Adjustment of Status Lawyer Serving Raleigh and Wake County
Adjustment of status lets eligible applicants already living in the United States apply for a green card without leaving the country.
What an Adjustment of Status Lawyer Handles
An adjustment of status lawyer at Guirguis Law reviews your entry history, current immigration status and the green card category you qualify for, then builds the application around USCIS requirements. This service is designed for people who were inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States and now want to become lawful permanent residents through family, employment, asylum or another eligible path. The rules governing eligibility, timing and evidence are strict, and a single missed detail can delay a case for months.
Many clients come to us after a spouse petition, an approved employment case or an asylum grant, unsure of what paperwork comes next. Others are trying to understand how a prior visa overstay, a pending removal case or a pending TPS application might affect their eligibility.
Our immigration attorney team also coordinates with clients handling related matters, from a family immigration lawyer working through consular timelines to a temporary protected status lawyer tracking TPS re-registration deadlines, so nothing falls through the cracks while your green card case moves forward.
Key Benefits of Working With a Green Card Lawyer
Filing Form I-485 without guidance often means incomplete evidence, missed deadlines or unnecessary trips to a USCIS field office. A green card lawyer helps you avoid the mistakes that slow cases down or lead to a denial.
- Accurate identification of the correct green card category before you file
- Complete, well-organized supporting evidence to reduce Requests for Evidence
- Preparation for biometrics appointments and USCIS interviews
- Guidance on work and travel authorization while your case is pending
- Strategy for overcoming inadmissibility issues, including waivers where available
- Ongoing communication so you always know your case status
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
How We Guide Your Adjustment of Status Case
Every adjustment of status case starts with a full review of your immigration history and ends with a clear plan for what comes next, including the possibility of citizenship down the road with help from a citizenship attorney at our firm.
Case Evaluation
We review your entry record, prior filings, visa history and any criminal or immigration violations that could affect eligibility before recommending a path forward.
Application Preparation
Our team prepares Form I-485 and all supporting documents, including medical exams, affidavits of support and evidence tied to your specific green card category.
Filing and Follow-Up
We file your case with USCIS, track receipt notices and biometrics appointments, and respond quickly if the agency requests additional evidence.
Interview and Decision
We prepare you for your USCIS interview, attend with you when required, and address any appeal or Motion to Reopen if a decision doesn't go your way.
Meet the Immigration Attorneys Handling Your Case
Our immigration legal services are led by attorneys who understand how adjustment of status intersects with family petitions, employment visas and asylum cases. Below are two members of our team who regularly guide clients through green card applications.
Nardine Mary Guirguis
Nardine leads Guirguis Law's immigration practice, guiding clients through adjustment of status, family-based petitions and citizenship applications with a client-focused approach.
Biez Almeida Neto
Biez works closely with clients on immigration matters, including green card applications, employment visas and cases involving prior removal or inadmissibility concerns.
Why Wake, Durham and Johnston County Families Choose Guirguis Law
Our office sits on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, a short walk from the Wake County Courthouse and easy to reach from the Beltline for clients across the Triangle. Families from Cary, Apex and Garner regularly meet with us here, and clients from Durham and Johnston County appreciate that we handle immigration matters statewide and nationwide, not just locally.
Adjustment of status cases often touch other areas of law, whether a client is finalizing a divorce that affects a marriage-based petition or needs an estate planning lawyer once their green card is approved. Because our firm also practices family law, criminal defense and personal injury law, we can spot issues in a client's broader legal picture that a narrower immigration practice might miss.
We built our practice around equal representation and equal effort for every client, welcoming people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Adjustment of Status FAQs
Adjustment of status raises specific questions that differ from other immigration filings. Here are answers to some of the questions our clients ask most often.
Can I adjust status if I entered the U.S. legally but overstayed my visa?
In many cases, yes. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21, are often exempt from the overstay bar if their original entry was lawful.
Applicants filing through employment or other preference categories typically face stricter inadmissibility rules tied to unlawful presence, and may need a formal waiver before moving forward. An immigration attorney can review your entry and status history to identify which rules apply to your case.
How long does adjustment of status take for clients in Raleigh?
Processing times vary based on your green card category, current USCIS backlogs and whether the agency issues a Request for Evidence. Family-based cases filed through Raleigh often take several months to over a year, while employment-based cases follow separate timelines set by national service centers.
We track your case status throughout the process and let you know promptly if USCIS requests anything additional.
Can filing for adjustment of status put me at risk of deportation?
Filing does notify federal immigration authorities of your current status. If your application is denied and you lack another lawful basis to remain, USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear that starts removal proceedings.
This risk is higher for applicants with prior removal orders, criminal history or past immigration fraud. Reviewing your full immigration history with an attorney before filing helps identify these risks in advance.
Can a family immigration lawyer help my spouse and children adjust status together?
Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can often adjust status together as derivative beneficiaries on a single petition, which keeps the family's timeline aligned.
A family immigration lawyer coordinates each family member's documentation, interview scheduling and any individual eligibility issues so the household moves through the process as one coordinated case rather than several separate ones.
Start Your Green Card Application With Confidence
Adjustment of status is often the last step between years of waiting and holding a permanent green card in hand. Let our immigration attorney team review your eligibility, prepare your case and stand with you through your interview.
