CASE: Marriage-Based Green Card
CLIENT: Cameroonian
LOCATION: Cleveland, OH
Our client came to the United States from Cameroon and he is currently pursuing his degree in Cleveland, Ohio on an F-1 student visa. He married his current wife, who is a green card holder, in September 2012. After marriage, his wife filed an I-130 petition on behalf of our client in November 2012. Due to family and school issues, his wife had to move to Maryland with her mother. The beneficiary had to stay in Cleveland to maintain his F-1 status. This I-130 petition was approved in October 2013.
Our client retained our office on October 16, 2013 for his I-485 adjustment of status application. We could file the I-485 application because the priority date for F2A category was current at the time of filing. They were living separately at that time, but based on their bona fide evidence, we thought we can still prove an ongoing relationship. Our office prepared and filed an I-485 adjustment of status application, but we also included an affidavit from both of them to explain why they had to live separately (work, school, family etc.). We filed the application together with all necessary supporting documents on November 20, 2013. Everything went smoothly and the receipt notices, fingerprint appointment, and work permits all came on time. Despite them living apart, due to the bona fide evidence submitted as well as the affidavit, there were no Requests for Evidence.
Prior to the interview, we thoroughly prepared our clients at our office. On January 28, 2014, our client was interviewed at the Cleveland, Ohio USCIS office. Our attorney accompanied them at their interview as well. The interview went well, and the priority date for our client was current at the time of the interview. Despite potential issues that our clients were worried about prior to retaining our firm, the green card application was approved on the same day.