Green Card Renewals: When it’s Time to Get a Lawyer
The I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is a relatively straightforward immigration application compared to all the others. It is short and only asks for a few biographical details (i.e. Your name, date of birth, address, parents’ names) in addition to questions about the circumstances surrounding the issuance of your Green Card (i.e. When did you become a Lawful Permanent Resident? Did you become a resident through consular processing or adjustment of status?). However, even simple matters can become complicated when it comes to immigration. Below are some situations regarding Green Card renewals where you might consider hiring an experienced immigration lawyer:
Your green card eligibility category/code no longer exists. Due to changes in the law and reclassification of categories, your eligibility code might not show up in the drop-down menu on your online I-90 application. An attorney can advise you whether to select a different code that matches the facts of your Green Card renewals case, or whether you should simply apply the old way, in printed form.
You lost your green card. If you don’t know where your current green card is, you might want to hire a lawyer to help you provide the most information to USCIS as possible through other documents. For example, a lawyer might ask for other forms of ID or old immigration paperwork to fill in the blanks.
You have a criminal record. Although not common, the I-90 application can trigger removal proceedings for those who have prior arrests or convictions. Talk to an experienced immigration lawyer about your options before applying for renewal.
You haven’t renewed your green card in over ten (10) years. Some prior editions of green cards have no expiration date. However, an old green card can cause trouble with Customs and Border Protection when traveling. It is best to have the latest green card. An immigration lawyer can be available to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE) from immigration regarding your old green card.
You don’t know how to answer certain questions on the application. Perhaps you became a Lawful Permanent Resident when you were a child and do not know how you obtained status. Or, you forgot how and when you received your first green card because it was so long ago. Regardless of the reasons why you are unable to answer certain questions on your I-90 application, contact a lawyer. An experienced immigration attorney may be able retrieve answers for you by simply reviewing the codes on your green card and other immigration documents.
Although you always have the right to represent yourself in any legal matter, you should decide what your comfort level is with your particular legal issue and whether a lawyer might be able to relieve some of your stress and maximize your chances of success. This is particularly true with immigration cases, where things can go wrong very quickly and unexpectedly.
If you seek legal representation for your I-90 Green Card Renewal Application, contact Casanova Law today. Attorney Casanova is experienced in immigration and criminal law.
Call us today at (561) 236-5340 or email us directly at info@casanovalawpa.com.