Vidalia, GA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

What is your status? If you are a U.S. citizen and your father entered legally you can petition for him. Contact us if you are seeking legal counsel. I have been practicing for over 15 years. Our immigration law firm has been in the immigration field for more than 45 years. We have handled cases with experience, integrity, and good effect. We offer payment plans with no interest.

Generally, a U.S. citizen (whether by birth or through naturalization) may sponsor a parent who entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection, to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card") by concurrently filing I-130 and I-485 application. If the foreign national parent entered the U.S. with a visitor's visa, be aware that that this type of visa requires "nonimmigrant intent," i.e. an intention to enter the U.S. to visit temporarily and then to depart; it would be impermissible, and could be viewed as constituting visa fraud, for someone to enter the U.S. with a visitor's visa while intended to apply to become a Permanent Resident. Of course, a foreign national legitimately could enter the U.S. intending to stay temporarily, and then change his/her mind and decide to apply to remain permanently, and filing an adjustment of status application package more than sixty days following entry can help establish that an entry legitimately was made with nonimmigrant intent and that the foreign national later changed his/her mind. "Consular processing" from abroad is an alternative to this approach. There are many other issues that can have an impact upon eligibility, and this includes any perceived misuse of a prior visa, although in answer to your question the I-94 defines the period of time a person is authorized to remain in the U.S. during each visit. It would be wise for your family to consult with an immigration attorney not only in connection with immigration considerations for your wife's mother, but also in connection with the upcoming I-175 and N-400 application processes. Failure to properly prepare and fully document those applications can lead to very significant delays (or even more harsh consequences).

If your case is pending in an Illinois court, I would be glad to advise you exactly what you should do once I have a complete understanding of the case status.