Please help with my I-130 case

[suite_pea39]

Hello,

On May 11, 2015 my husband filed an I-130 for me. I have been living in the US since I was 18 months old but my parents and I have had really bad luck with lawyers and never received our green card. I am technically an illegal alien. We had our marriage interview in September 2015 and in June 2015 I had an immigration officer visit me in my home and she verified my husband and I were indeed married. One week later we received our approval notice.

My question is, my lawyer is charging me $6000 (not including the $1070 filing fee for the I-485). He says we need to go to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and ask if we can reopen the case. We need to prepare a JMTR request (not sure what this is) and have a joint motion to the CIA in order for me to file my adjustment of status I-485.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Are these steps necessary for the I-485? I just want to make sure we are doing all of the right steps and nothing extra and I'm not being scammed here. I have my DACA, Work Permit, and SSN. Thank you.

[iuy87]

Hello,

On May 11, 2015 my husband filed an I-130 for me. I have been living in the US since I was 18 months old but my parents and I have had really bad luck with lawyers and never received our green card. I am technically an illegal alien. We had our marriage interview in September 2015 and in June 2015 I had an immigration officer visit me in my home and she verified my husband and I were indeed married. One week later we received our approval notice.

My question is, my lawyer is charging me $6000 (not including the $1070 filing fee for the I-485). He says we need to go to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and ask if we can reopen the case. We need to prepare a JMTR request (not sure what this is) and have a joint motion to the CIA in order for me to file my adjustment of status I-485.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Are these steps necessary for the I-485? I just want to make sure we are doing all of the right steps and nothing extra and I'm not being scammed here. I have my DACA, Work Permit, and SSN. Thank you.

if the case is approved why would u have to see a immigration judge? reopen what case? why didn't u submit the i485 with i130? these lawyers are legal scammers. i don't understand why the lawyer need to JMTR, were u in deportation list? did u enter the us legally?

[suite_pea39]

if the case is approved why would u have to see a immigration judge? reopen what case? why didn't u submit the i485 with i130? these lawyers are legal scammers. i don't understand why the lawyer need to JMTR, were u in deportation list? did u enter the us legally?

I was in the process of deportation but I have the DACA now. I did not enter the USA legally. I was only a baby at the time.

[rayb]

Suite_Pea,

I would echo Iuy87's post, but would add a post script that if the lawyer is "on to something," he would have been better advised to have you submit the I-485 without any interaction with other government agencies.

I can accept the possibility that the attorney knows something about your status that you were unable to share with us, i.e., prior adverse adjudication, etc., but an approved I-130 is probably as good an indication that you need to proceed with Adjustment of Staus submittal.

--Ray B

if the case is approved why would u have to see a immigration judge? reopen what case? why didn't u submit the i485 with i130? these lawyers are legal scammers. i don't understand why the lawyer need to JMTR, were u in deportation list? did u enter the us legally?

[LawOfficePH]

If you were in removal proceedings but they were stopped due to daca, the reopening may be due to facts that were pled at the time of the removal. Probably entry without inspection. If these were admitted at a master calendar hearing before an immigration judge, then there is almost no-way your I-485 will be approved. Marriage will cure a lot of defects, but not illegal entry. Your attorney would be screwing up if they DIDNT do something. The process will probably involve getting a provisional waiver approved that will excuse your illegal entry, thereby making you eligible to be granted your I-485. Easy Peazy.

Some attorneys, especially immigration attorneys, are in fact scammers. Most are not.

Hope everything goes well