Adjustment of Status Lawyer Manassas Park, VA
For Manassas Park residents navigating the U.S. Immigration system, adjustment of status provides a path to permanent residency without leaving the country. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. assists individuals and families with I-485 applications, eligibility analysis, and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Immigration Court. Reach the firm’s Fairfax Location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a confidential consultation.
What Adjustment of Status Means for Manassas Park Residents
Adjustment of status is the process by which an eligible noncitizen already in the United States may obtain lawful permanent resident status—commonly called a green card—without returning to their home country for consular processing. The Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically 8 U.S.C. § 1255, governs who may adjust status and under what circumstances. Manassas Park residents file affirmative adjustment applications with the USCIS Washington District Office at 2675 Prosperity Avenue in Fairfax. If the applicant is in removal proceedings, the case may be adjudicated at the Arlington Immigration Court, located at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
Because adjustment of status involves detailed factual showings and strict eligibility criteria, an error or omission in the application can result in denial, delay, or even referral to removal proceedings. An experienced immigration attorney reviews each applicant’s immigration history, criminal record, and family relationships to identify eligibility pathways and potential inadmissibility issues before filing. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys focus on preparing a complete, well-documented application that tells the client’s story accurately and persuasively.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Adjustment of Status Cases
Every adjustment of status case begins with a careful evaluation of the applicant’s background. The attorney verifies that the applicant was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States—a foundational requirement under 8 U.S.C. § 1255(a)—and confirms the availability of an immigrant visa. Family-based applicants must have a qualifying relationship with a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner; employment-based applicants need an approved immigrant petition and a current priority date.
After establishing eligibility, the attorney prepares the Form I-485 application along with the required supporting evidence: identity documents, proof of lawful entry, medical examination results, affidavits of support, and evidence of the qualifying relationship. When a waiver of inadmissibility is necessary—for example, under INA § 212(h) for certain criminal grounds or under INA § 601 for unlawful presence—the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys develop the legal argument and factual record to present the strong case to USCIS. The attorney also prepares the applicant and petitioner for the USCIS interview and, if the case is contested, represents the applicant in removal proceedings at the Arlington Immigration Court.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings insight into how government agencies build their cases and evaluates immigration applications with a critical eye for potential weaknesses. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and concentrates his practice on immigration, criminal defense, and family law matters.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to immigration representation. Working in consultation with Mr. Sris, they handle family-based petitions, adjustment of status applications, naturalization, removal defense, and appeals. Their collective knowledge spans the changing immigration statutes and regulations, enabling them to address complex issues such as grounds of inadmissibility, waivers, and relief from removal.
The current filing fee for Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is $1,440.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule, 8 C.F.R. § 103.7. USCIS Fee Schedule
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
The current filing fee for Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is $675.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule. USCIS Fee Schedule
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Most adjustment of status applicants must pay an additional biometric services fee of $85.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule. USCIS Fee Schedule
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a green card cost?
Filing fees for adjustment of status total approximately $2,200 before attorney fees, consisting of the I-485 fee, the I-130 family petition fee, and the biometric services fee. The I-485 (adjustment of status) filing fee is $1,440; the I-130 family petition fee is $675; and the biometric services fee is $85. Fee waivers are available for income-eligible applicants through Form I-912. Additional costs may include the medical examination and any legal representation. Because USCIS fees change periodically, applicants should verify current fees before filing.
How long does adjustment of status take?
Processing times vary significantly, but immediate relative green card applications are often processed in 8 to 14 months. For applicants in family preference categories, the wait depends on visa availability and can range from several years to over a decade depending on the category and the applicant’s country of origin. Employment-based adjustment of status typically takes 12 to 36 months. USCIS processing times are published on the agency’s website and depend on the workload at the field office or service center handling the case.
Who is eligible for adjustment of status in Manassas Park?
Eligibility generally requires that the applicant was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, has an immediately available immigrant visa, and is not subject to any bars to adjustment. Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21) are the most common applicants. Other family-based categories, employment-based petitioners, and certain special programs may also qualify. Applicants with criminal convictions, prior immigration violations, or unlawful presence may need a waiver. An attorney reviews the specific facts of each case to determine if adjustment is possible.
What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status is processed inside the United States, while consular processing requires the applicant to attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad. Adjustment of status allows the applicant to remain in the U.S. During processing and may include work and travel authorization. Consular processing can be faster for some applicants but carries the risk of being stranded abroad if the visa is not approved. An attorney addresses the benefits and risks of each path based on the individual’s circumstances.
What documents are required for adjustment of status?
The application requires proof of identity, evidence of lawful entry, the I-130 petition approval or concurrent filing, an affidavit of support, and a medical examination. Additional documentation includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, and evidence that the applicant is not inadmissible. If a waiver is needed, the attorney prepares a separate application with supporting evidence of hardship to qualifying relatives. Organizing a complete package reduces the risk of a request for evidence or denial.
What if my adjustment of status is denied?
If USCIS denies the application, the applicant may have the right to renew the adjustment request in removal proceedings or file a motion to reopen or reconsider. The denial notice explains the specific grounds. In some cases, the applicant may be placed in removal proceedings, where an immigration judge reviews the case anew. Timely legal action is essential. An attorney evaluates whether the denial can be overcome with additional evidence or legal argument and represents the applicant throughout the process.
Can I work while my adjustment of status is pending?
Applicants may apply for employment authorization by filing Form I-765 together with or after the I-485 application. Once approved, the Employment Authorization Document allows the applicant to work legally in the United States. Processing of the I-765 typically takes several months. Many adjustment applicants also apply for advance parole (travel authorization) to re-enter the U.S. After temporary travel abroad without abandoning the adjustment application.
Do I need a lawyer for an adjustment of status application?
While not required, an attorney helps identify potential issues before filing, prepares a legally sufficient application, and represents the applicant if complications arise. Immigration law is complex, and mistakes can trigger lengthy delays or even deportation. An experienced attorney reviews the applicant’s full immigration and criminal history, gathers the necessary evidence, and advocates at the USCIS interview. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work under Mr. Sris’s supervision to provide thorough representation.
Internal links:
Immigration representation in Fairfax County |
Immigration lawyer for Prince William County |
Manassas immigration attorney |
Falls Church immigration lawyer
Primary source information:
USCIS Adjustment of Status Information |
Virginia’s Judicial System |
Executive Office for Immigration Review
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