DuPage County LIFE Act 245i Attorney

Immigration Attorneys for Assistance with the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act in Illinois

The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act was created to allow certain non-U.S. Citizens who are present in the U.S. and who would not otherwise qualify for adjustment of status to obtain a Green Card. The LIFE Act was passed and signed into law in 2000, and it included an extension to Section 245i of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allowing persons who had a petition or labor certification filed on their behalf prior to April 30, 2001 to qualify for legal status. LIFE Act 245i is a very complex area of immigration law, and only certain individuals are eligible for relief under the provisions of this law. If you believe you may qualify for this opportunity, it is best to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer to review your options.

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we have extensive experience helping individuals in Chicagoland and throughout Northern Illinois with all types of immigration matters. Our award-winning attorneys frequently represent clients who need to address issues related to USCIS and ICE, and we have a strong track record of success dealing with these agencies. We also have in-depth knowledge of the LIFE Act, the specific requirements for eligibility, and how to successfully obtain legal status for those that qualify. We put this experience to work to give our clients the skilled guidance and representation they need.

Who Is Eligible for LIFE Act Relief?

You may be eligible for adjustment of status under the LIFE Act even if you entered the U.S. illegally or without inspection, have overstayed a temporary visa, or worked in the U.S. without authorization. To qualify, the following requirements must be met:

• You are admissible to the United States or are eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility;
• You have a visa available to you;
• If you are the principal beneficiary, you were physically present in the U.S. on December 21, 2000 (the date the law was enacted), and you filed your petition between January 15, 1998 and April 30, 2001;
• You are the beneficiary of a Labor Certification Application (LCA) or approvable immigrant visa petition filed on your behalf prior to April 30, 2001; and
• You are the dependent (spouse or child) of a grandfathered individual and are eligible for adjustment of status under LIFE Act 245i.

Individuals may still be grandfathered under the LIFE Act even if the petitioner dies, divorces the beneficiary, withdraws the petition or LCA, the employer filing the LCA goes out of business, or the petition or LCA is otherwise unable to be maintained.

Contact Our Lombard Immigration Relief Lawyers

The LIFE Act essentially allows qualified individuals to file a new petition for adjustment to legal status on the basis of a previously filed petition. For those who fit the criteria, this provides a path to legal immigration that would otherwise be unavailable. If you believe you or a family member may be eligible for relief under this Act, contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today at 630-932-9100 for a free consultation with one of our skilled Illinois immigration attorneys.