It is no secret that US immigration law is full of flaws and imperfections, but did you know that there is a loophole for entering the country and adjusting your status?
Many immigrants who enter the US illegally and legally struggle with adjusting their status in the United States because they cannot prove that they entered the country “legally.” If you have a visa, you are eligible to adjust status in the US But what if you entered the US without a visa?
This is the question we asked our green card attorney from the Familia America Immigration law firm.
According to federal immigration law, you are eligible to adjust status if you have been “inspected and admitted or paroled” at the border. In a sense, this requirement prevents illegal and undocumented immigrants from obtaining a green card adjusting status, but this is not entirely true.
The requirement that you entered “legally” has a major flaw, which the Donald Trump administration may not be aware of. Courts have ruled time and time again that a person riding in a car through a border checkpoint is automatically “inspected and admitted or paroled.” Yes, even if you are riding in a car without a visa.
This is the loophole that even the best immigration lawyer in Utah and elsewhere in the US are not aware of. More often than not, these immigration lawyers ask “Did you enter legally?” while the proper questions should be, “Did you cross the border at a checkpoint?” and “Were you in a car?”
Whether or not you saw an immigration officer when crossing the border is also vital to determine if you are eligible to adjust status. If you entered the U.S. without a visa by riding in a car, it also matters whether you came in contact with the immigration officer, what he or she asked, what you answered, and whether you provided false information, e.g. by telling the officer that you were a US citizen.
Only an experienced green card attorney can determine whether or not your entry sufficiently establishes an admission or parole into the U.S. and to confirm your eligibility to adjust status. Do not attempt to adjust your status by taking advantage of this loophole without consulting with a lawyer from the Familia America Immigration law firm .
There are many potential challenges in applying to adjust your status through this loophole, as you will have to prove that you crossed the border in a car. More often than not, it is sufficient to provide affidavits or written statements, especially if these statements come from the person driving the car or assisting to enter the United States. Needless to say, the driver may not always be eager to write a statement if he or she is smuggling people illegally into the country, which is prohibited by law.
If you, for example, swam or walked across the desert and evaded border agents and immigration officers to enter the county, you will most likely not be eligible to adjust your status. Riding in a car through a border checkpoint may be your best way to enter the US legally to obtain a green card and become a permanent US resident.
Get a consultation from our green card attorney at the Familia America Immigration law firm. Call our Salt Lake office at 801-656-9605 , our San Jose office at 408-418-6621 , or fill out this contact form . Se habla Espanol.
The post The Loophole In Immigration Law For Entering The U.S. And Adjusting Status appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Attorney Gloria Cardenas brings more than 30 years of experience in immigration law to help protect the rights of clients and their family members. She and her knowledgeable team at Familia America work diligently behind the scenes to help process fiancé visa applications as quickly as possible. To learn more, contact the legal professionals at Familia America in Salt Lake City and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
