Customized Adjustment of Status (AOS) Processing

Dear Client:

Thank you for contacting me concerning your desire to retain my legal immigration services to assist you in adjusting status for you or your loved one.  I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the AOS process with you before you make this most important decision concerning who to hire to assist you in obtaining a green card.

Special Personalized AOS Processing

Much of immigration application preparation is document intensive and involves the exchange of information between the client and attorney.  After years of experience we have developed a system that optimizes our legal expertise and provides our clients with an unmatched personalized experience, customized to their needs.  We want to be on a first name basis with our clients and be available to answer client questions throughout the process.  We have handled and overseen all legal aspects of the AOS process for many clients and are proficient at fast, accurate communication between us and our clients. We can eliminate approximately 98% of delays because AOS processing is what we do best.

Immigration law is highly complex and constantly changing, and the key to smooth AOS processing involves constant monitoring of the daily changes in immigration law.  We subscribe to immigration services that send us daily emails concerning the ever changing requirements by the USCIS.  We are also monitoring international political events that impact the shifting of USCIS staff away from AOS processing so that we can accurately predict delays.

The AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process

The AOS process is made up of ten phases:

Step 1: Gather Documents & Provide to Attorney

Step 2: Attorney Prepares AOS Applications for Client Review & Signature

Step 3: Attorney Packages & Submits AOS Applications to USCIS; Attorney is Registered as Official “Attorney of Record” and is Allowed to Intervene on Behalf of Client

Step 4: Attorney & Client Receive USCIS Receipts Acknowledging Successful Submission + New Legal Status (“Adjustee Pending”)

Step 5: Attorney + Client Receives Biometrics Appointment Letter

Step 6: Attorney + Client Receive Temporary Work/Travel Permits

Step 7: Attorney + Client Receive USCIS AOS (Green Card) Interview Notice

Step 8: Attorney Conducts Telephonic Practice Green Card AOS Interview

Step 9: USCIS Conducts Actual Green Card AOS Interview

Step 10: Client Receives 2 Year “Conditional” Green Card in Mail

The green card interview (also known as “lawful permanent residence” and “adjustment of status” interview) usually takes place 5-12 months after the adjustment of status applications are submitted - it depends where you live in the U.S.  At the conclusion of the 10 minute green card interview (which is held at the USCIS District Office closest to your residence) if all of your paperwork is in order and you have answered the questions correctly, the USCIS officer has the power to grant green card status immediately.

Why AOS Processing is Often Delayed

The majority of AOS cases are delayed due to the lack of accurate information available to the average U.S. citizen.  The USCIS website is unorganized, out of date, and difficult to navigate.  The USCIS staff who answer the customer service phones are not trained beyond reading the answers off the USCIS website.  Information shared by applicants on blog sites is often contradictory and erroneous.  

Unrepresented applicants have informed us that they were unable to get the USCIS to update their address when they moved, and the USCIS interview notices were sent back to the USCIS undeliverable.  As a result, their cases were considered abandoned and closed.  In other instances, applicants were unaware of changes in USCIS regulations and sent incomplete AOS applications to the USCIS – which were either rejected outright, or delayed for two to six months sitting in the USCIS mailroom.

We are officially at war with Iraq and possibly entering other conflicts in the Middle East.  Every time the U.S. government shifts its military around and makes national security decisions, USCIS staff are also shifted to accommodate national security needs, slowing down AOS processing.  Moreover, since 9-11, the USCIS has made changes to its background check procedures.  For example, applicants are required to provide a computer scan of all 10 fingerprints (even though K-1/K-3 visa holders have already done so at the U.S. Consulate) so that the prints can be sent via computer to the FBI, Interpol, etc.  If the computerized prints are lost or unreadable, the entire AOS process can come to a stop.

Finally, the USCIS provides unclear direction concerning what documents to bring to the AOS interview.  If only one document is missing at the interview, the process can be delayed for 2-6 months.

Expectations of Attorney

We charge a flat legal fee to provide personalized AOS processing legal services.  We only take a limited number of cases, and often have a waiting list.  I personally oversee each case, and feel it is important for clients to have access to their attorney.  After preparing the adjustment of status package for the USCIS, we will make a complete copy of the applications and supporting documents for our files, and another copy for your files. 

We utilize overnight mail and do not charge extra for express mail, long distance phone calls or copies. We track your case while the USCIS is processing it to make sure the work and travel permits are issued and to answer all of your questions.  Also, while we are waiting for the green card interview to be scheduled, I’d like to know if you move, so that I can properly inform the USCIS.  I want to let you know what to collect for the green card interview so that you have plenty of time to prepare.  I want to conduct an extensive practice green card interview so that you pass the interview on the first try.  I don't officially close your case until your green card interview is scheduled and the green card is granted.

Hopefully this information clarifies the issues surrounding the AOS process.  If you are the type of person who selects a service based on its merits we are for you.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask (either via telephone or email) and I would be happy to make sure any and all issues are clarified. 

Sincerely,

Danielle Homant
Immigration Attorney