Your Past May Haunt You: In a Good Way

By:  Coleman Jackson, Attorney
June 29, 2016

Are you an immigrant hiding in the shadows, doubting whether you have any hope of immigrating lawfully to the United States?

Are you an immigrant hiding in the shadows, doubting whether you have any hope of immigrating lawfully to the United States?  U.S. Immigration law is complex.  Do you have a grandfather or grandmother who is a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident?  Let me tell you about some long ago U.S. Immigration Policies that could be a beacon of hope.  In fact it could present to you a clear immigration path.

Long ago, grandparents may have filed immigrant petitions for your parents that could possibly benefit you today in your quest to get a Green Card (Lawful Permanent Resident Status).  Immigration and Nationality Act Section 245(i) as amended by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE) Amendments of 2000 affects eligibility and adjustments of status of certain immigrants who benefits from a petition filed long ago by a parent or grandparent.  These grandfathered primary beneficiaries and derivative beneficiaries (e.g. children of primary beneficiaries) of old Family Immigration Petitions could under INA Section 245(i) be permitted to apply to adjust status notwithstanding the fact she or he entered the Unites States without inspection, overstayed a visa authorization, or worked without authorization.   Bottom line; immigrants need to have family discussions because even a grandchild could possibly be grandfathered by a Petition filed years ago by their grandparent for their mom or dad.

This is a very complex area of law.  A visa must be available and other intricacies of immigration law apply.

This law blog is written by the Taxation | Litigation | Immigration Law Firm of Coleman Jackson, P.C. for educational purposes; it does not create an attorney-client relationship between this law firm and its reader.  You should consult with legal counsel in your geographical area with respect to any legal issues impacting you, your family or business.

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Taxation, Litigation, Immigration Law Firm | English (214) 599-0431 | Spanish (214) 599-0432