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

Premium Processing in 2026: Is It Still Worth It?

By Josephine Franz • June 11, 2026
For many of our clients, premium processing has long felt less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Whether it's an artist with a tour date, a startup founder with investors waiting, or an executive whose H-1B extension is tied to a project deadline, the ability to get a USCIS decision in fifteen business days has been a cornerstone of business and entertainment immigration planning. But 2026 has brought meaningful changes. On March 1, 2026, USCIS implemented a new round of premium processing fee increases under the biennial inflation adjustment authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. With fees now climbing across every eligible form, employers, foreign nationals, and their counsel are asking a fair question: at these prices, is premium processing still worth it? The short answer is: often yes but no longer always. Here is what has changed, what hasn't, and how to think strategically about your filings this year. What Premium Processing Actually Buys You Premium processing is an optional, fee-based service that obligates USCIS to take action on a qualifying petition or application within a defined window. "Action" does not necessarily mean approval USCIS may issue an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny, or open an investigation. But it must do something within the guaranteed timeframe, or refund the premium fee. The current adjudication windows are: 15 business days for most Form I-129 nonimmigrant petitions (including H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, TN, and E-3) and most Form I-140 employment-based immigrant petitions 45 business days for Form I-140 petitions in the EB-1C (multinational executive/manager) and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) categories 30 business days for eligible Form I-539 change-of-status applications and Form I-765 applications for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT employment authorization When USCIS issues an RFE, the clock pauses and restarts only when the agency receives the response, a detail that surprises many petitioners and is worth planning around. The 2026 Fee Increases at a Glance The Department of Homeland Security's final rule, published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2026, raised premium processing fees by an average of roughly 5.7 percent based on inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the updated fee, or USCIS will reject the filing outright.

P1 Visa for Individual Sport Athletes

By Joseph Lennarz • June 4, 2026
Navigating the immigration landscape as a professional athlete can feel as demanding as a championship final, but understanding the P-1A visa can help you to plan ahead and successfully petition USCIS when the time comes to apply. For individual athletes like surfers, Rodeo cowboys, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, the P-1A serves as the primary gateway to competing in the United States. While it is often compared to the O-1 visa, the P-1A has a distinct threshold that is more easily accessible than the O-1; rather than proving "extraordinary ability," you must demonstrate "international recognition". This means your achievements must be renowned or leading in more than one country, showcasing a level of skill that is substantially above the ordinary. For those competing in individual sports, the spotlight is entirely on your personal accolades and standing rather than a team or league’s reputation as in the case of a team sport athlete. You must show that you are personally well-known within your sport across multiple countries, and that the U.S. events you intend to enter typically draw other internationally recognized participants. One of the most significant advantages for the solo competitor is the duration of stay, as individual athletes can often secure a P-1 visa for an initial period of up to five years, which can eventually be extended to a total of ten. This stands in stark contrast to team athletes, who are generally limited to the duration of a specific season or contract with a team. If you are looking to be proactive about your future eligibility, you should treat your career milestones as a collection of evidence for the "Two-Out-of-Seven" rule used by USCIS. To qualify, you must provide evidence satisfying at least two of the following seven criteria: Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league. Evidence of participation in an international competition with a national team. Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition. A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or the governing body of the sport detailing your international recognition. A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert. Evidence that you or your team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings. Evidence that you or your team has received a significant honor or award in the sport. Building your resume with these specific benchmarks in mind is essential. Here are some suggestions to help an individual sport athlete to meet these criteria and successfully qualify for a P-1A visa: First, you should actively seek opportunities to represent your national team or strive for high international rankings , as these are concrete proof of your standing. If you are working with an immigration attorney, make sure they have a clear understanding of your sport, how its governing body determines rankings, and the significance of your accomplishments- successfully showing USCIS why your rankings or results indicate you are performing at an elite and internationally recognized level is key to a successful outcome. Beyond the trophies, your professional network plays a crucial role ; cultivating relationships with recognized experts or sports media members who can provide written statements will significantly strengthen your future petition. Major media articles that discuss your accomplishments or explain the significance of competitions or rankings you feature in, can also have a strong positive impact on your case. As you prepare, remember that every petition also requires a formal consultation letter from an appropriate labor organization , if one exists that covers your sport. A good immigration attorney will help you to identify the appropriate labor organization and engage with them on your behalf to secure the consultation letter you need. Generally, they will want to see the same evidence that USCIS will be evaluating, and they may need some time to review your petition prior to issuing you a consultation letter. Finally, you will also need a written contract with an employer or agent within the United States, and a detailed itinerary of the events where you will perform . Your immigration attorney can also help you to structure your contract with your agent or employer, and guide you in creating an itinerary based on the events or competitions you will participate in. While every individual sport is different, USCIS will want to see that you have set up a structure that will pay you a living wage to perform your sport, and that you have planned out an itinerary of competitions or events in sufficient detail that covers the entire period of time for which you are requesting the P-1A visa. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we are experienced in helping talented individuals who are accomplished in many different sports to continue their careers here in the United States. If you are such an athlete interested in competing here, please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss your case.

Understanding the Annual Asylum Fee: What it is and Why You Must Pay

By Juliana LaMendola • May 28, 2026
If you have a pending asylum application in the United States, you will now be required to pay an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) in order to keep your application pending. Understanding this new fee and why it is important could be the difference between maintaining your pending asylum application and facing removal from the country . If your asylum application has been pending for more than one year, you will be required to pay an annual fee of $102 . The good news is that this fee is charged per asylum application, not per person. This means a family applying together on a single Form I-589 will only pay $102 total. However, it is important to know that there are no fee waivers available for this annual payment. It is crucial to take this fee seriously because the consequences for missing your payment are severe . If you receive a notification from USCIS that your fee is due, you will be given exactly 30 days to pay it. If you fail to pay by the deadline, the government may enforce the following penalties: Rejection of your Application: USCIS will reject your pending asylum application. Loss of Work Authorization: Any pending applications for employment authorization (Form I-765) based on your asylum case will be denied. Furthermore, if you already have an approved work permit, you will lose your work authorization immediately. Risk of Deportation: If you do not have an underlying legal status in the U.S., USCIS may initiate your removal (deportation) from the United States. Because of the severe consequences of failure to pay the fee within 30 days, it is vitally important to update your address with USCIS. This ensures you will actually receive the payment notice and can pay it on time without jeopardizing your case. How to Pay: Paying your fee promptly is the best way to protect your asylum status and work authorization. You can easily check if your fee is due and make your payment online by visiting: https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/annual-asylum-fee/start/overview To submit your payment, you will need two important pieces of information:  Your A-Number (Alien Registration Number). The receipt number from your asylum application receipt notice. Once you enter this information, you will see a blue “Pay and submit” button. You can pay securely using a credit card, debit card, or a transfer from a U.S. bank account. Always make sure to save a copy of your receipt to ensure you have evidence of payment. Staying informed and keeping up with the Annual Asylum Fee is an essential part of the asylum process in 2026. Watch your mail for notifications, keep your address updated, and pay your fee as soon as it is due to ensure your case stays on track.
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