Increased Immigration Enforcement: Should Immigrants With Pending Green Card Applications Be Worried?
Immigration policies and their enforcement usually become major issues in the news, especially during certain periods of political focus. When the policies of enforcing immigration become more aggressive, immigrants who have already applied for their green cards start to worry whether their application might put them in danger. Some immigrants worry that applying for permanent residency might attract unwanted attention from the authorities or have unexpected side effects.
Although it’s understandable to worry about your immigration status, it should be noted that the majority of immigrants who have applied for green cards are doing so in a legal manner. Knowing how the process works will hopefully alleviate some of the fear you may be feeling right now.
Applying for a green card is a legal process
A green card application, technically called an adjustment of status, enables some individuals already in the US to seek legal permanent residence. Many people seek this option as sponsored by family, for work, or for humanitarian reasons.
Applying for an adjustment of status is a legal and normal process. In fact, it is expected by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an applicant to provide detailed information about themselves, their immigration history, and their eligibility for legal residence.
Since it is a standard procedure, an application for an adjustment of status does not imply that an individual is doing something wrong. It only requires that an individual follow the legal procedure for seeking legal residence.
Background checks and security reviews
All green card applicants must undertake security screenings as part of their process. These screenings assist immigration authorities in confirming the identity of the applicant and any potential problems they might have. Most often, this is just a process for those whose eligibility is confirmed, and their process continues. However, those who have had immigration problems in the past might find this process is difficult. This is one of the many reasons why immigration applicants must understand their immigration history. Making mistakes on immigration forms could cause problems, especially during a time when immigration is being strictly enforced.
Policy changes and pending applications
Sometimes, changes in immigration policies cause confusion for those who are awaiting the processing of their applications. However, changes in immigration policies do not cancel the pending green card applications.
Most of the immigration benefits are covered by the federal law and regulations. Although the priorities for enforcement change, immigration officials have to process the applications according to the legal regulations. Each application is processed individually, and if an application meets the legal requirements, it will be processed.
On the other hand, changes in the priorities of enforcement might result in stricter scrutiny of the applications, and it is therefore important for the applicants to provide accurate information.
Talk to a Miami, FL, Immigration Attorney Today
The Law Office of Wilfredo O. Allen, Esq. represents the interests of immigrants looking to change their status or apply for a green card. Call our Miami immigration lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.