Two common mistakes when filing for a green card application

1. Not asking for help or receiving it from the wrong places, and
2. Missing deadlines.

What if you miss a deadline?

Let’s start with the deadline issue.  If you miss a non-immigration related deadline on an application form you may have to refile and you may lose any application fee.  However, when applying for an immigration benefit missing a deadline may result in

1. Being placed in removal proceedings;
2. Denial of your petition; or
3. A costly appeal with an explanation of why you missed the deadline in the first place

In all three, you will be delayed in achieving the benefit you were seeking.  So you ask, “What can I do to prevent this?” There are two main ways in which you can prevent this issue.  The first is simply being diligent about the deadlines and ensure that you do not miss them.  But let’s be honest, sometimes deadlines can come much faster than you expected them to, or you may even have trouble finding out when the deadline is. This leads to the second solution, ask for help.

Should you ask for help?

Asking for help can be difficult, but many times one of the easiest and simplest ways to make sure you get everything done right and on time, is to have someone helping you along the way.  The question now becomes, whom do you ask for help? Your family can be a valuable asset, but you have to consider the complexity of these applications, waivers, and the various laws that apply.  The best place to seek help is in the legal sector.  However, even within the legal sector, there are various avenues you can pursue.  For example, you can do something similar to what you are doing now, read blog information from a law firm.  Posts such as this one can present very valuable information, so they can prove to be valuable assets. However, you cannot ask a post a question.  Your best chance is to seek the help of an immigration attorney, as no one else will be as up to date on immigration laws, or have as much experience in filling out the necessary forms and waivers.

For these reasons, the two most common mistakes in applying for a green card can be easily avoided if you seek the necessary help from a qualified source.  Please do not dismiss this information as an attorney asking you to pay him something, but rather examine the value of this information.  Someone who truly understands how to help you can be the difference between your green card application being approved, and that same application being denied.

Free Resources Available for You

If you face an immigration challenge we have some valuable resources for you:

1. Do You Qualify for Legal Status?  If you aren’t legal in the U.S. you owe it to yourself to find out if you can get legal status.  Select the link, answer the questions, and find out for FREE.
2. Do You Need an Immigration Attorney? You Might Not – I will explain when you need an immigration attorney.  Not every needs one.  I will also explain the benefits of hiring one in any immigration challenge.
3. 7 Critical Questions to ask Before Hiring an Immigration Attorney – If you have decided that you need an immigration attorney, how do you make sure you hire a good one?  I explain to you the questions you need to ask before you hire your immigration attorney.
4. An Immigrant’s Guide to Municipal Court – Here I discuss what happens if you get arrested by Immigration Customs Enforcement, what you need to know to get out of custody, and what to expect if you are placed in removal hearings.  I also explain the municipal court process and how a municipal court matter can result in your being placed into removal proceedings.

If you have immigration questions, we have answers.  You can,

1. Call our knowledgeable staff at 888-695-6169;
2. Fill out our contact us form on this page; or
3. Select our live chat feature to speak to someone right away.

We help immigrants, one petition at a time.