Adjustment of Status Attorneys in Philadelphia, PA

 At Henry & Grogan, we handle adjustment of status cases for individuals and families throughout Philadelphia and across the country, and we bring decades of experience to every filing. Request a free consultation to learn more about the process, what lies ahead, and how our renowned attorneys can help you. Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to quality immigration representation, which is why we keep our rates affordable without cutting corners on the work.

Ready to take the next step toward a green card? Call (215) 568-1500 to schedule your free consultation.

What Is an Adjustment of Status?

Adjustment of status is the legal process that allows a foreign national already inside the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent residency through USCIS rather than returning home for consular processing abroad. Instead of leaving the country, attending a visa interview at a U.S. consulate, and waiting abroad for approval, eligible applicants can remain in the U.S. throughout the process.

The primary filing is Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 

Depending on the case, this is accompanied by an underlying petition:

• Form I-130 for family-based cases
• Form I-140 for employment-based cases

In addition to the above, biometrics and, for most applicants in the Philadelphia area, an interview at the USCIS Philadelphia Field Office are required. 

While the I-485 is pending, applicants can concurrently file Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document and Form I-131 for Advance Parole, a travel document that helps protect the ability to re-enter the U.S. if travel becomes necessary.

Adjustment of status is most commonly pursued through family-based petitions (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents), employment-based petitions, and refugee or asylee status. 

In some cases, additional filings, such as a response to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a waiver of inadmissibility, may be required before a case can move forward. Those who live abroad or are ineligible to adjust their statuses from inside the U.S. may instead pursue permanent residency through consular processing. We can handle both paths.

It’s a Complex Process. Don’t Go It Alone. 

You must do more than check one box to be eligible to adjust your status. You need to meet a combination of conditions at the time of filing and maintain them throughout the entire process. 

An applicant for adjustment of status must meet several criteria, including:

• Current documentation of temporary legal status within the United States
• Approval of all prerequisite petitions
• Availability of the desired class of immigrant-track visa
• No pending removal proceedings
• No history of unauthorized employment or criminal activity

It's important to note that applicants who entered without inspection generally can’t adjust status from inside the U.S., though narrow exceptions exist, including a provision under VAWA that protects family members who have suffered battery or extreme cruelty. 

Applicants with prior removal orders, prior overstays, or certain criminal history may face additional bars, some of which can be addressed through a waiver of inadmissibility.

What Henry & Grogan Brings to Adjustment of Status Cases

Filing the I-485 is the straightforward part. What most people want to know is what happens if something goes wrong, and whether their attorney is equipped to handle it.

• If USCIS sends an RFE, we can respond with documentation built to address the specific concern, not a generic reply.
• If your interview is scheduled, you won't walk in alone or unprepared. Devin E. Grogan has attended hundreds of USCIS interviews on behalf of clients. That experience means she understands how local officers approach cases, what they look for in the room, and how to prepare you for the questions your specific file is likely to raise.
• If your case stalls, we don't just wait. When processing delays cross the line into unreasonable, we can take action in federal court to compel USCIS to act. Most firms don't pursue that remedy. We do.
• If your application is denied, the case doesn't end there. We can argue on your behalf before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. We can also obtain emergency injunctions in federal court to stop deportations, should you or someone you love face this threat.

For most clients, none of this becomes necessary. The application moves forward, the interview goes well, and the green card arrives. But the reason to think carefully about who files your I-485 is that you don't know in advance whether your case will be routine. We represent clients before USCIS offices and immigration courts nationwide, and we're prepared for whatever the process brings.

Start With a Free Consultation

Whether you’re ready to file or still trying to determine whether you qualify, we can give you a clear assessment of where you stand and what your next steps should be. You don’t have to figure this out alone, and getting started costs nothing.

Call (215) 568-1500 or submit our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with our adjustment of status lawyers in Philadelphia.

Not sure where to start? Your first conversation with us costs nothing.

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