Opinion ID: 203825
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Immediate Relative and Adjustment of Status Process

Text: The INA allows certain relatives of United States citizens to obtain lawful permanent resident (LPR) status based on a family relationship. See 8 U.S.C. § 1151(a)(1). A United States citizen may petition for an alien spouse or any other immediate relative as defined by the statute. This two-step process requires the citizen spouse to first file an I-130 petition with the USCIS on behalf of his alien relative. [1] 8 U.S.C. § 1154(a)(1)(A)(i); 8 C.F.R. §§ 204.1(a)(1), 204.2(a). If the I-130 petition is approved, the alien relative is classified within a specific immigrant visa class. The alien relative, if in the United States, may then seek adjustment of status to that of a LPR by filing an I-485 application. See 8 U.S.C. § 1255 (relating to adjustment of status); 8 C.F.R. § 245.1(a). The I-130 petition requesting the immediate relative status of an alien spouse may be filed together with the I-485 application for adjustment of status because approval of the I-130 petition would make a visa immediately available to the alien spouse upon filing the I-485 application. See 8 C.F.R. § 245.1(f). [2] USCIS must conduct an investigation when adjudicating the I-130 petition to determine that the facts stated in the petition are true and that the alien in behalf of whom the petition is made is an immediate relative specified in section 1151(b). 8 U.S.C. § 1154(b). If the facts in the petition are true and the applicant is an immediate relative, USCIS shall approve the petition. Id.