McKinney Immigration Attorney

Trusted Immigration Lawyer Representing Clients in McKinney, TX

Immigration law can be intimidating, especially if you are just starting out with no clear idea of how to proceed. The steps to obtaining a visa or Green Card can be complicated, and even the slightest mistakes can have real consequences for immigrants. If you need legal help, do not hesitate to contact a McKinney, Texas immigration lawyer today.

At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we work one-on-one with clients to help them through the immigration process. As a child of immigrants himself, he understands the struggles that people face when dealing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We can help clients with concerns about Green Cards, citizenship, and related issues.

What Is an Adjustment of Status?

An adjustment of status is the process that allows an immigrant who is already in the United States to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. The application is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Form I-485. For many families in McKinney, this path means they can stay together, keep working, and avoid the expense and stress of international travel while the case moves forward.

Eligibility for adjustment of status usually depends on how the person entered the country. In many cases, the applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled by an immigration officer. The applicant also needs a basis for the Green Card, such as an approved family or employment petition, and a visa number must be available in their category.

Some applicants can file for a work authorization. The process typically includes a biometrics appointment and may include an interview with a USCIS officer. Leaving the country without advance permission while the case is pending can cause the application to be treated as abandoned.

Helping Immigrants Outside of the Country With Consular Processing

Consular processing is the path to a Green Card for immigrants who live outside the United States. Instead of filing with USCIS, the applicant completes the final steps through the U.S. Department of State and a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The process usually begins after USCIS approves a petition, such as a Form I-130 filed by a family member. The case then moves to the National Visa Center, which collects fees, civil documents, and the Affidavit of Support.

Once the file is complete, the applicant is scheduled for a medical exam with an approved doctor and an interview at the consulate. A consular officer reviews the documents, asks questions about the relationship or job offer, and decides whether to issue an immigrant visa. Missing paperwork or inconsistent answers can lead to delays or a refusal.

After the visa is approved, the immigrant travels to the U.S. and receives the Green Card by mail after entry. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we help families in McKinney prepare relatives overseas for each stage, from gathering documents to practicing for the interview.

Are You Eligible for a Family-Based Green Card?

Eligibility for a family-based Green Card depends on the relationship between the immigrant and the U.S. citizen or permanent resident who files the petition. Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult U.S. citizens fall into the immediate relative category. These applicants face no annual cap, so their cases can often move faster.

Other family members fall into preference categories with yearly limits. Wait times in these categories can stretch for years, depending on the relationship and the applicant's home country.

Meet With Our McKinney, Texas Immigration Attorney

Bringing a loved one to the United States or securing your own Green Card takes careful planning and complete paperwork. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we work with McKinney families on petitions, consular cases, and adjustment applications. Call 214-799-5062 or contact our McKinney, TX immigration lawyer to schedule a free consultation.