Form I-485

DUI and I-485 approval

Question details

I'm currently on H1-B visa. I applied for I-485 in October 2020 and I got my EAD/AP card approved. I'm in EB2 category with priority date of March 2011.

I was convicted for DUI in November 2011 and consulted Rajeev Khanna Sir in 2012 through 15 minutes telephone consultation. As Rajeev sir advised, I got the certified copy of court disposition and a letter from criminal lawyer explaining that this is a misdemeanor -- quoting the statute.

So with the first time DUI arrest (in 2011 been 10 years) , I have 2 questions:
1) I would like to know if first time DUI affects my chances of getting I-485 approval?
2) I'm planning to convert from my H1-B status and start using EAD, will it be wise to do that considering the DUI arrest.
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

Answer 1. No, if it's a misdemeanor and the sentence imposed is less than six months normally first time you don't get a sentence at all. You should not have any problem.

Answer 2. I think having an H-1B is a very good idea.

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Policy Memorandum on Adjudication of Adjustment of Status Applications for Individuals Admitted to the United States Under the Visa Waiver Program

This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance on the adjudication of Form I-485, Application to Register or Adjust Status, filed by immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who were last admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This PM updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by adding a new section (j) to Chapter 10.3 and 23.5 (AFM Update AD11-30).

For more details on the memorandum please click the attachment

Extension of Validity of Medical Certifications on Form I-693

This policy memorandum (PM) temporarily extends the validity of civil surgeon endorsements on Form I-693 for adjustment of status and temporary residence applicants.This PM updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by revising Chapter 40.1(c), (AFM Update AD 13-13). The guidance contained in this PM is controlling and supersedes any prior guidance on the subject.

Click the attachment to read more about the memorandum.

Ability to Pay

Question details

1. Is submitting consolidated returns and audited financial statements for a parent company and its wholly owned subsidiaries sufficient to meet the burden of proof for establishing the company’s ability to pay by a preponderance of the evidence?

2. Where an employee who is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 and is eligible for AC-21 portability ports to a new employer in the same or similar occupation, must the new employer demonstrate the ability to pay the proffered wage from the date of portability?

3. When adjudicating I-485 applications for portability-eligible individuals where the petitioning employer is no longer in business, does USCIS require the subsequent employer to satisfy both the ability-to-pay requirement and the bona fide offer of employment requirement from the date of the employee’s subsequent hire through the approval of adjustment of status?

4. Why are prorated net assets not sufficient evidence to support ability to pay?

5. Why is the Yates Memo not applied if a beneficiary’s W-2 indicates that the actual wage paid to him/her is at least as much as the beneficiary’s proffered wage for the prorated period?

1. USCIS says that it evaluates each consolidated financial statement on a caseby-case basis under the preponderance of evidence standard to determine whether the petitioner has the ability to pay the proffered wage.

2. USCIS says that, in this situation, the new employer is not obligated to demonstrate the ability to pay from the date of portability.

Locating A Long-Pending I-485 Application and Priority Dates

Question details

1.How can I locate a long-pending I-485 application that has been transferred multiple times and appears to be “lost”?

2.When the priority date is going to become current for an individual with a long-pending I-485 application, is it advisable to send an advance email to USCIS?

1. According to USCIS, if you have an old I-485 that has been transferred multiple time and you do not know where the case is, you should call USCIS.  It is advisable to follow up in case no useful answer is forthcoming.  USCIS aims to keep close control over its case inventory and tracks cases to make sure all the parts stay together and get adjudicated together.

It is also important for the attorney of record (using Form G-28) and the applicant (using Form AR-11) to keep USCIS apprised of any changes of address.

USCIS Publishes Policy Memo on Acceptance of Diversity Visa-Related I-485 Applications During the Advanced Notification Period Reflected in the Visa Bulletin

  • USCIS policy memo indicating that the listing of the advance notification of Diversity Visa (DV) availability in the Visa Bulletin enables the filing of DV adjustment applications with DV numbers ranked below the specified cut-off number, even though a visa is not yet available.
  • Pleae check the attached Policy memo.