What Is Form I-130 and Who Needs to File It in 2026?
Your Guide to Filing Form I-130 for a Family-Based Green Card in 2026 Feldman Feldman & Associates PC is based in San Diego and represents clients nationwide. Key Takeaways: Form I-130, officially called the Petition for Alien Relative, starts the family-based green card process. U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents may file this […]
What Is the Dhanasar Three-Prong Test for EB-2 NIW in 2026?
Who Qualifies to File an EB-2 NIW Self-Petition? The Dhanasar three-prong test is the legal framework USCIS uses to decide whether an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitioner deserves a waiver of the usual job offer and labor certification requirements. Established in Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016), this test requires you […]
Can STEM Professionals Self-Petition for an EB-2 NIW in 2026?
Yes, STEM Professionals Can Self-Petition for a Green Card Through the EB-2 NIW Key Takeaways: Yes, STEM professionals can self-petition for a green card through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver in 2026 without an employer sponsor or labor certification. To qualify, applicants must meet EB-2 eligibility by holding an advanced degree or its equivalent (bachelor’s […]
What Is Adjustment of Status and How Does a Lawyer Help?
Understanding Adjustment of Status and Why a Green Card Lawyer Matters Adjustment of status is the process to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card) while physically present in the United States, rather than returning to your home country for visa processing abroad. For many immigrants pursuing permanent residence through family relationships, employment, […]
What Is Form I-751 and Why Do Conditional Residents Need It?
If you received a marriage-based green card and your marriage was less than two years old at the time, your permanent resident status came with conditions. Form I-751 is the petition you must file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remove those conditions and secure full, unconditional lawful permanent resident status. Missing this […]
What Happens to Conditional Residents Who Miss the I-751 Filing Window?
Missing the I-751 filing deadline can feel overwhelming, but understanding your options is the first step toward protecting your permanent resident status. If you hold a conditional (two-year) marriage-based green card and have missed or are at risk of missing your filing window, you may still have paths forward. The consequences are serious, but USCIS […]
What Is the Difference Between EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Green Cards?
If you are a foreign national or U.S. employer exploring pathways to lawful permanent residence, understanding the employment-based green card categories is crucial. The three primary employment-based preference categories, EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, each carry distinct eligibility standards, evidentiary requirements, and procedural considerations that significantly affect your timeline and strategy. Choosing the wrong category can […]
What Happens if USCIS Denies an I-751 Petition in 2026?
What Happens if USCIS Denies an I-751 Petition in 2026? Receiving a denial on your I-751 petition can feel devastating, but it does not necessarily mean your fight for lawful permanent residence is over. When USCIS denies a petition to remove conditions on residence, the agency will refer your case to immigration court for removal […]
What Is Adjustment of Status and How Does It Lead to a Green Card?
What Is Adjustment of Status and How Does It Lead to a Green Card? Adjustment of status is the legal procedure that allows eligible individuals already present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status without leaving the country. This process serves as one of two general paths to obtaining a […]
What Is an I-751 Waiver and Who Qualifies in 2026?
What Is an I-751 Waiver and Who Qualifies in 2026? An I-751 waiver allows conditional permanent residents to remove conditions on their green card without filing jointly with their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse. If your marriage-based green card was issued when your marriage was less than two years old, you received conditional […]
