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ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS Bob Montgomery feb 12, 2005 The goal of every refugee or asylee should be to become a naturalized American citizen. However, there is one important step that a refugee or asylee must take before they can become a citizen and that is to first become a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR). LPR status does not happen automatically, the refugee/asylee must file an application for Adjustment of Status with the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). The following information will describe the process and procedures for becoming a Permanent Resident and receiving a “Green Card”. Eligibility Refugees are eligible to apply for adjustment after they have maintained one year of physical presence in the U.S. from the date of their initial arrival. Asylees must have one year of physical presence in the U.S. from the date that their asylum application was approved. Medical
As a part of the Adjustment of Status application both refugees and asylees must prove that they have no medical conditions that are a danger to the public health. Since refugees received comprehensive medical screening overseas most only need to provide a copy of their Overseas Medical Form. In addition, refugees must also have a CIS approved Civil Surgeon complete a form (I-693 Supplement) regarding immunizations. Because asylees were not required to complete a comprehensive medical screening as a part of the asylum application process, the asylee will eventually need to have a full medical exam performed by a CIS Civil Surgeon. Please note: The full I-693 should not be filed with the initial asylum-based I-485 adjustment application. This information will be requested at the time of adjudication . At the time of application, the asylee should submit the I-693 Supplement form only. Supporting Documents
Fingerprinting All refugee and asylee adult applicants (14-75 years) must be fingerprinted by the CIS. Fingerprinting is completed at Application Support Centers (ASC). Applicants will receive by mail a fingerprint appointment notification from the CIS. Fees CIS application fees have been waived for refugees. The only fee that they must pay is for fingerprinting. All applicants between the ages 14-75 will need to include a $70 check or money order to cover the fees for fingerprinting. Asylees must pay all application fees associated with their application for Adjustment of Status. For adults the fee is $315 plus $70 for fingerprinting. For children under the age of 14 the CIS fee is $215. Children under the age of 14 are not required to be fingerprinted. Processing Completed Adjustment of Status Application packets are submitted by mail to the CIS Service Center in Lincoln Nebraska . Some refugee applicants may be contacted by their local CIS District Office for an interview. It normally takes two years for a refugee applicant to receive their “Green Card”. All asylee applicants will be interviewed by CIS. Because the law only allows for 10,000 asylees to adjust each year a huge backlog of asylees is waiting to receive their “Green Cards”. Currently the wait is 14 years. Conclusion It is very important that all refugees and asylees apply as soon as they are eligible to become Permanent Residents. Because the application process can be confusing it is recommended that applicants seek the assistance of a qualified accredited resettlement agency, like the IRC or Catholic Charities. Bob Montgomery, _________________________________________ Bob M. is the director of Inernational rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego.
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