Re: DACA to AOS
 

Didn't end up being true.
Removal of conditions only took 10 months -- no RFE or interviews.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Congrats.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Hey Everyone,

I just got married and plan on filing the paperwork to get my green card! Is it easy to self file? I was going to go through a paralegal that my whole family used but with the pandemic going about I have to wait, kind of want to do it on my own. Recommendations? I don't even know where to begin, I was paroled in with AP 3 years ago.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

I self-filed my AOS application a couple months ago. It's pretty straight forward if you do not have any complications (like deportation orders, arrests, etc.), it's just A LOT of paper work. It took me like 7 solid days with little to no sleep to put it together (I was trying to send it in before the new public charge rule went into effect on Feb. 24).

My advise is that you start doing it yourself and see how far you can get while this COVID-19 crisis dies down. Application processing by USCIS is likely delayed; there's no biometrics appointments while all the application support center offices are closed so there's no pressure for you to send it in promptly. Take your time with it and answer everything carefully and truthfully. If you get stuck and need help, you can research online or ask questions here.

To get you started, here is the list of applications you will need:

• Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• Form I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
• Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (this optional if you want an EAD)
• I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (this one is filled by the doctor that does your medical exam)

There's a new public charge category in the I-485 form (which is what I avoided when I sent my application in). Depending on whether you're exempt or not, you might have to also fill out a I-944 form. Make sure you read the instructions for the I-485 carefully to figure out what to do there.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

65I personally got a lawyer. I had no DACA before I worked for the first time. I can tell you my interview did not go very well. I got an RFE based on not my marriage but on questions of why I worked illegally. It was not a fun ordeal. Trump admin basically will try to deny you for any reason they can find. If they can't straight out deny you, they will try to make it hard and intimidate you. Obviously it depends also on your adjucator. Some are nice and some are total dicks, trump lovers.


Having a lawyer helps spychologically, it removes the burden of paper filing and stressing.

If you can afford it meaning you are well off financially I would recommend a lawyer.

I am one of those people who can file forms with eyes closed at this point. I filed my grandma's greencard app, and multitude of DACA renewals etc..

I just didn't want to take a chance and paid for peace of mind. Note that a lawyer won't do everything for you and you even then need to do some work, but not as much.


Also, Don't use a paralegal, USCIS makes it clear you need to hire a lawyer that is approved to do immigration work.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Thanks Akkiano, I'm not really worried about I-485 since I've never taken any Government aid. But my case is interesting because my parents also filed me under I-245 before it expired in 2001. I know allows me to stay in country while the paperwork is being processed.

The paralegal is a family friend and the lawyer reviews all documents before its sent out. I trust her very much as she helped about 2/3 of our family lol which is roughly over 25 people. I'm just impatient with waiting another month to file paperwork as I really want to get this going.

Does anyone have experience with the I-245?

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Even if you use a lawyer, you still have to gather evidence for them to put together. So you can start working on that and also fill out the forms to give to them. It will take time to organize your evidence in a meaningful way that tells your full story.

We used a lawyer for the initial AOS filing and then self filed for the ROC. I think we could have done the initial AOS without a lawyer, but like Bernoulli said, using the lawyer was more of a psychological thing -- it gave us the peace of mind that someone more experienced did the final review of our packet.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Working without work authorization is forgiven under 245i if you qualify or adjusting through a USC spouse.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

Still paralegals generally cannot practice law and they cannot represent you before USCIS. There are some exceptions where you can get accredited by BIA if you're associated with an accredited non-profit and serve as a representative. Everything else is either really gray or just outright illegal. I mean if you want her to fill out the forms go ahead, just remember that you probably won't get a proper representation.

Yeah, I've got experience with 245(i), what do you want to know exactly.

Yeah but I wouldn't be surprised if the current regime was trying to nail people on tax evasion.

Re: DACA to AOS
 

That is why a lawyer is a good plan to sit with you in the interview.