Massachusetts Immigration Lawyer Blog

I consider myself to be an effective immigration lawyer. Want a green card? I can show you the options and assess your chances. Have some complicated legal issues but still interested in applying for naturalization to be a U.S. citizen? Or do you need an attorney to represent you in Immigration Court? I can help.

But, as I'm an immigration lawyer in Boston, sometimes I get downright stumped. Here are some frequently asked questions that I have no idea how to answer:

My grandparents/great grandparents/great great grandparents were born in Italy/Ireland. How do I, as a U.S. citizen, obtain Irish/Italian citizenship? The answer is . . . I don't know! I'm a U.S. immigration lawyer but don't know about the laws of foreign countries.

Where can I find a lawyer who can advise me about how U.S. citizens can obtain Irish/Italian citizenship? Again, I don't know the answer. But to find legal advice on issues of Italian or Irish law, I'd look for a lawyer based in Dublin, Milan, etc.

Would it be possible for me to leave the U.S., enter Canada and apply for immigration status there? I love Canada--everyone does. I just don't know anything about Canadian law. For advice on Canadian immigration law, look for a lawyer in Toronto, Montreal, etc.

At the airport, I was refused entry into the U.K. This was unfair. Can you help me do something about it? Again, as a U.S. lawyer, I can't advise you on issues of U.K. law.

The common thread, of course, as that I can only answers questions about U.S. immigration law. Few, if any, lawyers based in the U.S. are licensed to practice in and experts on immigration laws in foreign countries.

So I welcome your questions on topics within my area of expertise--green card, work permits, citizenship and Immigration Court. Just make sure your questions relate to U.S. immigration law.

Green Card Lawyer Boston

At a meeting in my immigration law office in Boston, a potential client recently asked me this question:

I'm interested in hiring an immigration lawyer to prepare my green card case. But is it risky to use an immigration lawyer? I'm concerned that if USCIS sees that I have an immigration lawyer, the immigration officer might get suspicious. By using an immigration lawyer, perhaps the officer will presume that my case has some problem or issue.

The notion that an immigration officer will suspect that your case has some problem simply because you have hired an immigration lawyer is utter nonsense--a complete myth. Everyone has the legal right to be represented by an immigration lawyer of their own choosing. In my experience, using an immigration lawyer never generates suspicion that your case has a problem.

Anyone can fill in your name and address on an immigration form. But only an experienced, effective immigration attorney can spot issues before they crop up. If you decide to prepare your immigration case on your own, without an immigration lawyer, you do so at your own peril. You may think that you don't need an immigration lawyer because you assume that your case is easy. But without an immigration lawyer, you can't be sure that you've seen all the relevant issues. You might need a complicated immigration waiver and not even know it!

So, you now know that if you need help with an immigration issue, you can feel free to hire me or consult with me without fear of reprisal!

Green Card Lawyer Boston, Massachusetts

If I had a dollar for every time a client has told me that their friend got their green card is four weeks, I'd have been able to retire long ago. But the reality is that, right now, if everything goes perfectly, when someone living in the Boston, Massachusetts area seeks a green card through adjustment of status (I-485) based on a concurrently-filed visa petition (I-130) filed by through U.S. citizen spouse, the entire process takes about 5 months, give or take a month or so.

Contrary to my normal experience, yesterday, I witnessed a miracle. My client got a green card in just 27 days. That's right--27 days!  So how was he able to blast through the entire immigration process in such a short period of time?

Here's the background on this happened. My client was a research scientist at a famous university in Boston, Massachusetts. In late-October, he was selected to receive a prestigious award, which carried with it $1 million in research funding. But there was one small problem. To qualify for the award, he needed to become either a permanent resident or a U.S. citizen by the first week of December. I told him that it was unlikely that he would be able to get his green card in such a short time frame. But since he intended to apply for a green card anyway, I saw no harm in trying.

Under time pressure, my office prepared all the immigration forms in a single day. Don't ask me how but the client managed to walk away with a completed medical exam in one day. Next, we filed his green card case with USCIS and got immigration receipt notices back in one week.

Then, I enlisted the help of Ines Goncalves-Drolet, a miracle worker who handles constituent services for Congressman Barney Frank. At the request of Ines and Congressman Frank, USCIS Boston District Office agreed to request the file and expedite my client's I-485. USCIS National Benefits Center sent his green card file to USCIS Boston District Office via overnight courier and an adjustment of status interview was scheduled within a few days time.

For helping my client expedite his green card, I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Congressman Barney Frank, Ines Goncalves-Drolet as well as USCIS Field Director Karen-Anne Haydon, District Director Denis Riordan and the officers and staff at USCIS Boston District Office. Without crucial help from these people and others, my client would likely still be waiting for his green card and one million dollars in research funding might have been lost.

If you want to get your green card approved in an expedited fashion, it's easy!  All you need is an immigration case with impeccable merits, a compelling national interest, the sympathetic ear of a congressional representative, the favorable discretion of your local USCIS field office director . . .  and a good measure of luck.

If you need help with your green card, citizenship or other immigration case, call my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-0005. I'd be happy to help you.

Boston deportation defense lawyer

In a recent immigration consultation, I faced the following situation:

A young man entered the United States on a visitor visa and then fell out of status after overstaying. His brother gained U.S. citizenship and then filed an immigrant visa petition, Form I-130, on his behalf. The young man suffered from serious health issues, which were covered by MassHealth. So, with these facts, the family asked me whether there was some way to expedite the process of getting a green card for the young man.

In my view, this young man will face at least three major issues when seeking a green card.

First, according to the Department of State's most recent Visa Bulletin, an immigration petition filed on behalf a brother or sister is not likely to become current for a long time--10 years or more! And in the meantime, this young man, as the beneficiary of this petition, couldn't obtain a work permit or social security card. Since he is out of status, he could be put in deportation proceedings. An Immigration Judge could order him to be deported and his pending visa petition wouldn't protect him from being deported. And, regardless of this person's medical condition or other compelling equities, I'm not aware of any way to expedite this sort of case. The time frame is what it is. You are bound by the cruel reality of the visa bulletin. In immigration law, as in many other areas of life, no short cuts exist.

Second, since this person is out of status, he has accrued unlawful presence. Therefore, even if he were properly admitted and inspected into the U.S., he would be inadmissible and, thus, wouldn't be able to obtain a green card within the U.S. One exception to this ground of inadmissibility would be for what is called 245(i) cases. But 245(i) requires that the visa petition be filed on or before April 30, 2001.

Third, once the priority date for this visa petition becomes current, since this person can't obtain a green card through adjustment of status, he would have to consular process, i.e, seek an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. But if he were to leave the U.S., his unlawful presence would render him inadmissible and, therefore, result in the denial of his immigrant visa application. To cure the inadmissibility, he would need an immigration waiver, Form I-601. To qualify, he would have to have a U.S. citizen anchor relative and show that his U.S. citizen immediate relative would suffer "extreme hardship" if he weren't allowed to return back to the U.S.  Of course, successful waivers are challenging to prepare.

For more information about how to get a green card through a family member or if you need advice or guidance on other immigration issues, call me and set up a time to meet.

Thinking about filing for a green card, citizenship or other immigration benefits? If so, keep in mind that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is raising filing fees on November 23, 2010.  This increase will generally be about 10% on most applications.  Interestingly, if you want to gain U.S. citizenship, the price for the application for naturalization, N-400, will remain unchanged.  

Boston Deportation Defense Lawyer

The big news today is that my Boston immigration lawyer video is now up and live on Youtube and can be found here.  This video couldn't have happened without the help of lots of talented people. But I owe an especially deep debt of gratitude to my former immigration clients--Hakim, Nerlande, Ade, Paxton and Silvia and Nurahmed.  Your kind words humble me and remind me why I love being an immigration attorney.

Please let me know what you think of my video.  And if you want to gain U.S. citizenship, need help with an immigration waiver, representation in deportation hearings in Immigration Court or advice on your immigration options, call me at 617-722-0005.

Boston, MA Deportation Defense Attorney

As an immigration lawyer, I frequently meet with people who have entered the United States without a visa or without being inspected by an immigration officer at an airport or border. Such people have sneaked their way into the United States and now they seek a green card or some other legal status. We immigration lawyers refer to this class of people as EWIs (entry without inspection).  What immigration options are available to someone who has no proof of being properly admitted and inspected upon entry into the U.S.?

One common path to permanent residency status is through marriage to a U.S. citizen. But U.S. immigration laws only allow someone to get a green card or become a permanent resident through adjustment of status if they can prove that they entered the U.S. with a valid visa. Proof of entry requires an I-94 record of entry, which is why this little piece of paper might be the most important document for your green card case.

If you haven't entered the U.S. with a visa and with inspection by an immigration officer, and are not required to appear in Immigration Court before an Immigration Judge, your immigration options are mostly limited to:

245(i): you can get a green card through marriage, a family member or through employment even if you entered without inspection, overstayed your status or worked without authorization, if you can take advantage of 245(i), which requires you to have been the beneficiary of an approvable labor certification or visa petition (I-130, I-140, I-360, I-526), which was filed on or before April 30, 2001 and were physically present in the U.S. on December 21, 2000. USCIS requires a fee of $1,000.

TPS: Temporary Protective Status is available for people who entered the U.S. without inspection. Although TPS is not a green card and doesn't lead to permanent residency status, those with TPS are eligible for employment authorization, work permits, and may not be deported. TPS is only available for certain nationals of Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan and certain other countries designated by the Department of Homeland Security.

VAWA: The Violence Against Women Act or VAWA provides a path to a green card for victim of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent or spouse even if they entered the U.S. without inspection or parole.

Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture: these persecution-based forms of immigration relief are for people who are afraid to return to their country of origin. Proof of proper entry and inspection isn't required.

Cancellation of Removal for Non-lawful Permanent Residents:  You can obtain a green card by applying for cancellation of removal in Immigration Court before an immigration Judge if you have been continuously present in the U.S. for 10 years, can demonstrate good moral character, and can show that your deportation would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual" hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, child or parent.

Other immigration options may exist for those who have entered without inspection.  If you would like to find out more information about these and other options, feel free to call me in my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-0005.  I'd be happy to meet with you and evaluate your options.

Boston Immigration Lawyer

As an immigration lawyer in Boston, I'm proud to be an advocate of marriage equality for same-sex couples. Given that same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts and elsewhere, the immigration question that I'm asked is usually this: can a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is legally married to a foreign national of the same sex file an I-130 visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to have his or her spouse immigrate as an alien relative?

Sadly, for now at least, the answer to this question is a big "no." The federal government, including USCIS and other federal immigration agencies, doesn't recognize same-sex marriage, even though such marriages are legal in Massachusetts and other states and countries.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) stands as a major obstacle to the recognition of same-sex marriage rights in the immigration context. DOMA defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman for federal law purposes.

Ultimately, the constitutional argument for same-sex marriage is headed for the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, don't bother to file an I-130 visa petition based on a same-sex marriage. Instead, contact me to set up a consultation to explore alternative immigration options.

Boston Green Card Lawyer

You just got married--congratulations. Now, based on your marriage to a U.S. citizen, you want to apply for a green card through the adjustment of status process by filing an I-485 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. But there's one tiny problem: a few years back, you knowingly used someone else's U.S. birth certificate (from Puerto Rico, for instance) to get a Massachusetts driver's license.

As an immigration attorney in Boston, I come across this problem frequently. The question is: will fraudulently obtaining a Massachusetts driver's license by using someone's valid U.S. birth certificate prevent you from getting a green card? The answer is yes. And if you ask me know how to get a green card after getting a state driver's license in this fraudulent manner, I would simply tell you that it can't be done.

Let me explain why. The Immigration and Nationality Act contains a ground of inadmissibility, at Section 212(a)(6)(C)(ii), for anyone who falsely represents himself or herself to being a citizen of the U.S. for any purpose or benefit, or any other federal or state law. Note that the misrepresentation must be "falsely" made--it's possible that you might honestly but incorrectly believe that you are a U.S. citizen. Also, keep in mind how broad this ground of inadmissibility is. Under this standard, you would be inadmissible if you falsely claim to be a U.S. citizen in connection with obtaining ANY benefit under federal or state law including, for example, misrepresentation on Form I-9 or voting.

Does the false claim to U.S. citizenship ground of inadmissibility applies to your particular case? The answer depends on the facts of your case. It's a question best answered by a good immigration attorney because there is absolutely no waiver for false claim to U.S. citizenship.

If you are wondering whether false claim to U.S. citizenship might apply to your case, please contact my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-0005. Make an appointment to meet with me. I'd be happy to help you.

As an immigration attorney in Boston, I've helped countless immigrants navigate through the process of becoming permanent residents through marriage to a U.S. citizen. One of the most frequent questions I get is whether you can successfully obtain a green card through a marriage petition if you and your spouse aren't living together.

The answer is yes . . . and no. Let me explain.

I answered "yes" because there is absolutely no legal requirement that you and your spouse have to be living together in order for you to get a green card through a marriage-based immigration petition. The only requirement is that you and your spouse must persuade U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an Immigration Judge that your marriage was entered into for good faith reasons. You have the burden of proving that your marriage is based on a relationship that is genuine and bona fide. And to meet that burden, you don't have to show cohabitation.

Is it possible to persuade immigration authorities that your marriage is bona fide even if you don't live with your spouse? The answer is really depends on the facts of your case. Perhaps you and your spouse have extensive documentation such as jointly-held insurance, leases, tax returns, bank account statements, which definitively shows that the two of you intend to establish a life as a married couple. But, for whatever reason, life's circumstances require your temporary separation. I've gotten green card cases such as this approved.

But remember: your marriage certificate doesn't entitle you to a green card. And if you do file a marriage-based immigration petition while separated from your spouse, proceed with caution. Marriage fraud is rampant. You shouldn't be surprised if USCIS takes a skeptical view of your relationship. In my experience as an immigration lawyer, you should have a well-documented and compelling reason for living apart.

One final piece of advice: if you are seeking a green card through marriage--whether you live together with your spouse or apart--the absolute worst thing you can do is to claim to be living together with your spouse when, in fact, you are not. Falsely claiming to live with your spouse will doom your chances for a green card. And a denial of your immigration case will likely result in a trip to Immigration Court for deportation proceedings.

If you are thinking about applying for permanent residency through marriage and would like the advice of an experienced immigration attorney, call my Boston immigration law office today at 617-722-0005.

"Can I apply for green card? Yes or no?"
"I just have a quick question"
"My immigration case is easy. What should I do?"

When potential immigration clients call me and ask me these sorts of questions, they want to hear my snap advice on their immigration cases. My usual answer is "it depends." And for potential immigration clients, "it depends" can be frustrating and disappointing response.

Why is it that my off-the-cuff answer to your immigration questions is "it depends"? Is this just my way of luring you into taking the time and incurring the needless expense of coming into my Boston immigration office for a full consultation. Of course not!

The truth is that immigration law is extremely complicated. And the immigration laws are constantly changing. When I say "it depends" what I mean is that your particular immigration options depend on the specific facts of your case. My job is to figuring out how the fact pattern of your case fits into the framework of U.S. immigration laws.

Let me give you an example. If someone were to say, "Hey Josh, I have just have a quick question. Can I you apply for a green card if you enter the United States without inspection?" The answer, in general, would be no. That is because under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, you can't file an I-485 to apply for adjustment of status in the United States unless you can prove entry with inspection and admission.

But that quick, simple answer is misleading and inaccurate because the following 3 exceptions exist:

1. Beneficiaries of 245(i)-eligible visa petitions, i.e., I-130 or I-140 applications filed on or before April 30, 2001, may be able to file for adjustment of status even if they have no proof of how they entered the U.S.




2. Those who are applying for immigration benefits under the Violence Against Women Act or VAWA may file for adjustment of status even if they entered the U.S. without inspection.




3. If you were granted asylum, CAT (Convention Against Torture) or withholding of removal, you may be able to file an I-485 even if you initially came into the U.S. without inspection. In part, this is because asylum and asylum-related applicants apply for adjustment of status under Section 209--not Section 245--of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Would one of these specific exception apply in your immigration case and allow you to apply for a green card even if you entered the U.S. without inspection? The answer is--you guessed it--it depends! My advice would depend on a whole series of follow-up questions. I'd also want to review your passport, USCIS receipt notices and other documentation. And I wouldn't be doing my job if I were to give you legal advice about your immigration situation without asking you if you have ever been arrested or been to court for a criminal case, whether you ever overstayed a visa, given false or misleading information to USCIS, etc.

The bottom line is that if you need immigration advice, there is no such thing as a simple question or a simple immigration case. And the only way I can give you any more advice than "it depends" is if you come see me in person in my Boston office and allow me to methodically analyze your case.

If you need advice or immigration help or representation in Immigration Court in Boston or before USCIS, call me at 617-722-0005 today.

Lately, our Boston immigration law office has been inundated by a flood of people who have had their I-751, petition to remove conditions on permanent residency, denied by USCIS because they were not filed on time. As the I-751 denial letter points out, when the I-751 is denied, all the rights and privileges of permanent residency are terminated. In some cases, the I-751 denial letter is accompanied by a Notice to Appear in Immigration Court, which means that deportation or removal proceedings have been initiated.

If you filed your I-751 late and then got one of these denial letters from USCIS, what should you do? First, take a deep breath. Relax. Don't panic. And, by all means, don't pack your bags and leave the U.S.

Before discussing the solution, let me explain the problem. When you are given a conditional green card, you are required to file, together with your spouse, a petition requesting the removal of the conditional basis for your residency within the 90-day period immediately before the second anniversary of the date that you became a permanent resident. If you fail to file the I-751 by this deadline, the immigration regulations say that you will lose your green card status and be placed in deportation proceedings!

USCIS will permit you to file your I-751 late, after the expiration date on your 2-year conditional green card, but only if you include a written explanation of why you failed to file on time and a written request asking USCIS to excuse the late filing of the I-751. If you file your I-751 late and don't include this written request, USCIS will deny your I-751 on the grounds that it was untimely. This is what happens to many I-751 applicants who include the written explanation and request as required. And even if you include the written explanation and request, USCIS will only excuse a late-filed I-751 for "good cause."

So, with this background in mind, here are 3 possible remedies to the denial of an I-751 for failure to file in a timely manner.

1. Refile the I-751 but this time include the written request that USCIS excuse the late filing and explaining why you file the I-751 late. Since you must convince USCIS that your failure to file on time was for "good cause," you should include affidavits, medical records, financial documents--any and all documentation to support your argument.

2. Request that an Immigration Judge review the denial of your I-751. You can't petition Immigration Court to review the denial of your I-751 directly. You can only do ask Immigration Court for review of the I-751 denial if you are placed in deportation proceedings and required to appear before an Immigration Judge. Immigration Court doesn't have jurisdiction over all denied I-751s but this option is available in some instances. At a hearing in Immigration Court, the Immigration Service--not you--would have the burden of showing that basis for why it denied your I-751.

3. File a motion to reopen the decision by USCIS to deny your I-751.

Which of these options is best path to keeping your green card depends on the facts of your immigration case.  This is a decision best made in consultation with an immigration attorney with substantial experience handling family-based immigration cases and with a strong background in deportation defense.

If you need more help or advice on how to remove the conditions on your green card or if you need representation in Immigration Court, please call me at 617-722-005 and schedule a time to meet with me to discuss your immigration case.

As most people in Boston's Haitian community know by now, Haitian nationals who are now in the U.S. may apply for Temporary Protective Status or TPS to avoid deportation from the U.S. and to obtain a work permit, i.e., employment authorization. Applications for TPS are filed on Form I-821 and must be received by the cut-off deadline of July 20, 2010.

TPS is a generous benefit. Consider the following:

• A final order of deportation or removal will not disqualify you for TPS as a Haitian;
• As a Haitian, you may qualify for TPS even if you are out of status or have overstayed your visa; and
• If you entered the U.S. without inspection, you may still apply for TPS as a Haitian.

I'm often asked by people who are out of status or who have been in deportation proceedings, whether it makes sense to apply for TPS.  The risk is clear.  TPS is, of course, temporary; it is not a green card and doesn't lead to permanent residency, i.e., a green card.  TPS merely provides immigration status and work authorization for a temporary, 18-month period. 

So, if someone has been deported or is out of status, TPS provides only a temporary reprieve for 18 months.  What then will become of countless Haitians with TPS who have orders of removal or who are out of status?  In short, the question that is usually put to me:  "Won't Immigration just come and arrest me after the 18 months are over?"

This is a valid concern.  But I still recommend applying and here's why.  Although TPS for Haitians is designated for 18 months, I suspect that TPS will be around for many years to come.  Consider the example of El Salvador, which was granted TPS after an earthquake in 2001 and since then has been extended for a series of 18-month periods.  And it remains in effect today nearly a decade later.  Based on this and other TPS programs, I don't see Congress taking away TPS for Haiti anytime soon.

And Haitian considering TPS should take another lesson from the experience of El Salvador:  apply before the deadline or you will miss out.  For Haitian seeking TPS the deadline is July 20, 2010.  After that date, your application will be late.

In summary, I generally recommend that all eligible Haitians consider apply for TPS.  If you need immigration help or advice on this or other issues, please call my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-0005 and schedule an immigration consultation with one of our attorneys today.

Green Cards, Marriage and Taxes

As an immigration lawyer in Boston, I know next to nothing about accounting and tax law. But I do know a lot about how your tax return may impact your immigration case.

If you are going through any immigration process, you should expect immigration judges and officers to scrutinize your tax returns. For those who are in the process of applying for a green card through marriage to a permanent resident or to a U.S. citizen or who have filed an I-751 petition to remove the condition on permanent residency, I have 3 tips that may help you:

1. File your taxes jointly with your spouse using "married" status, if possible. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider a jointly filed, married tax return as evidence that your relationship to your spouse is bona fide or genuine. Of course, if you are seeking a permanent residency but don't yet have a social security number it may be impossible to file your taxes jointly with your spouse.   But it is absolutely imperative that you file a married, joint tax return if possible.  The reason that this is so important is that if you file your taxes separately or as "single" immigration authorities may get suspicious and conclude that you and your spouse have a relationship that was entered into solely for the purposes of getting a green card.  If you file "single" during a time that you are married, I suggest that you consider filing an amended tax return to fix this.  

2. Make sure that the address on your W-2s confirms that you live with your spouse. USCIS will want to see your entire tax return, including all schedules, W-2s, 1099s and other schedules.  And if your paycheck is directly deposited into your bank account, then you might not be paying close attention to the address listed on your paycheck or W-2.  But if you are trying to convince an immigration officer that you live with you spouse, you had better be sure that address on your W-2 or paycheck should reflect that you and your spouse do in fact live together.

3. Provide your IRS tax transcripts to immigration authorities.  Whether you are in Immigration Court or appearing at an interview before a USCIS immigration officer, I recommend that you bring with you your IRS-certified tax transcripts and not a copy of your tax return.  The transcripts prove that your return was actually filed and is on record with the IRS and, therefore, is stronger evidence for immigration purposes.  I've seen plenty of denial letters from USCIS that say something along the lines of "although you provided photocopies of your tax return, you did not submit IRS-certified tax transcripts."  The IRS tax transcripts are available at the IRS office in the JFK Federal Building, next to USCIS Boston District Office or can be obtained by filing Form 4506-T with IRS.

If you have more questions about taxes and immigration or any other immigration topic or if you need representation in Immigration Court or elsewhere, please call my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-005 to schedule an appointment.

As an immigration attorney, my goal is to help people get green cards and U.S. citizenship. One of the most important privileges that you gain with US citizenship is the right to file an immigration petition (Form I-130) for your mother and father. But before helping your parents get green cards, you need to think through this decision and weigh your immigration options carefully.

How to lose your green card status

Before you help your parents get green cards, keep in mind that when someone with a green card stops living in the United States, they lost their green card status. It's called abandonment of residency. Once you've been given lawful permanent residency, you can't definitively lose your status until an immigration judge conducts a formal hearing in Immigration Court and rules that you have abandoned your green card or residency status. To make this decision, the Immigration Judge will look at a variety of factors including whether you have worked in the U.S., filed income tax returns, and whether you have maintained an actual home in the U.S.

The 6-Month Rule--an immigration myth

Many people mistakenly think that someone with a green card can keep their immigration status by simply returning to the U.S. and touching U.S. soil once every 6 months. This persistent myth is not true. Does this mean that someone with a green card is not permitted to travel outside the United States? Of course, not! But when a permanent resident travels abroad frequently or stays outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the immigration officers at the airport may question whether the green card holder truly lives in the United States, as the immigration laws require.

Maybe a visitor's visa is a better option than the green card

If your mother or father doesn't really plan to move to the U.S. and live here permanently, the green card might not be suitable. In fact, without residency, the green card could turn out to be a source of future immigration trouble. If your parents just want to visit the US, you could spare yourself and them the hassle and expense of the immigration process and instead simply apply for a visitor's visa at a local US consulate. If you need more immigration advice or information, please email me or call my Boston immigration law office at 617-722-0005 and schedule a consultation.