U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Your Complete Guide
~ Updates and Errata ~
February 1998
New Adjustment of Status Rules Go into Effect
If you are in the United States and your relative petitioned for you or you or your employer began a case for you before January 14, 1997 you the USCIS will interview you for your permanent residence in the United States. Even if you started your case after January 14, 1998, the USCIS will still interview you here if:
- You entered the United States legally and you were never out-of-status and never worked without permission, or;
- You entered the United States legally and you are applying for permanent residence as an "immediate relative of a U.S. citizen." The immediate relative category includes the spouse of a U.S. citizen, unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens and the parents of U.S. citizens who are over 21, and the spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen, where at the time of your spouse's death, you had been married at least two years and were not legally separated, or:
- You are applying based on your status as a refugee or asylee;
- You are an employment-based immigrant visa applicant or a special immigrant religious worker, you entered the United States lawfully and you were never out-of-status more than 180 days.
The special immigrant visa classification for
religious workers who have 2 years of membership in a religious
denomination; two years of experience in a religious occupation or
vocation and who intend to continue to work in such occupation or vocation
has been extended until October 1, 1997. This information updates page 43
of U.S. Immigration and Citizenship - Your Complete Guide.