Sponsoring Parents for Green Cards: Martin’s Success Story
Please note: The Client’s name and case key details may have been altered to preserve the identity of the client. This Success Story is not intended to be an offer of service or case plan. Every case is unique. The Success Story is presented for information purposes only.
In May 2018, Elizabeth became a U.S. citizen through her marriage to Greg, who was born and raised here. This milestone was life-changing because it opened the door to sponsoring parents for green cards. Elizabeth could now help her father, Martin, obtain legal permanent residency. In turn, Martin could later assist his younger daughter, Gabriela, who had just turned twenty-two and was protected by DACA.
The Family’s Immigration Journey
Martin, a widower, brought his daughters from Mexico in 2010 on B-2 visas to escape dangerous gangs. A year later, he applied for asylum, but the petition was never properly filed. In 2017, fearing President Trump’s policies, Martin sought help from the [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″]. Wong team in Cleveland. We re-filed the asylum petition after finding several errors in the original. However, we cautioned Martin that approval was unlikely because he lacked strong evidence of direct threats.
Furthermore, Martin trusted Ms. Wong because she was honest and straightforward. She had already helped Gabriela secure DACA and assisted Elizabeth in obtaining her marriage-based green card and citizenship.
Starting the Sponsorship Process
Moreover, Elizabeth’s citizenship opened new possibilities. In October 2017, we filed a package for Martin that included an I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and an I-485 (Application for Permanent Residency). Martin followed Ms. Wong’s advice and gathered letters and affidavits from family and friends about conditions in Mexico to strengthen his case. This step was crucial for Sponsoring parents for green cards successfully.
Challenges and Support
Martin managed several low-income properties but earned little. Fortunately, Greg, Elizabeth’s husband and a successful realtor, agreed to sponsor Martin on the I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Gabriela, meanwhile, focused on finishing college but worried about efforts to end DACA.
A Positive Outcome
In October 2020, a member of our team accompanied Martin, Elizabeth, and Greg to the USCIS interview in Pittsburgh. The meeting went well. We substantiated Martin’s asylum claims and proved he had paid U.S. taxes since his arrival. The officer said he needed to review the case with a supervisor. The result? Martin received his green card in January 2021.
Martin was thrilled. He booked another appointment with our team to start Gabriela’s residency process and planned an extended vacation to Mexico to reconnect with loved ones and visit his late wife’s grave. We reminded him to withdraw the asylum application first. A week later, we filed for its termination. Martin was happy to delay his trip until summer when the beaches would be beautiful. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re available to help you and your loved ones every step of the way.