This month of July we want to share the story of one of our brave soldiers. An active military soldier volunteered to serve in Iraq and Korea. As a proud and patriotic American citizen, she was attracted to serve our country in the highest form of service. She fell in love with and married Jose, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who entered without a visa. Initially the couple went to another immigration attorney, who advised them to have Jose leave the U.S., file an I-601 waiver for Jose's unlawful presence abroad and wait for 10-12 months outside the U.S. for the waiver to be processed. Unfortunately this attorney did not consider there was a better option for them.

When the couple realized they could not withstand this long separation, they came to our office asking for a second opinion. Attorney Nellie Navidi, who is our attorney specializing in family immigration cases, informed them that there is a much better option that does not require Jose to leave the United States and did not require any separation at all because there is a special process for spouses of members of the military.

Less than a year after their first visit to our office, Jose is now a permanent resident and their family will not have to worry about the possibility of been separated. The entire process was done within the United States and cost significant less money and time than the alternative. The couple remained together in the U.S. throughout the entire process.