but also to verify that you meet all the legal requirements for obtaining a green card. This means you need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions, from personal details to specifics about your immigration history. Found this helpful? Like, save and share this important information to someone who needs it. —-------------------------- **DM for credit or removal request (no copyright intended) © All rights and credits reserved to the respective owners(s)** #GreenCardInterview #USCISInterview #ImmigrationProcess #GreenCardJourney #ImmigrantSuccess #FamilyBasedGreenCard #WorkBasedGreenCard #USImmigration #ImmigrationTips #VisaToGreenCard #GreenCardSuccess

The family-based immigration interview is an important part of the process for anyone hoping to join their loved ones in the United States. It gives U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) a chance to meet with applicants and make sure that all the information they have is accurate and truthful. Knowing what to expect in this interview can make the process easier and less stressful. Here, we will look at what typically happens during a family-based immigration interview in New Jersey, so you and your family can feel more prepared for this important step. At, The Scheer Immigration Law Group, we are here to guide you through the legal process and help you navigate the complexities of your case. Why the Family-Based Immigration Interview Matters The family-based immigration interview is a required step when a family member, like a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, is petitioning for you to come and live in the United States. This interview is important because USCIS wants to verify that the family relationship is genuine. They want to ensure that the information provided in your application is correct and complete. Sometimes, USCIS also uses this interview to gather more information or to clear up anything that may be unclear in the application. The interview can be an anxious experience, especially since it plays such a big role in the decision about your immigration status. However, being aware of what usually happens can help you feel more confident and ready. This interview isn’t just about asking questions, it is a way for USCIS to confirm that your relationship with your family member in the U.S. is authentic and based on real family ties. Preparing for the Interview Preparation is key when it comes to the family-based immigration interview. USCIS will usually send an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your interview. In New Jersey, most interviews happen at a USCIS field office. It’s important to read this notice carefully and to bring all required documents with you to the interview. Not being prepared can cause delays in your immigration process or even lead to denial. To Learn More Please Click Our Link: https://lnkd.in/ePkb6W9v #FamilyImmigration #NJLaw #ClientSupport #ImmigrationHelp #FamilyUnity

Attention attorneys: You can stop reflexively sending lawyer letters to the consulate with your clients. One of the great parts of LinkedIn is that we get to have dialogue with experts on visa processing (like Mandy Feuerbacher, Travis Feuerbacher, and Christa Byker). Each of these folks is a former consular officer (and more). Their resources and posts make it crystal clear that consular officers are directed not to take documents from visa applicants. They don't have anywhere to put them. If it's not required for the application (like an I-129S), they will not take it. Sometimes, they won't even take the I-129S and we have to email it. Use the content you were going to put in the letter to prepare the client for the interview. Take them through possible questions and the correct answers based on the facts of their situation. Tell about the likely path of the conversation and the experience they'll have at the post. Be ready to advocate for your client after the interview. But the main advocate in a visa application is the applicant. The attorney and the employer are secondary advocates that can be helpful. But, it's a whole lot better if it can be resolved without you or the employer getting involved. Attorneys do a lot of things in immigration law to protect ourselves from potential bad outcomes. For example: some send the original approval notice to visa interviews, some send full petition copies to the visa interview, and some send extremely well documented visa applications with cover letters that are never, ever read. Your client doesn't need the security blanket of an attorney letter. That's all it will amount to. Prepare them to advocate.

Approaching an immigration interview without preparation can be daunting. The Scheer Immigration Law Group offers guidance to ensure you’re well-prepared for your interview, understanding the questions and what’s expected of you. If you're seeking assistance to confidently navigate this crucial step, we’re here to help. Reach out for tailored advice that makes a difference. #ImmigrationHelp #VisaInterview #NewJerseyLaw #ScheerImmigration

💍 Client Query, Attorney Answer: 🇬🇧🇺🇸 Steps for UK Citizens Married to U.S. Citizens—What’s Next? A common concern for clients in similar situations: “I’m a UK citizen married to my U.S. citizen husband. We got married in April in Denmark, and I’m currently visiting him in the U.S. on an ESTA until November 12th. We’re ready to move forward with the immigration process but I’m nervous about making mistakes. Is filing Form I-130 the right next step? What should we watch out for?” 🛂 Filing Form I-130: The First Step to U.S. Residency Yes, filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is the correct first step. This form allows your U.S. citizen spouse to sponsor you for a green card and initiates the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency in the U.S. Here’s a step-by-step guide and key considerations to help you navigate the process with confidence: 📝 Step-by-Step Process: File Form I-130: This petition is filed by your U.S. citizen spouse with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The I-130 establishes the validity of your marriage and is the foundation for your green card application. Be prepared to submit supporting documents such as your marriage certificate, photos, and any proof of a bona fide relationship. Since you married in Denmark, make sure all documents are properly translated if needed. Concurrent Filing (Form I-130 + Form I-485): If you are already in the U.S. on ESTA (or another non-immigrant visa) and decide to stay in the U.S., you may be eligible to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) concurrently with Form I-130. This would allow you to remain in the U.S. while your green card application is processed, but there are some risks (see below). Consular Processing: Alternatively, once Form I-130 is approved, you can return to the UK and complete your green card processing through the U.S. consulate in London (known as consular processing). This may be a more straightforward option if you're concerned about your current ESTA status. 💡 Next Steps and Timeline: Processing Times: The processing time for the I-130 alone can take several months, but filing the I-130 and I-485 together could allow you to stay in the U.S. while waiting for your green card. Immigration processes are complex, but we’re here to help guide you step by step and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. It’s often helpful to seek professional advice to avoid delays and mistakes in your application. 🔗 NOT LEGAL ADVICE: If you need a consultation, please visit our website: https://wasden.law/ 🔗 #ImmigrationLaw #UKtoUSA #SpouseVisa #GreenCardProcess #I130 #AdjustmentOfStatus #ESTA #USCIS #ImmigrationAttorney #MarriageBasedGreenCard

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"My visa was denied at the interview. Should I reapply again?" My heart sinks every time I get this question. Oftentimes, good people with truly good intentions get a denial at a consulate or embassy with absolutely zero explanation other than receiving a sheet from the officer listing an alphanumerical ground for denial under specific immigration laws. And it unfortunately becomes the kiss of death for them. They wait 2, 4, 6 months or even a year and try again, this time bringing different paperwork and ready to advocate for themselves, only to receive the same result. Here's one of the most awful truths of the U.S. immigration system: far too often, when your visa is erroneously denied at an appointment overseas, it will be impossible to ever reverse the decision. Why? ➡ Taking the top spot: Because consular officers don't want to step on their colleagues' toes and reverse the decisions of their peers. It's a bad look for the agency. ➡ Consular officers can have extremely busy days - sometimes hosting up to 120 interviews per day (yes you read that correctly) at high-volume posts like Monterrey, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, New Delhi, Guadalajara, Buenos Aires, Manila, and Guangzhou. In addition to not wanting to ruffle the feathers of their peers who previously issued a determination on the case, that clock is ticking for that officer. Do the math: if you are an officer interviewing 120 people per day, you have 4 minutes for each interview, from start to finish. That is insane! If the officer knows that a colleague previously denied the same case, that officer may simply neglect to investigate the case any further and trust that their peer made the right call the first time around, purely out of simply not having enough time to wrap their head around the matter. ➡ Just like CBP officers, DOS officers are trained to believe that everyone is lying and each person truly has the intent to immigrate to the U.S. permanently. If there is so much as a whiff that a person doesn't have strong enduring ties to their home country (no real or financial property) and/or has too strong of a pull to the U.S. (think: close familial relatives or significant others), the heat is turned way up, and your chances of approval go down, down, down for certain visa categories. To be clear: this is completely unfair, and is a huge Achilles heel in our immigration system. The best you can hope for is that you are extremely well prepared for your first interview and have your ducks completely in a row. Avoiding terribly busy consulates is a huge determination in your success as well. Especially you are applying in Mexico, India, or China - do your homework first! #immigrationlaw #globalmobility #immigrationlawyer Rosanna Berardi, Esq. Jennifer Behm Zach Ahlstrom, Esq. Rebecca Bentley Ruth Garbanzo Andrea Godfread-Brown

🆘 Help! I don't have my original USCIS approval notice!! This is an email we receive not infrequently from our corporate and individual clients. A big part of our job as immigration lawyers is to help clients know when to freak out and when to save the freak out energy. While I can't give legal advice here, here are some general tips to keep in mind: When you may need the original approval notice: ⭐ For NIV approval notices from USCIS (like H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc), the employer will need the I-94 number, which is located on the I-797A approval notice, if you have requested a change of employer, extension, or amendment in the US. This is typically sent to the petitioner's address as listed on the petition forms submitted to USCIS. So if you never receive the approval notice from USCIS, that can be a problem. ⭐ The I-94 number can also be on the foreign national's I-94 entry record, if they are entering the US from overseas (for example, if the petitioner requests consular processing on the forms submitted to USCIS). ⭐ It's possible that the consular officer would request the original approval notice when the foreign national applies for the visa stamp at the US consulate overseas, but they should be able to access the information electronically. When you probably don't need the original approval notice: ⭐ For an I-140 approval - a copy is usually just fine ⭐ For an I-485 approval - a copy is usually just fine ⭐ For a PERM approval - DOL actually emails the PERM labor certifications, so there really is no original anymore What if you don't have the original? Sometimes a petitioner doesn't receive the original approval notice or loses it. Here's the chain of steps we typically take: ☑️ If it was a premium processing case, we ask USCIS to re-send it. ☑️ If it wasn't a premium processing case, sometimes placing a service request for a missing approval notice works. ☑️ Worst case, you can file a Form I-824 to request a duplicate approval notice. This can take several months to be processed, and the USCIS filing fee is $590. To prevent headaches, make sure your mailing address on USCIS forms is accurate, and make sure the person handling the mail there knows what to look out for! Do you need help with an employment-based or family-based immigration matter? Feel free to reach out at esumner@sumnerimmigration.com or via LinkedIn messages and I’ll be in touch! Photo of my not spending freak-out energy on the fact that my hair just will not fall into a center part.

Part 5- Navigating Interviews and Biometrics Welcome to Part 5 of Unlocking Your Journey: Step-by-Step U.S. Immigration Guide! If you missed Part 4, Submitting Your Application, for tips on completing your forms. This post focuses on what to expect during your interview and biometrics appointment, helping you prepare and stay confident. Keep following the series as we navigate the complexities of the immigration process together. https://lnkd.in/gbtHkmCH #lawyer #immigration #usa #newyork

Some jobs stick with you, no matter what you do. Consular agent seems to be just that with me, and while it's sometimes inconvenient, it's also a positive thing that people still feel comfortable coming to me for help after I quit nearly two years ago. It's an honour to still be called by former bosses and colleagues for a consultation. As an agent I've seen many, many cases. I've solved everything that was in my power and provided guidance where I could. Counsel, advice, client orientation, you name it. But I suppose the most important thing I did, was listen and not judge. After all, for every case in front of me, I wanted to see the person, not the client or the problem. This weekend I received a call, a request for help as I was on my way to do my volunteer work as an interpreter. As the person began telling their story, I felt the same feeling of familiarity, the answers lining up in my mind and the procedure which the person would need to follow in order to start getting their life on track again. It's going to be a long and not at all easy, so I do my best to explain the path ahead, while I also get angry at the fact I have 10 minutes to do this, since I'm rushing to translate right as I arrive. I like to take the time for this, offer them tea, a place to sit, a room with some privacy. My brother who is with me gives me a sympathetic look. "Another one? Once an agent, always an agent" he mouths. Ilegal immigration, a baby on the way, a partner who's pressuring her to follow what he has decided was best for this situation. What do we do? The most important question is what THEY want to do. What's their goal? It's easy enough to explain their rights and how life will look if they want to stay or go back home. Usually what a person wants and reality are a stark contrast. Which is why listening is the most important step here. Listen to the words unsaid, the tone of their voice and especially the moment the voice cracks. Let them speak and please don't judge. There's enough judgement about immigration, single mom's and relationships, you might be the first friendly voice they hear in a long time. Why am I sharing this? Because there's little to no understanding for the human being behind the screen, the call, the email sometimes. Remember that in a world full of automated processes, fast paced environments, rat race life and money to be made, there are human beings who just need a bit of kindness.