If you’re applying for an adjustment of status as a United States immigrant, you need to prove lawful entry. Here’s how to do it and how an experienced Texas immigration attorney can help you navigate the process.
Inspections & Admissions
To make lawful entry in America, you must have both an admission and an inspection at the border or another visa checkpoint. To do this, you must present yourself and specific documents to a customs official.
Then, you will be asked to submit different forms of identification to immigration officers, like your photograph and fingerprints. Once the officer completes their interview and releases you, the inspection and admissions requirement is considered met.
What Documents Are Needed?
There are several documents that can be used to show that you made lawful entry when you arrived in the United States, including but not limited to:
- A Border Crossing Card
- A Temporary Resident Card
- An Employment Authorization Card
These documents must be valid at the time of entry.
Parole Entry & Wave-Through Admissions
In some situations, an immigration officer will allow a person to enter the U.S. before determining their admissibility. This is called parole and is a temporary form of lawful entry that is offered on an individual basis. Note that parole isn’t admissibility but it does allow immigrants to still enter the country lawfully provided they can show:
- A parole stamp on a valid passport; or
- An advance parole document; or
- An Arrival/Departure Form with a parole stamp
Immigration officers may also decide to do what’s called a “wave-through” admission, where no questions are asked. This is rare and usually happens by accident. In this case, you may need to provide additional proof that the officer “waved” you through the checkpoint, like a sworn statement from a third-party eyewitness.
When To Contact A Qualified Immigration Lawyer
If your entry status is being questioned by immigration officials, you need qualified legal help to prove that your entry was lawful. Eluid Zavala is a veteran Houston, Texas immigration attorney who can provide you with comprehensive advocacy as you navigate the challenging process of satisfying the many legal requirements there are for successfully immigrating to the United States.
Call now for a free consultation to get started at (713) 766-6720 (Houston) or (713) 588-2132 (Greenspoint Park).