Mary and Agnes taking great delight in the magic show by the very talented Jack Ryan

Immigration and U.S. Citizenship News

By Kieran C. O’Sullivan
Email: kieran@ipcboston.org
Call: 617-265-5300 Ext. 16


Family sponsorship and step-children

One of my calls this week was from a U.S. citizen who wanted to file for his step children in Ireland. We turned to attorney Chris Lavery for input on the case. “As long as the step child relationship was there before the child turned 18 (as it was in this case), this gentleman is able to file an I-130 alien relative petition.”

The downside in a lot of situations where family sponsorship is concerned is the backlogs in the different categories. For example a U.S. citizen filing for a child who is over 21 faces a back-log of over 7 years.

Each month the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issues a Visa Bulletin on its website at www.state.gov. At the site, viewers will see where the DOS stands with visa issuance. Because of backlogs, we always remind people to explore other avenues available through employment based visa sponsorship or the annual Diversity Visa lottery.

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent

Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, and any unused first preference numbers:

A. Spouses and Children: 77% of the overall second preference limitation,

of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older): 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

The family sponsorship process is a multi-step process and there is a lot of paperwork involved. A lot of the forms are available on line free of charge at www.uscis.gov . However, before filing them with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service be sure to have them reviewed by an attorney.

U.S. Citizenship applications

We will be reviewing U.S. citizenship eligibility for attendees at our Dorchester and Quincy clinics during May. The application: N400 can be downloaded to your home home computer. If you have any arrests or past convictions, it is recommended that you get the certified docket sheet from the court house on same and attend one of our legal clinics.

Marriage green card cases

The adjustment of status process for those filing after marriage to a U.S. citizen can be an intimidating process for many. We invite those with questions on this process to attend one of our clinics for a free consultation with our attorneys.

Upcoming Free Immigration Clinic

Dorchester Clinic: Our next immigration clinic will be on Tuesday May 5th, starting at 6:30 pm – at the Banshee, 934 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester. On-street parking available.

Quincy Clinic: Our next immigration will be in Quincy on Tuesday May 19th starting at 6:00 pm - Kelly’s Cellar, 1546R Hancock St., Quincy. Paid parking or on-street parking available (across from the Court House)

Immigration attorneys will be present to answer questions on visas, green cards, U.S. citizenship, immigration reform, and deferred action.


Senior moments from the IPC

By Phil O’Sullivan, Interim Senior Program Coordinator
Email: philosullivan@ipcboston.org or call 617-265-5300 x 13


Barbara, Arlene, on a beautiful Wednesday morning at Café Eireann

Café Eireann

The fine weather is continuing to attract large numbers to Rita Road and Wednesday was no different. The large group sampled the fine freshly baked goods and as usual were served hot teas and coffees by the hard working volunteers. It turned out to be a magical day for the seniors, literally, as magician Jack Ryan gave a fantastic performance that had all the seniors in awe. Thanks to Jack for the amazing performance and also a big thank you to the seniors for being a terrific audience.

At Café Eireann in Dorchester, Martin Connors and Maureen Ahearn having fun at magician, Jack Ryan's show

Cara Club

There was no Cara Club last Monday due to Patriots Day. Hopefully, people enjoyed the holiday and were out supporting the Boston Marathon. Boston Strong!