My Green Card Journey

Natalia Hynes • July 10, 2021

Green Card based on Marriage 👰

      Under the current American Immigration System, there are three major paths to becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident, popularly known as a "Green Card Holder." One is: Family Ties. This means that a qualifying family member, such as a spouse, parent or child, sponsors your application. A second path is: Employment Ties. Meaning that your employer sponsors your application. And third is: Humanitarian Reasons. This is the least common of the three paths, and involves getting residence through a humanitarian immigration program, such as asylum or refugee status. This article explores the first path, obtaining a green card based through marriage, and is the story of my personal experience, getting my green card through marriage to my husband. 

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       Several years ago, I came to the United States on a student visa (F-1/I-20.) Along the way, I fell in love ❤ and married 💑 an extraordinary American gentleman. I always tell him, “Your species- gentlemen- are slowly becoming extinct.” Yes, honestly, a gentleman in all the sense of the word is so difficult to find nowadays. I was tremendously lucky.  After our marriage, we decided to stay and make our life here in the United States, so we consulted an immigration expert to find a way to obtain my “Green Card.” 


         Once my case was reviewed and analyzed, I was told that I was eligible to “adjust my status through my marriage.” Some of you might ask 🤔, “what does this mean, Adjustment of Status?”. For me too, this was the first time that I had heard that phrase. I looked it up in the Cambridge Dictionary and found, “Adjustment of Status is the process that you can use to apply for lawful permanent resident status when you are present in the United States.”  I soon learned about each step of the “Adjustment of Status” process, such as the preparation of forms, collection of documents, biometrics appointments, work permit, social security card, and the big one, the interview.


      After each part of the process was broken down, it was much easier for me to understand the whole immigration process. What follows is my own experience during each step of my immigration journey, if you are eligible for and considering this process, I hope that reading about my experience and breaking down each step helps you.   

1. Forms and Documents. 

Be prepared to answer millions of questions 😩, sometimes very personal questions; I had never answered so many questions in my life. Not even when I applied for a student visa at the American Embassy in Lima! My responses were used to complete more than five official forms which my attorney submitted to USCIS. The forms were packaged with some essential documents from my husband, myself and our attorney. The overall package was then filed with USCIS. A short while later, USCIS sent over “Receipt Notices’’ confirming that they had received my case and that it was in process.


One piece of advice 👍 If an immigration expert asks you a question or requests a document, please provide the information or document. There is always (let me emphasize, always) a legal reason behind his or her request. 

2. Biometrics Appointment. 

Months after receiving the Receipt Notices, I received notice of the biometrics appointment (this is where USCIS takes your fingerprints). As I was entering into the Application Support Center (ASC), my heart was beating so fast. This was my first contact with USCIS. After my fingerprints were taken, the officer sealed and signed the notice as evidence that I had attended the appointment.

3. Work Permit and Social Security Number. 

During the Lawful Permanent Resident process, some applicants have the option to apply for a work permit and social security number at the time they send in their adjustment application. I did not apply for this permit because I was a full-time student. Usually, the work permit arrives simultaneously with the Social Security Card. In my case, obviously, it did not. My attorney applied for my Social Security card after I had already obtained my green card (which is another option).

4. Preparation Meeting for the Interview. 

Finally, after months of waiting, I received notice that my case had been scheduled for an interview! Yay! 🤗 


    When I saw the interview notice, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was thrilled to tears; on the other hand, my nerves were up to the sky.  Take it from me, the preparation you do with your attorney for the interview is vital to a successful case. The preparation is like drinking water in the middle of the Sahara Desert on a summer day. Do you get the idea? An expert will guide you meticulously on what would happen on the day of the interview and the multiple scenarios that can be presented; oh yes, there can be thousands of scenarios that only an immigration lawyer will know how to handle in your favor.


Additionally, keep in mind: the advice of an immigration expert has much more value than your friend’s comment on the subject (whether they have personally also been through the process or not). From a friend’s unique experience, you cannot – and should not- formulate a general rule. The immigration process is different for everyone. 

5. Interview. 

The night before the interview, to relax my nerves, I saw two films , "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and "Green Card" with Andie MacDowell. 

Both movies were very appropriate to be watching the night before my immigration interview and both are love stories, full of hope and promise; exactly the kind of mindset I wanted to be in before the big day ahead of me. Once I watched those films, I felt like I was ready. 


     From the moment my husband and I were called to be interviewed, I felt like I was under the officer's magnifying glass 😳 . I would say that the interview took 5 hours; however, my husband would immediately correct me (like any other husband in the world) and would remind me that the interview only lasted 30 minutes. The officer went over the forms and asked some specific questions about our home; then, he stood from his chair and, extending his hand, and said to me smiling, "Mrs. Hynes, welcome to the United States of America.” 😍 It was one of the happiest days of my life. Weeks after the interview, I received the famous “Green Card" via mail.  

         Some love stories, like mine, have happy endings, just like the movies - “The Proposal ” and “Green Card ”. If you have any questions or concerns about the Green Card based on marriage, please schedule a free intake with me. We look forward to helping you with your immigration case and hope that you too will find your happy ending! 👩


This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.


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Natalia Hynes

Navigating the Surge in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Terminations and Litigation: What You Need to Know

By Juliana LaMendola • February 19, 2026
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.

USCIS Changes H-1B Lottery to Wage-Based Selection

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • January 15, 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major change to the H-1B cap selection process. Under a final rule issued on December 29, 2025, USCIS will replace the long-standing random H-1B lottery with a wage-weighted selection system that favors higher-paid and more complex positions. The rule is scheduled to take effect on February 27, 2026 , just ahead of the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap registration season, unless delayed by legal challenges. If implemented, USCIS is expected to release additional guidance explaining how employers must submit registrations under the revised process. This change marks one of the most significant reforms to the H-1B program in recent years. Up until 2025, all registrations were treated equally once the annual cap was reached. Under the new system, selection odds will be tied to wage levels based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. All H-1B registrations will still be placed into a single selection pool, but registrations tied to higher wage levels will receive multiple entries into that pool, increasing their likelihood of selection. Lower wage levels will receive fewer entries, making selection less likely but not impossible. H-1B wage levels are not determined solely by salary. Each wage level reflects the complexity of the job, the level of responsibility involved, and the education and experience required . Entry-level positions involving routine duties and close supervision are generally classified at the lowest wage level, while positions requiring independent judgment, advanced skills, and significant responsibility fall into higher wage levels. The highest wage level is reserved for roles that involve expert knowledge, strategic decision-making, and substantial leadership or technical authority. USCIS is expected to closely scrutinize selected petitions to ensure that the wage level claimed during registration is supported by the job duties and salary offered in the petition. Any discrepancies between the registration and the petition may result in requests for evidence, denials, or enforcement action. With the elimination of the purely random lottery, employers should begin preparing early by carefully evaluating job descriptions, wage levels, and overall H-1B strategy. Accurate classification and thoughtful planning will be essential under this new wage-based selection system. If you are an employer considering H-1B sponsorship, or a foreign professional wondering whether your position may qualify under the new wage-based system, consulting with experienced immigration counsel is more important than ever. Santos Lloyd Law is actively advising clients on H-1B cap registrations and strategy under the new rules. To discuss your options or determine whether you may qualify, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Increase in issuance of EB-1A RFEs

By April Perez • January 9, 2026
During the recent administration there has been an increase in issuance of Requests for Evidence for EB-1A petitions for those of Extraordinary Ability. A Request for Evidence is a request that is made by USCIS that should explain how the evidence is deficient in proving the criteria argued and what additional evidence needs to be provided by the applicant to meet the criteria. EB-1A petitions are already normally subject to higher scrutiny because their approval is the first step needed to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence or a green card. USCIS normally requires not just evidence but that the evidence be provided with context and information to show why it matters in a particular field. For example, if you were providing evidence of your membership in an organization that requires outstanding achievements of its members, just providing evidence of the membership is not enough. You must explain what that membership is and provide background information on the organization granting the membership. You also need to provide evidence on the criteria that is used to select the members, information on those who select the members to show that they are recognized experts, other documentation such as articles about the membership organization to show its importance, and any other relevant evidence and background information to show that the criteria is met. A request for evidence being issued prior to the current administration was not uncommon, but in the current climate it is more surprising to not receive a request for evidence for this type of case. It is important to remember that a request for evidence is not a denial. Depending on the validity of the information in the request and the substance some Requests for Evidence can be overcome, and the case be approved. It is important to carefully review the request and note if there are any errors in the content and application of the regulations by USCIS. If you have an attorney, you should work with them and make sure that you provide any evidence you think may be helpful. Although there is a deadline by which a response must be submitted, attention to detail and patience will go a long way when dealing with having to respond to a request for evidence.  If you believe you may qualify for this type of visa, please feel free to contact our office.
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