JLA Law Group

Adjustment of Status Attorneys in Norcross and Gwinnett County, Georgia

Case Evaluation→(770) 609-9396

Adjustment of status allows eligible individuals already present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card) without traveling abroad for consular processing. The application is filed on Form I-485 with USCIS. Eligibility categories include family-based immigration (immediate relatives and family preference categories), employment-based immigration, diversity visa lottery winners, asylees and refugees, and special categories such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).

Concurrent filing allows applicants in many categories to file their I-485 along with their underlying petition (such as I-130 or I-140) at the same time. This enables the applicant to simultaneously file Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Form I-131 for advance parole, providing work authorization and the ability to travel internationally while the green card application is pending. The biometrics appointment at the USCIS Application Support Center is typically scheduled within a few weeks of filing.

Common grounds for denial of adjustment include inadmissibility under INA § 212(a), failure to maintain lawful status, unauthorized employment, and criminal convictions. Section 245(i) of the INA provides a grandfathering provision for certain individuals who had a qualifying petition or labor certification filed on their behalf before April 30, 2001, allowing adjustment despite unlawful presence or unauthorized employment. At J. Lee & Associates, our attorneys evaluate every aspect of your eligibility before filing. We serve Norcross, Gwinnett County, and the greater Atlanta metro area.

Steps You Should Take

1

Verify Visa Availability

Check the current Visa Bulletin to confirm an immigrant visa number is immediately available in your category. For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, a visa number is always available. For preference categories, wait times apply.

2

Prepare and File I-485 with Supporting Documents

We compile your complete application package, including civil documents, medical examination (I-693), photographs, and evidence of eligibility. We file concurrently with I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (advance parole) when applicable.

3

Attend Biometrics and Interview

After filing, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and a background check. When the interview is scheduled, our attorneys prepare you thoroughly and attend with you at the USCIS Atlanta Field Office.

4

Call JLA for an Adjustment of Status Evaluation

Call (770) 609-9396 to speak with a bilingual immigration attorney. We assess your eligibility, identify any inadmissibility issues, and determine whether adjustment of status or consular processing is the best path for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to adjust status in the United States?
You must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States (with certain exceptions under INA § 245(i)), have an immediately available immigrant visa number, be admissible to the United States or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility, and not be subject to any bars to adjustment. Family-based, employment-based, and special immigrant categories each have specific requirements.
What is concurrent filing?
Concurrent filing allows you to submit your I-485 adjustment application at the same time as the underlying immigrant petition (I-130 for family, I-140 for employment). This is permitted when a visa number is immediately available. It accelerates the process and allows you to apply for work authorization (EAD) and travel permission (advance parole) right away.
Can I work and travel while my I-485 is pending?
Yes. By filing Form I-765 (EAD) and Form I-131 (advance parole) with your I-485, you receive a combo card that authorizes both employment and international travel. You must have the advance parole document approved before traveling, or your pending I-485 may be considered abandoned.
What is INA § 245(i) grandfathering?
Section 245(i) allows certain individuals to adjust status even if they entered without inspection, worked without authorization, or fell out of status, provided they had a qualifying immigrant petition or labor certification filed on their behalf on or before April 30, 2001. A penalty fee of $1,000 applies. This provision has saved many families from having to pursue risky consular processing.
What happens at the adjustment of status interview?
At the USCIS Atlanta Field Office interview, an officer reviews your application, verifies your identity, confirms your eligibility, and asks questions about your case. For marriage-based cases, the officer assesses the bona fide nature of the relationship. Our attorneys attend the interview with you to ensure your rights are protected.

Applicable Laws

INA § 245 / 8 U.S.C. § 1255Adjustment of status: eligibility requirements, filing procedures, and conditions for applicants within the United States.
INA § 245(i) / 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i)Grandfathering provision allowing adjustment despite unlawful presence for petitions filed before April 30, 2001.
INA § 212(a) / 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)Grounds of inadmissibility: health, criminal, security, public charge, and immigration violation bars to adjustment.
8 CFR § 245.2USCIS regulations governing the adjustment of status application process and interview procedures.

Related Services

Tarjeta VerdeLey de InmigraciónResidencia por MatrimonioLey de InmigraciónPermisos de TrabajoLey de Inmigración

Other Immigration Law Services

G
Green Card
D
Deportation Defense
A
Asylum
V
VAWA
U
U-Visa
D
DACA
N
Naturalization
F
Family Petitions
W
Work Permits
C
Cancellation of Removal
I
I-601 Waiver
M
Marriage Green Card
H
H-1B Visa
T
Temporary Protected Status
S
Special Immigrant Juvenile
C
Criminal & Immigration

Case Evaluation

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Schedule Consultation(770) 609-9396

1250 Tech Dr, Suite 240

Norcross, GA 30093

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