Publication date: 12.05.2025
My name is Dana Prediy, I am an experienced lawyer with over 10 years of experience. Key areas of law: migration and civil law.
Legal Category:
U.S. Immigration Law — Adjustment of Status after marriage to a U.S. citizen.
Case Summary:
A young couple reached out to the attorney: the husband is a U.S. citizen, the wife is a Ukrainian national who arrived in the U.S. two years ago under the humanitarian program U4U (Uniting for Ukraine). After getting married and having a child together, they decided to legalize the wife's immigration status by applying for a Green Card through the Adjustment of Status procedure.
At the time of consultation, the couple had been married for 8 months and their baby was 3 months old. The complexity of the case was due to the wife holding a conditional humanitarian status, which does not provide a secure legal basis for staying in the U.S. without proper adjustment to permanent residency. Furthermore, the process required compiling substantial documentation to demonstrate the authenticity of the marriage as well as accuracy in submitting multiple forms that are closely scrutinized by USCIS.
U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) is a humanitarian program launched by the U.S. government in 2022 in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Its goal is to provide temporary safe refuge for Ukrainians and their family members in the U.S.
Legal Strategy and Support:
Following the initial consultation, an individual legal strategy was developed. It included not only completing and submitting the immigration forms but also preparing a comprehensive evidence package to prove the validity of the marriage, financial independence of the applicant, and lack of immigration risk.
Submitted Forms:
- I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative
- I-130A – Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
- I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-864 – Affidavit of Support
- I-693 – Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
The petition included a complete package of supporting documentation, including:
- Marriage certificate
- Child’s birth certificate
- Form I-94 (proof of wife’s lawful entry)
- Husband’s passport and naturalization certificate
- Wife’s Ukrainian passport
- Husband’s tax returns for the past 3 years
- Joint bank account, photographs, hotel bookings, travel tickets
- Five notarized letters of support
- Proof of cohabitation (bank statements, utility bills)
The attorney also reviewed certified police and court records provided for full case transparency.
Current Outcome:
After submission, the family received Form I-797C (Notice of Action) — confirmation that USCIS accepted the application package. The case is currently under review, but the wife has already received her official Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing her to legally work in the U.S. prior to the final Green Card decision.
This case is a clear example of how professional legal support plays a crucial role in resolving complex immigration issues. Close attention to detail, deep understanding of USCIS requirements, thorough document preparation, and effective client communication helped avoid Requests for Evidence (RFE) and provided consistent legal support at every stage.
🟢 If you're planning to apply for Adjustment of Status or are in a similar situation — seek professional help. The right strategy from day one significantly increases your chances of success.
