Some months ago, I wrote an article asking those who petitioned for their brothers and sisters before April 30, 2001 to visit my office for assistance. Some immigrants who read the article responded and they are now getting green cards as a result of application for adjustment of status filed by my office. Perhaps some procrastinators are still waiting to act.

Early 2010, there was a one year gain for petitions filed under the fourth category of the Visa Bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State. The priority dates of all pre-April 30, 2001 filing became current. Some of these files were assigned visa numbers. My office processed some of them. We have some pending for interview, while we have obtained green cards for some.

By December 2010, which was the peak of the good news, the priority dates of those who filed on or before January 1, 2002 were current. They were supposed to begin visa processing if residing abroad or filed application for adjustment of status for those who resided in the U.S. At the time I wrote an article encouraging everyone to begin the processing, some complained about money, while some simply refused to act.

By January 2011, the Visa Bulletin moved backward by two years. The current date which was January 1, 2002 in December 2010 is now January 1, 2000 in January 2011. It simply means that those who did not take the needed steps in the year 2010 have lost two years. They have to wait another two years before they can obtain green cards.

It is important that all immigrants know that it is wiser to borrow money and rescue yourself from the slavery of illegal immigration than just continue in your current illegal status. Please seize every opportunity whenever they are available.

The best thing to do is to consult with an immigration attorney to help you through the process. Once an immigrant number is reserved for your case, even if the priority date moves backward you will still be able to obtain a green card. Many of the immigrants in this category will need Section 245(i) of the Immigration & Nationality Act to proceed.

As you will recall, in the year 2000, President Bill Clinton gave a parting gift to all immigrants in the United States with the passage of the LIFE Act. Under the LIFE Act was the passage of Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act which allowed all immigrants who entered the United States without inspection and those who overstayed their authorized stay in the United States to apply for adjustment of status in the U.S. by paying the sum of $1000 as penalty for their immigration violation. The only caveat at that time was that the petition must be filed before the sunset date of April 30, 2001.

At that time, many immigrants who were not eligible for adjustment of status because they entered without inspection, got married to citizens of the United States and were able to adjust their status by paying the sum of $1000 as penalty. Those who were not able to get married to U.S. citizens persuaded their brothers and sisters who were U.S. citizens to petition for them. At the time the petitions were filed, the waiting period for adjustment of status for category four of the family-based petition was 10years. These immigrants have been waiting since that time.

Now, let me advise you, if your brother or sister filed an I-130 petition for alien relative for you before April 30, 2001 and you have lived in the United States continuously before December 21, 2000, there is a green card waiting for you and my office can help you acquire it.

 You will need to bring your approval notice to my office immediately to begin the process that will lead to your permanent resident status in the United States.

Anyone with an approved petition filed by a sibling must act now. It is important for all immigrants in the U.S. with such approved petition applying under Section 245(i) of the Immigration & Nationality Act to know that you will be required to pay a penalty of $1000. It will cost you close to $5000 in filing and legal expenses to obtain your green card through this process.

Likewise, if you are a U.S. citizen and you petitioned for your brother or sister who resides abroad in the year 2001, you will need to see me immediately. Your case is due for National Visa Center and Consular processing. Most of these processing are done electronically now, therefore, you will need the services of a qualified immigration attorney to assist you. Please contact the Law Office of Attorney Famuyide at 718-647-6767 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to begin the process.

This article is for your information only. It cannot be substituted for legal advice or legal representation by a qualified immigration attorney. If you need legal assistance, please feel free to contact Attorney Famuyide immediately.

USI News.

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