New York City Immigration Lawyer. NYC immigration lawyer assisting with K-1 fiancee visas, EB 1-A Extraordinary Abilities Visa, EB 1-2 Outstanding Researchers and Professors Visa, and all other visas, green cards, naturalization and citizenship. Gafner Law Firm is a full service NYC immigration law firm serving clients in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brookyln, the Bronx, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Yonkers, Astoria, Greenpoint, Murray Hill, Bushwick, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Brownsville, Corona, Harlem, SoHo, Tribeca, Longwood, Hunts Point, Flatbush, Brooklyn Heights, Wall Street, Jersey City and from throughout the world. » Immediate Relatives http://www.gafnervisalaw.com A NYC Immigration Lawyer Providing Immigration and Naturalization Advice to Clients from throughout the World. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:27:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 New Filing Location for Stand Alone I-130 Filings http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2012/01/03/new-filing-location-for-stand-alone-i-130-filings/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2012/01/03/new-filing-location-for-stand-alone-i-130-filings/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:15:34 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=3880 The USCIS has announced that effective January 1st, 2012, it will begin accepting stand alone I-130 petitions at two different lockbox locations.  The I-130 petition is used to file for an immigrant petition based upon family relationships, such as being a spouse of a U.S. citizen, child of a U.S. citizen, parent of a U.S. [...]]]> The USCIS has announced that effective January 1st, 2012, it will begin accepting stand alone I-130 petitions at two different lockbox locations.  The I-130 petition is used to file for an immigrant petition based upon family relationships, such as being a spouse of a U.S. citizen, child of a U.S. citizen, parent of a U.S. citizen, and sibling of U.S. citizen.

The form will not be received at both a Chicago and Phoenix lockbox, and at a different location from where the I-130 is filed when accompanied by other immigration petitions.  Failure to file at the correct location will result in a delay of the petition being processed (and its possible rejection).

If you are seeking to file an I-130, please contact a family immigration lawyer.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2012/01/03/new-filing-location-for-stand-alone-i-130-filings/feed/ 0 USCIS to Issue Joint Advance Parole and Work Authorization Document for Family Immigration Petitions http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2011/02/14/uscis-to-issue-joint-advance-parole-and-work-authorization-document-for-family-immigration-petitions/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2011/02/14/uscis-to-issue-joint-advance-parole-and-work-authorization-document-for-family-immigration-petitions/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:10:40 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=2812 The USCIS has announced that it will soon begin issuing joint advance parole and work authorization documents for applicants seeking family-based immigration petitions.

Normally, when an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen seeks to obtain permanent residency in the United States, the applicant will file an “adjustment of status” application and will concurrently file an [...]]]> The USCIS has announced that it will soon begin issuing joint advance parole and work authorization documents for applicants seeking family-based immigration petitions.

Normally, when an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen seeks to obtain permanent residency in the United States, the applicant will file an “adjustment of status” application and will concurrently file an application for work authorization and an application for advance parole.  Advance parole will allow the applicant to travel outside of the United States while the application is pending.  The work authorization document will provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to work lawfully.

Previously, the work authorization and the advance parole document were two separate documents that would arrive at roughly the same time.  The move to make one unique form that covers both work authorization and advance parole is an efficient move in the right direction for USCIS.

If you are thinking about applying for permanent residency through a family member, please contact an family immigration lawyer who can ensure you receive all of the benefits afforded to you.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2011/02/14/uscis-to-issue-joint-advance-parole-and-work-authorization-document-for-family-immigration-petitions/feed/ 0 New York City Stokes Interview for Marriage Immigration http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/06/15/new-york-city-stokes-interview-for-marriage-immigration/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/06/15/new-york-city-stokes-interview-for-marriage-immigration/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:00:47 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=2160 This past weekend, the New York Times ran an article about the Stokes Unit at the New York City USCIS Field Office.   The Stokes Unit is the Immigration unit that reviews marriage visa cases to ensure that a marriage is entered into for the right reasons and that a marriage is not entered into solely [...]]]> This past weekend, the New York Times ran an article about the Stokes Unit at the New York City USCIS Field Office.   The Stokes Unit is the Immigration unit that reviews marriage visa cases to ensure that a marriage is entered into for the right reasons and that a marriage is not entered into solely for immigration purposes.

The article is an interesting read for any applicant seeking an immigration benefit based upon marriage to a U.S. citizen.  It gives applicants a better understanding of the immigration process and it shows how some applicants do not quite understand the process or what the Stokes Unit is seeking to determine.

If you have any questions about Stokes Interviews, or marriage visas in general, please do not hesitate to contact a NYC immigration lawyer.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/06/15/new-york-city-stokes-interview-for-marriage-immigration/feed/ 0 Can A US Citizen Sponsor His or Her Parents? http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/31/can-us-citizen-sponsor-parent/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/31/can-us-citizen-sponsor-parent/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:51:19 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=1850 Becoming a U.S. citizen is a long and difficult path.  Many newly minted American citizens have had to endure years filled with almost endless immigration hoops and barriers.  Once they become newly minted American citizens, some of the first questions that they ask are about their parents:

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor his or her [...]]]> Becoming a U.S. citizen is a long and difficult path.  Many newly minted American citizens have had to endure years filled with almost endless immigration hoops and barriers.  Once they become newly minted American citizens, some of the first questions that they ask are about their parents:

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor his or her parents for a green card?

Can a U.S. citizen help his or her parents become a lawful permanent resident?

Can a U.S. citizen petition for a parent’s visa allowing them to come to the United States?

The answer is almost always yes.  It is possible for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a father or mother for a permanent residency card.   Additionally, the parent is considered an immediate relative and can obtain a visa number immediately…meaning that the parent of a U.S. citizen can enter the United States rather quickly when compared to other immigration situations.

There are certain limitations though.  First, only U.S. citizens who are 21 or older are able to petition for their parents to obtain a green card.  Additionally, the parents must be able to show that they will not become a public charge.

If you want to bring your parents to the United States, please contact a New York City immigration lawyer.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/31/can-us-citizen-sponsor-parent/feed/ 0