Hello, from ... now in DC

[RodriqueB 0]

Hello all,

I'm new to these forums and am looking for some advice. I've already sought legal consul on my immigration matter and am uneasy about the direction. So I'm here looking for a second opinion and possible a new lawyer in the DC area.

Without getting into too many details, I'll try to outline my current issue. But first a little history.

I am technically defined as stateless because my country of birth (Lebanon) does not recognize me as a citizen (Syrian father, Lebanese mother). My family emigrated to this country in 1984 during the war with falsified documents. All of us have been in some form of immigration proceedings since. I had been granted relief over the years via TPS which expired in the mid 90's. TPS allowed me to be granted a SSN and through out the years I've had immigration cases that allowed me to also maintain an EAD. At the moment I have no open immigration cases.

Now for the current situation. My current wife and I have been together for nearly three years. We decided to get married last year and proceed with the process for adjustment of status. Her I-130 was received and approved several months ago. Our next steps would be to file an I-485. We can provide all documentation for initial evidence except for one critical component, an I-94, evidence of legal entry. My parents are looking to see if they have such a document in their records. If they cannot find it, my current consul is suggesting we go down the path of an I-131. Because I am stateless, I do not qualify for a passport from any country. Therefore I do not qualify for counselor processing. He feels if we can get an I-131 approved, I may be able to temporarily leave the country and return to receive an I-94. At least this is how I am interpreting his logic. This path is very scary to my wife and I and we fear the worst case of me being denied re-entry to the US.

We've decided to get a second opinion on the matter and I happened onto this site while doing some online searches. Any advise and/or references to a lawyer in the DC area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Edited June 24, 2016 by RodriqueB

[A'n'L 735]

I'm sorry for your situation! I hope someone can guide you in the right direction.

One critical detail caught my eye though - how would you even be able to leave the country if you don't have a passport?

[RodriqueB 0]

I'm sorry for your situation! I hope someone can guide you in the right direction.

One critical detail caught my eye though - how would you even be able to leave the country if you don't have a passport?

Hi A'n'L,

Thank you for the response. My notes from a conversation with my current lawyer on this were as follows:

Travel document/passport is needed. We are going to try to use the approved visa petition notice and send to consulate for basis that I need a travel document.

I wrote that note during a phone conversation with him and I feel like I may have missed something with the note. I'm reading through the I-131 documentation and am curious if the refugee travel document would fulfill this need. I believe this travel document was intended for people in a "stateless" position.

"Individuals who hold asylee or refugee status and are not lawful permanent residents must have a Refugee Travel Document to return to the United States after travel abroad, unless they possess an Advance Parole Document."

[TBoneTX 45,267]

Good luck with your situation.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[KASH2011 382]

Welcome to VJ!

[X Factor 1,112]

Welcome to VJ