Adjustment of Status Lawyer Austin
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Why You Need An Adjustment Of Status Attorney In Austin To Help With Your Green Card Case
If you are living in the U.S. and want to become a permanent resident, adjustment of status may be your best path forward. This process lets you apply for a green card without leaving the country, which matters because traveling abroad after an extended stay can put your status at risk.
The process sounds simple, but in practice it is not. USCIS requires exact forms, correct fees, and the right supporting documents, filed at the right time. One wrong answer or a missing page can delay your case months.
That is where having an adjustment of status lawyer in Austin by your side makes a real difference. Michael G. Murray, P.A., is an Austin immigration law firm with over 15 years experience in immigration law. Attorney Michael Murray works through each file carefully and looks for problems before they reach USCIS.
The firm serves clients across Texas and throughout the U.S. Whether you are applying based on a family relationship, a marriage, or another qualifying basis, the approach stays the same: your facts shape the plan, and evidence is carefully assembled and reviewed before anything is filed.
What’s At Stake With Your Green Card Application
A denied or delayed adjustment of status application can set your plans back by a year or more, and in some cases, affect your ability to remain in the U.S. USCIS requires exact forms, correct fees, and the right supporting documents, all filed at the right time.
USCIS also reviews every adjustment of status case on a discretionary basis, weighing the applicant’s full history rather than eligibility alone, which makes a well-prepared file even more important. One wrong answer can lead to a Request for Evidence that slows your case by months, and a missing document can mean a denial that is harder and more costly to fix than doing it right the first time.
Michael G. Murray, P.A., reviews your full picture, including your current status, your visa category, and your history, before anything gets filed. If there is a gap or a concern, it gets addressed early. Whether you need help with a marriage-based green card, a family-sponsored petition, or an immigration waiver, the firm builds a plan around your specific facts rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Michael G. Murray, P.A., Stands Out for Austin Adjustment of Status Cases
Michael Murray has practiced immigration law for more than a decade and has seen how small filing errors turn into long delays, which is why he works to catch them before they reach USCIS.
Before focusing on immigration, he spent two years as a criminal defense attorney with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. That background matters if your file has a past charge or arrest, as he can spot the risk early and address it before USCIS questions eligibility.
The firm also handles immigration exclusively, so your case gets full attention rather than competing with unrelated practice areas.
Communication is essential in preparing your case. Spanish-speaking staff are available so you can ask questions clearly and get answers in the language you’re most comfortable using. Michael G. Murray, P.A., operates from a physical office at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd in Austin, with in-person meetings available at your convenience. The firm serves clients across Texas and throughout the U.S. from this Austin office.
To learn more about Michael G. Murray’s background and the firm’s approach, visit the firm’s About Us page.
Your Adjustment of Status Journey In Austin, Step by Step
The adjustment of status process has several clear stages. Knowing what comes next helps you stay calm and prepared.
Initial Consultation
You and your attorney review your current visa status, your immigration history, and your goal, and confirm whether you qualify to file for a green card inside the U.S.
Document Review
You gather key records, including proof of status, identity documents, financial support forms, and civil documents like birth and marriage certificates. Your attorney reviews each item before anything is submitted.
Filing Your Petition
For most family-based cases, an I-130 petition must be submitted to establish the family relationship, with the filing location depending on where you live and whether you are filing Form I-485 at the same time.
K-1 fiancé visa holders are an exception: since the approved K-1 petition already established the relationship, no separate I-130 is needed, and the foreign spouse files Form I-485 directly after the marriage. Once the I-130 petition is approved for other family-based cases, or if one is already approved, you can file your main green card application with USCIS. In many cases, you may also be eligible to file Forms I-130 and I-485 at the same time.
Biometrics Appointment
USCIS will send a notice to appear at the Application Support Center in Austin, where they take your fingerprints and photo.
Medical Exam
You complete a medical exam with a USCIS-approved civil surgeon, who completes Form I-693 for you to submit with your green card application.
The Interview
Most applicants attend an interview at a local USCIS field office. Adjustment of status cases filed in the central Texas area, including Austin, are interviewed at the San Antonio Field Office. Your attorney helps you prepare and review likely questions beforehand, including what updated documents to bring with you to the interview.
Decision
After the interview, USCIS makes a decision, sometimes the same day. If more evidence is needed, USCIS may send a Request for Evidence, and your attorney will assist you at that time. If a case sits with USCIS beyond normal processing times, Austin-area applicants have the option to seek relief through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division. Once approved, your green card arrives by mail.
Family-based adjustment of status cases filed in Texas may take six to eighteen months, depending on the visa category, USCIS workload, and how complete your file is at submission. Once your green card is approved, it also starts the clock toward naturalization eligibility, generally three to five years later, depending on your basis for the green card.
Start Your Adjustment of Status Case In Austin Today
If you are ready to move forward, Michael G. Murray, P.A., is here to help you take the next step with confidence. The firm has many years of experience handling immigration cases across Texas and the U.S. and anticipates USCIS immigration standards and requirements at every stage of the adjustment of status process.
Whether you are filing based on family, marriage, or another qualifying path, the firm will review your file with care and build a plan that fits your situation. Contact the firm to schedule a consultation at the Austin office. Come prepared to talk through your current status, your goals, and your timeline, and bring your passport, visa records, and any prior immigration filings. Take the first step toward permanent residence today.
Questions About Adjustment of Status In Austin
1. Can I travel outside the U.S. while my case is pending?
Leaving without a valid advance parole document may terminate your case. Get travel permission approved before you leave.
2. What happens if my priority date is not yet current?
Unless you are an immediate relative, you cannot file to adjust status until your priority date becomes current in the monthly U.S. Department of State visa bulletin.
3. Does a past traffic ticket affect my case?
Minor infractions rarely cause problems alone, but tickets that led to an arrest or criminal charge may present an issue. Review your full record and provide all records to the attorney at the start of representation.
4. How much does the adjustment of status filing fee cost?
Fees depend on your age and the forms you need to file, and USCIS updates them periodically. Check the current USCIS fee schedule before filing.
5. Can I work legally while waiting for my green card?
You can apply for an Employment Authorization Document at the same time you file for adjustment of status, which lets you work once approved.
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