A clear path to permanent residence
Family- and employment-based green cards, adjustment of status, conditional residence, and interview preparation.
A green card is more than a work permit — it's permanent status, a path to citizenship, and peace of mind. But the route matters: family sponsorship, employment sponsorship, asylum-based adjustment and other categories each carry their own eligibility rules, forms, fees, and traps. The most expensive mistake in immigration law is filing for a benefit you don't qualify for.
That's why every case at Law Office of Patrick Smith starts with a full history review — entries, exits, status gaps, and any contact with immigration court — before we recommend a path. When we file, we file complete: forms, supporting evidence, civil documents, medical exam, and real interview preparation.
Based in Bedford, serving the entire Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, with federal cases accepted nationwide.
Ways to get a green card
- Through family: petitions by a U.S. citizen or permanent-resident relative — the most common route.
- Through marriage: adjustment of status inside the U.S. or consular processing abroad.
- Through employment: employer-sponsored categories, typically starting with PERM labor certification.
- Through asylum: asylees may apply for adjustment one year after grant.
Adjustment of status (Form I-485)
For applicants eligible to complete the process inside the U.S., a complete package typically includes:
- The I-485 application with attorney-reviewed supporting forms and evidence.
- The immigration medical exam (Form I-693) with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.
- Interim benefits where appropriate: employment authorization and advance parole travel permission.
- Structured USCIS interview preparation — what the officer will ask, what documents to bring, and a practice run.
Conditional residence, renewals, and replacements
- A marriage-based green card issued before the second anniversary is conditional (2-year card). Form I-751 must be filed in the 90-day window before it expires — missing it jeopardizes your status.
- Divorced, separated, or a survivor of abuse? I-751 waivers exist — you can often still remove conditions without your spouse.
- We also handle I-90 renewals and replacements for expired, lost, or incorrect green cards.
Let's talk about your case
The initial consultation is free, by phone, and lasts 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does adjustment of status take in Texas?
Processing times move constantly and vary by category and field office. Marriage-based cases at the local level have their own rhythm; employment cases depend on visa-number availability. We'll check current published processing times for your exact category at your free consultation.
Can I travel while my green card application is pending?
Not without authorization — leaving the U.S. with a pending I-485 and no advance parole can be treated as abandoning the application. If travel matters to you, we build advance parole into the filing from day one.
What happens at the green card interview?
A USCIS officer reviews your application, verifies your documents, and — in marriage cases — tests whether the relationship is genuine. Preparation is everything: we rehearse the likely questions, organize your evidence, and flag any weak points before the government does.
My 2-year green card is expiring — do I just renew it?
No, and this trips up many people. A 2-year card is conditional residence: you must file Form I-751 to remove conditions during the 90 days before expiration. Filing an ordinary renewal instead — or missing the window — can put you in removal proceedings. If the marriage ended, waiver options may still apply.
Do you take employment-based green card cases?
Yes — employer-sponsored cases including PERM-based categories, working with your employer's timeline. If you're in DFW on a work visa and want to talk permanent residence, that's a conversation worth having early.
Contact us
We're here to help. Write or call us to request your consultation.