Need help ..adjusting status from j1 visa

[Daniela7777 0]

Hello everybody...i came to the usa 2 and half months ago on J1 visa and got married to a US citizen on August 8th.We've been together more than 2 years now and decided to tight the knot.I would like to ask you guys for advice because my husband and I are totally lost.My hubby is on drug court and next month he is going to a 30day rehab.My visa expires Oct 1st and we dont know what to do about the papers for AOS.We've talked to a lawyer but she wants 5000 $..(amount we cant afford).Can I do all the papers by myself while my man is in a rehab or we definately need a lawyer.As well he stopped working last month due to problems with court and cant prove affidativ of support..Thank you in advance everybody..and God bless you

Yonny

[familyguy 2]

J1 Visa holders will almost always require a waiver and then there is the added complication of an arrest, rehab and no work which begs the question how is he going to support you? You can do anything without a lawyer. Is it advisable in your case? Probably not.

Edited August 24, 2009 by familyguy

[Old Dominion 26]

Ask for advice from the Catholic Charities office nearest you. They always have an immigration specialist available by appointment. But if no one with sufficient income will sponsor you, and your husband is that big of a mess, make plans to return home and start over!

[Daniela7777 0]

thank you familguy and Old Dominion for replying me...his parents are going to sponsor us, and once he is out of the rehab he will have a job in the warehouse where his dad works.I know everything is messed up..but i do believe that he is a better person and he learned from the mistakes he did in the past.

Old Dominion ..thank you I will look for Catholic Charities office near where i live..and try to contact them asap...

[Shad and Dani 3]

Find a co-sponsor and good legal advice QUICK!! All personal opinions aside, you're in a tough situation, and I wish you luck!

[Betti 1]

If your J-1 visa is subject to the 2 year residence requirement, you will not be able to adjust status without a waiver. Check it on your visa, that would probably be the first step to take before you can even start to adjust status.

You will need a co-sponsor, since your husband does not have any income. But you said your parents in law will help you in this regard?

Good luck.

[Daniela7777 0]

If your J-1 visa is subject to the 2 year residence requirement, you will not be able to adjust status without a waiver. Check it on your visa, that would probably be the first step to take before you can even start to adjust status.

You will need a co-sponsor, since your husband does not have any income. But you said your parents in law will help you in this regard?

Good luck.

Betti, my J-1 visa is not subject to the 2 year residence requirement.Yes his mom will be our co-sponsor. We've talked to a lawyer and she said we should not have any problems, but she wants too much for her services.We plan on filling out the papers and sending them on our own.Hopefully there wont be any problems.Thank you!

Shad and Dani, thank you so much.

Thank you for the support guys!I'll try to keep u inform how everything is going with our situation.

Have a beautiful day everyone.