Understanding the updated Form I-485 and its revised "Public Charge" questions. If you or a loved one are in the process of applying for a Green Card, there's an important update you need to know about. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — the primary form used to apply for lawful permanent resident status from within the United States. The new edition is dated

If you hold advance parole and are weighing a trip abroad, stop and read this first. On August 13, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a decision that reverses more than a decade of settled guidance on what happens when green card applicants travel on advance parole. The change could expose some travelers to bars of three or ten years if they leave the country without understanding the new risk. The Case: Matter of Delcarmen-Lara In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara,

Two weeks ago, we published a detailed breakdown of Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, the USCIS guidance that generated alarming headlines about green cards and consular processing. Our message then was clear: read the memo, not the headlines. Since that post, USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have spoken again — more than once. What they said confirms our original analysis while leaving some important questions open for Adjustment of Status (AOS) applicants. H

On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, prompting alarming headlines across the country about green cards and consular processing. The reality, when you read the actual memo, is much more nuanced—and far more reassuring—than those headlines suggest. Here is what you need to know about the recent updates to the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process and how Gaertner Torres PLLC is navigating these changes. Key Highlights of PM-602-0199 The memo does not change

Obtaining permanent residency in the U.S. can come with an important condition for those who recently got married: a green card valid for...

Prepare for your marriage green card interview.