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In the interest of public health, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires a medical exam before you can enter this country. This helps to prevent you from bringing in diseases or illnesses that you may pass on to others and that could result in an epidemic or another widespread health issue. It is possible for the USCIS to deny your application on health-related grounds. One of those grounds is that you do not have the required vaccinations.

The USCIS explains there is a waiver available for the vaccination requirement. You must provide documentation that you have the required immunizations, or you may submit documentation providing an allowance for you not to have the immunizations.

A waiver may be available if you have an objection on moral or religious grounds. You also can provide proof that you have received the vaccinations, which qualifies you for the waiver. If you cannot do that, you can provide documentation from a medical professional stating that it is against medical opinion or otherwise medically impossible that you receive the vaccine.

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Legal immigration is currently one of the most stressful obstacles that migrants tackle in Texas. Worrying about a family member’s immigration status may cause even legal residents and U.S. citizens a lot of stress and sleepless nights. One way migrants may seek to adjust their immigration status is to file an I-601 form. This may provide a waiver against the grounds of inadmissibility.

However, not everyone is eligible to use this. Here are some of the criteria for eligible applicants, according to USCIS:

  • Be in the process of securing lawful presence in the U.S. via a pending case with the Department of State or by pursuing an immigrant visa
  • Ability to show how the refusal of admission may cause hardship to a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen
  • Acknowledge a period of unlawful presence that may make it difficult for the person to return to the U.S.
  • Current, physical presence in the United States to file the application and provide biometric data
  • Be 17 years or older

Note that this is just a summary of the criteria and that eligible applicants must meet all criteria to apply. People who have received a final order of deportation or who are already facing a final order of removal may not be eligible. Note that USCIS reserves the right to reject applications when people do not provide the necessary biometrics and if they do not pay the correct fees.

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Texas troops living overseas already have a difficult time. They put their lives in harm’s way while dealing with the loneliness that distance brings.

For troops who have found a family outside of the United States and those already vying for citizenship, changes in the naturalization process may make things even harder going forward.

Closing the doors

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How can you apply for your SSN?

Posted on in Firm News

If you are a Texas resident and received your citizenship through a K-1 Visa or through a work permit, you need a Social Security Number. Without a SSN, you cannot report your earnings to the U.S government. If you are not sure how to apply for your SSN, then you are not alone. Fortunately, the SSA makes the whole process simple.

If you apply to work within the U.S, the SSA states that you can apply for anSSN cardat the same time. The application for employment authorization contains a section that allows you to request your SSN. When the USCIS approves the application, the SSA issues you the SSN card. If you already have an SSN, then you receive a replacement card.

In a case where you do not request an SSN in this form, then you can visit the SSA office in person.There, you can apply for an SSN once you have employment authorization. If you plan to request your Social Security Number, there are documents that you need. These documents include:

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Immigration issues can be a challenge for anyone, but for some people the stakes are especially high. For example, families who have young children may be worried about how an unfavorable outcome could affect the lives of their children and their future opportunities. Moreover, this process can be very stressful, which is often very hard for kids who may be working through other issues related to immigration (such as difficult emotions due to leaving loved ones behind in another country or adjusting to a new culture). It is critical to do everything in your power to help your kids work through these changes and prepare for what lies ahead.

Your children may have a lot of questions about what is going on and what will happen next. It can be difficult for some parents to answer these questions, especially if they are uncertain about their future as well. For these reasons, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate your circumstances and do your best to have a solid understanding of the various immigration issues that you will have to take on. Everyone is in a different situation when it comes to immigration, and this is particularly true for families. However, by doing all that you can to succeed with respect to your immigration case and beyond, you may be able to give your children the head start they need in life.

Try to provide your kids with reassurance and make them feel comfortable, even if you are dealing with high levels of stress and uncertainty. Read more on immigrating with a family on our site.

If you and your fiancé are looking forward to marriage, there may be many different issues that have to be taken into consideration first, especially if your fiancé needs to deal with immigration issues and obtain a visa. This may be a very exciting time in both of your lives, but there may be a number of legal issues to take into consideration beforehand. The way in which you approach the visa process could play a key role in your fiancé’s ability to obtain a visa and move forward in your relationship, so it is imperative to prepare carefully.

From filing an application to getting a health exam and getting ready for an interview, there are a lot of different tasks that will have to be taken care of in order to help your fiancé work through immigration matters. It may seem stressful, especially if you are dealing with other concerns and stressors, such as planning your wedding or preparing to move to another part of the country after your wedding. With that being said, the visa process should be a top priority, especially since an unsuccessful outcome could be disastrous with respect to your marriage and the future of your relationship.

We know how overwhelming these things can be for couples, but the process can be broken down into smaller steps and you can have more confidence with the tasks you will have to work through in the near future. Please take the opportunity to review our website to read more about approaching the visa process with your fiancé.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is the culmination of your immigration journey, and the naturalization test is an important component of citizenship. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, almost 757,000 people took the test in the 2018 fiscal year, which is the highest number in the last five years.

The USCIS designed the naturalization test to assess whether immigrants understand the full significance of what it means to be a U.S. citizen and what values Americans hold dear. In particular, you can expect questions that evaluate your knowledge of the basics of U.S. history and government.

American history has played a primary role in shaping the values of its citizens. By studying the country’s past, you can gain a better understanding of the culture and society you are joining.

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As an immigrant living in Texas after attaining your U.S. citizenship, you probably have family members still living in your native country. If you wish to help them gain entry into the U.S., you will be pleased to know that you and they have many visa options from which to choose.

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs explains that family immigration visas fall within two categories, Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas and Family Preference Immigrant Visas.

Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas

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Because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services offers special immigration options for foreign nationals who are married to U.S. citizens, some people in Texas may feel tempted to enter into an arranged marriage just to gain a green card. As FindLaw explains, this is marriage fraud, and the USCIS has methods for attempting to catch those who try it.

One of these is the marriage interview.

Interview information requests

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How do I apply for a green card?

Posted on in green cards

A green card allows an individual to permanently live and work in the United States. If you are eligible for this document, you must follow the application process carefully to successfully receive green card status.

Follow these steps to apply for permanent U.S. residency when you are already living in the country.

Select your eligibility category

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How do I qualify for a green card?

Posted on in green cards

A green card allows you to live legally in the United States. With this document, you can make your home in Texas, secure a job and take advantage of other benefits from being a legal immigrant. There are many ways you can secure a green card, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Some methods require you know people already living in the United States while others allow you to pave your own way.

Green cards are available if you are a crime victim or refugee. You may also get one when seeking asylum in the country. If you are a victim of abuse from a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident or Cuban native, then you may also qualify. You may also file for a green card if you have been living in the country since before January 1, 1972 continuously.

If you have a special immigrant status, you may also get a card. Special includes working as a member of the media, a juvenile who has been abandoned, abused or neglected by your parents and religious workers. You may also be considered special if you are a retired employee of NATO or other international organizations.

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If you wish to get married in Texas to someone who is not a U.S. citizen, then there are some things you will have to do to ensure he or she is legally allowed in the country. This involves getting a fiancé visa or a K-1 visa. You may have seen the popular TV show about this topic where people get married within 90 days of their fiancé coming to the country. There is a very good reason that the focus is on those 90 days.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you have to get married to the person using the K-1 visa within 90 days of them entering the country. However, that is only a small part of the whole process.

Your first step in the process is to file the correct forms and get recognition from the U.S. of your relationship. You may need to provide evidence as well. Once you have an approval of your relationship status, your fiancé can then file for the visa.

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Entering the United States through Texas or any other border requires all potential immigrants to undergo a serious of tests and pass specific criteria before obtaining a visa. The answers given may automatically disqualify some from continuing the process.

In certain circumstances, the person can apply for a waiver overlooking the portion of the application that the government deems inadmissible.

Inadmissible conditions

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As you help your loved one complete the application to request a provisional unlawful presence waiver in Texas, you may feel overwhelmed by the paperwork involved in completing the requirements. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we often provide advice and assistance to people filling out these documents.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the I-601A form must include extensive information about your loved one, including the following:

  • Alien registration number (if there is one)
  • Family name
  • Physical U.S. address
  • Birth date
  • Birth country

There will also be a section where your loved one will provide information about his or her immigrant visa case. This includes the basis for his or her immigration to the U.S., the KCC case number (if there is one), the receipt number from the USCIS for the approved immigrant visa petition (if there is one) and, if applicable, the NVC case number.

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If the U.S. immigration services determine you are not eligible to come into the country, you may not be able to move here and make Texas your home. However, you may also qualify for an exemption to your inadmissibility. Do keep in mind such exceptions are not given freely. You will have to meet strict requirements. The specific waiver you may be able to get is based on the extreme hardship policy.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services admits that there is no one firm definition of what qualifies as an extreme hardship. This complicates things. However, the idea behind this waiver is to prevent cases of unusual hardship for U.S. citizens who have a family member who is not allowed entry to the U.S.

The key here is that the hardship has to be something beyond normal. So, for example, saying the hardship would be monetary only would probably not qualify as extreme because that is a very normal occurrence. You would need something that is unusual and not common. It is very normal for every single family who has a member denied entry to experience some hardship because of the denial. Extreme hardship goes further than that.

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How do I renew my green card?

Posted on in green cards

Being legally in the United States and in Texas gives you many perks. You are able to find employment, attend school and take advantage of other benefits. If you have a green card, it is not a lifelong pass to stay in this country. Depending on the type of card, you may have to renew it or you may need to take additional steps to ensure it remains valid.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains that you may have a 10-year or 2-year green card. If you have a 2-year green card, you cannot renew it. You will, instead, need to petition to remove the conditions on your card. You may do this if you have a family-based reason by using Form I-751. You may also do this if you are an entrepreneur or an investor using Form I-829.

If you have a 10-year green card, then you can renew it. You will do so using Form I-90. You may file this form either online or through the mail. It is important to plan ahead. When you know your renewal time is coming up, you should start the process within six months to allow enough time to prevent a lapse.

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Many undocumented immigrants in the United States have immediate relatives who are U.S. citizens. Through their unlawful presence in the country, these individuals may have jeopardized their ability to lawfully change their status, even though they may otherwise be eligible because of their family relationship to a citizen.

It may still be possible for immigrants to adjust their status, but they must leave the country to legally obtain an immigrant visa. Before they do so, they may file Form I-601A for a provisional waiver.

Eligibility

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How to seek a fiancé(e) visa

Posted on in fiancé visas

If you are a U.S. citizen who is planning to marry a person who does not have citizenship, you can seek a fiancé(e) visa. Also known as a K-1 visa, this type of spousal citizenship is available for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

If approved, your fiancé(e) can legally enter the United States and apply for a Green Card to become a permanent resident. However, you must get married within 90 days of his or her arrival.

Who is eligible for a K-1 visa?

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For immigrants in Texas to obtain full citizenship, they must go through the process of naturalization. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines naturalization as the process required to become a citizen of a country that is different than the one the person as born in. There are several different steps to become naturalized, and they are all specified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The first step is to complete an application for naturalization. This involves obtaining two passport-style photos, collecting all the evidence and documents necessary for the application and a complete review of the interview to correct any mistakes made.

Second, there is a biometrics appointment where the person gives a signature, photo and fingerprints. It is important to show up at the right time with a permanent resident card or Form I-551, the appointment notice and some sort of secondary identification form. This can include a state identification card, passport or driver’s license. Fingerprints are sent to the FBI for a background check.

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If you want to immigrate to the United States to reunite with your family members, there are many steps to take. You will have to fill out forms, complete interviews and pay fees.

You will also likely need to complete a medical examination before your arrival in the U.S. But do you wonder about what that exam will cover and which tests the doctor will perform?

3 questions you might have about your exam

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