Application Support Centers (ASCs) provide a platform for collecting biometric data after an applicant submits the relevant forms. The ASCs do not accept direct application filings.   Visa applicants can submit their biometrics for immigration benefits after booking an appointment. Usually, applicants receive notification of ASC appointment through their registered mail and should always wait until they receive the notice.   How Appointments at ASCs Work As U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes your application, they may schedule an appointment at ASCs. If you r ..read more

A spousal visa or CRI spousal visa is a green card that allows someone from another country to live in the United States with their spouse. The spouse should be married to a U.S. citizen or someone with permanent residency status.   You can obtain a CR-1 visa (conditional resident) if you’ve been married for less than two years. Alternatively, you can get an immediate relative (IR visa) if you’ve been married for over two years.    The visa is granted on a conditional basis, which means the U.S. citizen and the beneficiary can apply for the removal of the conditions after two ye ..read more

You can sponsor your parents to receive green cards if you are a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. However, applying for a green card for your parents can be a complicated process with various requirements. Having the guidance of an experienced Austin immigration attorney can make all the difference in navigating through the application process.  At J. Sparks Law, PLLC, we understand the importance of family reunification and are here to provide you with the legal support and guidance you need.   Understanding the Process Applying for a green card for your parents involves seve ..read more

We live in the digital age. Technological innovations, including social media, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and augmented reality, have made life easier. Even so, the digital landscape poses risks, with many people needing to learn how to use it safely and positively.   Digital citizenship aims to teach individuals how to participate and engage in responsible ways of using technology. It also equips users with skills to protect themselves from internet dangers and respect other people’s human rights.   Digital citizenship is different from your citizenship of a country. Consi ..read more

If you’re applying for an immigrant visa or an adjustment of status, you must submit a medical assessment with the application or during the interview.    The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requests a medical exam to ensure you do not have a medical condition that makes you ‘inadmissible’ for public health reasons.   A government-authorized doctor, also called a civil surgeon, completes the immigration medical exam.    In the immigration medical exam, you can expect: Alcohol and drug screening Mental and physical evaluation A review of your ..read more

Once you’ve gained U.S. citizenship, you may want to invite your parents to spend time together. Your parents can use the B2 visa, which allows applicants to visit the U.S. to visit their family members and friends or for tourism.   The visitor’s visa, also called a tourist visa, is a non-immigrant visa classification that gives temporary access to people who wish to enter the U.S.    If your parents gain entry to the U.S. using a tourist visa, they can stay for 180 days or six months.    Consider speaking to a trusted Austin visa attorney to obtain legal support for y ..read more

Immigration issues can be complex and overwhelming, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you feel the need to report someone to the immigration authorities. However, it is essential to fully understand such a decision’s potential consequences and implications. In this blog post, we will explore what happens if you call immigration on someone and why it is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced Austin immigration lawyer.   The Complexity of Reporting Someone to Immigration Reporting someone to immigration can result in serious consequences for the person involved. I ..read more

You might be surprised to know there is a way for undocumented immigrants currently in the United States to gain legal status without leaving here. Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that if a person has a labor certification application or immigrant visa petition filed on their behalf by a certain deadline, he or she does not need to leave the U.S. to apply to get their papers. Not every undocumented immigrant with a petition already on file will meet the criteria, though. On top of that, there is a $1,000 price tag on this visa that can be prohibitive to some ..read more

The term I-130 refers to a family-based immigration visa petition. The government does not limit the number of immediate relatives, like spouses, that can enter the United States. However, that does not mean that your husband or wife’s visa application will be processed overnight.    If you are a US citizen, that does help speed up the process. For citizen petitioners, the wait can range anywhere from just over a year to four and a half years. If the petitioner is just a green card holder (not a US citizen), you can anticipate a wait of anywhere from two and a half to five and a half ..read more

If you are an immigrant permanently living with proper documentation in the United States, you have the right to bring over your immediate family members. In this article, our Austin immigration lawyers explore the nuts and bolts of family-based immigration, family-based petitions, and, specifically, who qualifies to sponsor family members living abroad.   Family-Based Immigration Basics With family-based immigration, the family member in the US is the “petitioner,” and the family member living abroad is called the “beneficiary.” Under certain immigration categories, the foreign beneficia ..read more