Refugee/Asylee Services (Adjustment of status as a refugee, asylee, or Cuban parolee; refugee/asylee relative petitions)
Individuals who come to the United States as refugees, are paroled in as Cuban nationals, or are granted asylum in the United States qualify for certain immigration benefits not available to other immigrants.
Those granted refugee status may apply for adjustment of status to receive their "green card" after being in the United States for one year. Immigrants granted asylum by an immigration officer or judge are also eligible to adjust status after one year. Additionally, refugees and asylees may also file a relative petition to bring their spouses and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. The relative petition, which must be filed within two years of entering the U.S. as a refugee or winning asylum, allows refugees and asylees to avoid the often long wait times to which family members of lawful permanent residents are subjected. Our attorneys are familiar with the particular challenges refugees and asylees face and can explain which options are available depending on an individual's specific situation.
Similarly, Cuban nationals in the United States are eligible for specific immigration benefits under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Though these cases are often compared to refugee or political asylum cases, the Cuban Adjustment Act in fact offers benefits unlike those available to other immigrants to the United States. Cuban nationals who enter the U.S. through parole, visitor visas, or various other methods, are eligible for adjustment of status after one year and one day of presence in the U.S. Their spouses and children, including step-children, may also qualify for adjustment of status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, even if not citizens of Cuba themselves. Cubans who become lawful permanent residents and citizens of the United States can also file family petitions for relatives overseas through an expedited family reunification process. In practice, the provisions of the Cuban Adjustment Act can be confusing and unique to this area of immigration law. Our lawyers understand the potential pitfalls of Cuban Adjustment Act cases. We can assist with all aspects of the process, including I-94 initial grants and renewals, representation in immigration court, adjustment of status applications, and family petitions.
Those granted refugee status may apply for adjustment of status to receive their "green card" after being in the United States for one year. Immigrants granted asylum by an immigration officer or judge are also eligible to adjust status after one year. Additionally, refugees and asylees may also file a relative petition to bring their spouses and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. The relative petition, which must be filed within two years of entering the U.S. as a refugee or winning asylum, allows refugees and asylees to avoid the often long wait times to which family members of lawful permanent residents are subjected. Our attorneys are familiar with the particular challenges refugees and asylees face and can explain which options are available depending on an individual's specific situation.
Similarly, Cuban nationals in the United States are eligible for specific immigration benefits under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Though these cases are often compared to refugee or political asylum cases, the Cuban Adjustment Act in fact offers benefits unlike those available to other immigrants to the United States. Cuban nationals who enter the U.S. through parole, visitor visas, or various other methods, are eligible for adjustment of status after one year and one day of presence in the U.S. Their spouses and children, including step-children, may also qualify for adjustment of status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, even if not citizens of Cuba themselves. Cubans who become lawful permanent residents and citizens of the United States can also file family petitions for relatives overseas through an expedited family reunification process. In practice, the provisions of the Cuban Adjustment Act can be confusing and unique to this area of immigration law. Our lawyers understand the potential pitfalls of Cuban Adjustment Act cases. We can assist with all aspects of the process, including I-94 initial grants and renewals, representation in immigration court, adjustment of status applications, and family petitions.
