Family-Based Immigration Help: Esteban’s Journey

 

Esteban came to the United States from Mexico as an EWI (entry without inspection) and settled in Tennessee. He began working as an attendant in a facility for individuals with mental health challenges. His natural ability to connect with patients inspired him to pursue classes with the goal of becoming a psychiatric nurse.
During his studies, Esteban met Jillian, a kind-hearted librarian living with bipolar disorder, who was taking psychology courses to better understand her condition. Their friendship grew into romance, and eventually, marriage. A few years later, they welcomed two children.
By 2016, Esteban was close to earning his bachelor’s degree but needed an adjustment of status to advance in his career. At Jillian’s urging, he sought help from the Margaret W. Wong office in Nashville.

Building a Case

After careful review, our team decided to file an I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with Jillian as the sponsor and an I-589 (Application for Asylum) for Esteban. The asylum claim was strong: Jillian’s first husband, Chris—a wealthy and dangerous man—had fled to Mexico and sent threatening letters after learning of her marriage to Esteban. He vowed to harm them if they ever returned. Jillian kept these letters, and combined with Chris’s U.S. arrest record for violent assaults, the evidence supported their claim.

Strategic Steps

Alongside the asylum case, we planned to file an I-485 (Application for Legal Permanent Residency). However, because Esteban entered without inspection, he needed to leave the U.S. and return on advance parole. We helped him obtain a passport from the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta, a travel document, and an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) so he could accept a long-awaited promotion.

In July 2017, Esteban and Jillian traveled to the Bahamas with their children, where they reunited with Esteban’s elderly relatives. Upon return, Esteban legally re-entered the U.S., allowing us to file his green card application.

Esteban’s first asylum interview in November 2017 was uneventful—the officer noted his pending I-485 and promised to delay issuing an NTA (Notice to Appear). However, in September 2018, his USCIS interview ended with uncertainty. A month later, his green card application was denied due to an alleged misrepresentation. A 2014 traffic ticket included driving without a license, not just speeding.

Persistence Pays Off

Esteban was devastated, insisting he believed it was only a speeding violation. Our team was frustrated because USCIS denied the case outright instead of issuing a NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny), which would have allowed us to file an I-601 waiver.
We appealed, but the denial stood. Undeterred, we filed a new I-485 and I-601, including extensive documentation about Jillian’s bipolar disorder and how Esteban’s presence stabilized her life. Deportation would have worsened her condition, and relocating to Mexico would have been detrimental.

Complications arose when the I-130 petition was terminated by the NVC (National Visa Center), despite our updates. We requested reinstatement, which was granted in February 2020. By August, we submitted a comprehensive package with medical documentation and waiver requests.

COVID-19 delayed the interview until March 2021. The officer questioned Esteban about the old ticket but acknowledged his integrity and devotion to family. Learning that Esteban had completed his psychiatric nursing coursework, the officer smiled and said, “It sounds like you’ve come a long way.” Moments later, Esteban was granted legal permanent residency.

Getting family-based immigration help can be the first step toward keeping loved ones together and building a secure future in the United States. Whenever you have questions or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out; we’re always ready to assist you.