Green Card Lawyer New York County, NY
For residents of New York County (Manhattan), the green card application process can be complex. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides immigration counsel to individuals and families pursuing lawful permanent residence through family sponsorship, employment, and other eligible pathways. Mr. Sris, together with the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, works with clients at every stage—from initial eligibility review through adjustment of status interviews at the USCIS New York City Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza. Since 1997, the firm has served clients across the five boroughs, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Reach our New York location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation about your green card matter. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Obtaining a Green Card in New York County
New York County—Manhattan—is home to one of the busiest USCIS field offices in the country. The New York City Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza processes most interviews for family-based green cards, naturalization, and adjustment of status for Manhattan residents, while certain applications may be routed to the Holtsville Field Office on Long Island. Removal proceedings and defensive immigration applications are heard at the New York Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza or the Varick Street Immigration Court. New York City Executive Order 41 limits city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, which can affect how certain cases proceed locally.
Whether you are seeking a green card through an immediate relative petition, a family preference category, or an employment-based category, the eligibility requirements are governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Under 8 U.S.C. § 1151, immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens—spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents—are exempt from numerical visa caps, while other family and employment categories are subject to annual limits and per-country caps. The applicable USCIS form, supporting documentation, and interview location depend on the specific category and your current immigration status. Legal guidance helps avoid common filing errors that can lead to delays or denials.
The firm’s New York location serves clients throughout Manhattan, including Midtown, Lower Manhattan, the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, the East Village, the Financial District, Chinatown, Washington Heights, and Inwood. Consultations are available by appointment at (888) 437-7747.
Because green card adjudications can involve interviews in person at the Federal Plaza field office, it is important to prepare thoroughly. An experienced immigration attorney can help you gather the appropriate financial documents, civil records, and any discretionary evidence, and can attend the interview with you to address procedural or legal questions that may arise.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Green Card Cases
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. approaches each green card matter with careful attention to the applicable INA provisions and the specific facts of the client’s situation. Mr. Sris, who founded the firm in 1997 after serving as a former prosecutor, brings extensive legal experience to immigration matters. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contribute background in family law, criminal defense, and federal practice—experience that can be particularly valuable when a client’s immigration case intersects with state criminal charges, domestic relations orders, or federal appellate proceedings.
The process typically begins with a detailed consultation to identify the most suitable green card pathway, evaluate any potential inadmissibility issues, and outline the steps ahead. For clients in Manhattan, this often means preparing an I-130 petition, an I-485 application for adjustment of status, or consular processing documents if the family member is abroad. The firm helps clients respond to Requests for Evidence, prepare for USCIS interviews, and file motions to reopen or reconsider if an application is denied. Throughout, the client remains in communication with the team. The timeline for a green card varies depending on the case category, USCIS processing times, and whether the case involves a visa bulletin wait. The firm’s role is to work toward a favorable outcome and to help the client understand each stage.
If a matter requires removal defense—such as when a green card application is filed in removal proceedings before the New York Immigration Court—Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in court and prepare the necessary legal memoranda, including applications for cancellation of removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1229b, if applicable. New York’s sanctuary policies do not prevent federal immigration proceedings, but they may affect local law enforcement interactions. The firm advises clients on how these local policies intersect with federal immigration law.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., which he established in 1997. As a former prosecutor, he has a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system, a background that informs his approach to immigration cases—particularly those involving criminal convictions that may affect admissibility or removal. 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 to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys collectively bring experience in immigration, family law, criminal defense, and administrative law. Because the firm does not employ associates or partners, each attorney works directly with clients under the supervision of Mr. Sris. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has documented over 4,739 case results across all its practice areas since 1997, with a favorable outcome rate exceeding 93%. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Green Cards in New York County
How do I get a green card through family in New York County?
A U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident family member files a petition with USCIS, and the foreign national applies for a green card either through adjustment of status within the United States or through consular processing abroad. For immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens, a visa number is always available, so the petition and green card application can often be filed concurrently. For family preference categories, the beneficiary must wait until a visa number becomes current according to the Visa Bulletin. Manhattan residents generally file at the New York City Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza. An attorney can help determine the correct category and ensure the paperwork is complete.
What is the adjustment of status process?
Adjustment of status allows a person who is already in the United States to apply for a green card without leaving the country. The process involves filing Form I-485 and supporting documents with USCIS. Most family-based applicants will also file Form I-130 simultaneously. Once the petition is received, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment and later an interview at the local field office. For Manhattan applicants, this is typically at 26 Federal Plaza. If the application is approved, the green card is issued. If issues arise, a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny may be issued. An experienced immigration attorney can respond appropriately.
How long does it take to get a green card for New York County residents?
Processing times vary widely depending on the green card category, USCIS office workload, and whether the beneficiary is subject to visa bulletin wait times. Immediate relative cases are generally processed the fastest, often taking several months to over a year. Family preference categories can take significantly longer due to numerical limits. The New York City Field Office handles a high volume of cases, and interview scheduling depends on the office’s calendar. You can check current processing times on the USCIS website, but an attorney can help manage expectations and respond to delays.
Can I work while my green card application is pending?
You may apply for employment authorization by filing Form I-765 along with your adjustment of status application, or separately after filing, if eligible. Once USCIS approves the employment authorization document (EAD), you can work legally in the United States. The EAD typically takes several months to process. If you already hold a valid work visa, you may continue working under that status while the green card is pending. It is important not to work without authorization, as doing so could negatively affect your application.
What if my green card application is denied?
If USCIS denies your application, you may have the right to file a motion to reopen or reconsider, or to appeal the decision to the Administrative Appeals Office or the Board of Immigration Appeals, depending on the type of decision. The denial notice will state the reason, which could be based on missing evidence, a legal determination of ineligibility, or a discretionary finding. Prompt action is important because deadlines to respond are strict. In some cases, it may be possible to refile a corrected application. An immigration attorney can review the denial and advise on the trusted option for your situation.
Do I need a lawyer for a green card application in Manhattan?
You are not required by law to hire an attorney, but a lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that lead to delays or denials, and can attend your USCIS interview with you. The green card process involves detailed forms and must disclose personal history that can trigger grounds of inadmissibility. An experienced attorney can identify potential problems early, help you gather the strongest evidence, and respond to agency requests. For Manhattan applicants facing complicated circumstances—such as prior immigration violations or criminal records—legal representation is especially valuable. To discuss your case, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.