Green Card Attorney in Houston

All Major Green Card Pathways, Handled by Attorneys Who Know the Process Firsthand

A green card – formally called a Permanent Resident Card – authorizes you to live and work in the United States permanently and is the foundation for most paths to U.S. citizenship. At Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC, we represent Houston clients seeking lawful permanent resident (LPR) status across every major eligibility pathway: family-based petitions, employment-based categories, asylum and refugee status, and humanitarian categories including T and U visas and VAWA. Individuals who remain in the U.S. for extended periods without permanent residency risk deportation.

Founding Attorney Sebastian Simon has navigated the U.S. immigration process personally, and that firsthand experience shapes how our firm approaches every case. We serve clients in Houston, across the United States, and internationally from offices in Houston, TX, and New York City. Our team is bilingual and ready to assist you in English and Spanish. Read our client success stories to learn about matters we’ve handled, then reach out to schedule your free consultation.

Contact our Houston law offices for help from a team of immigration advocates who understand what you’re up against. Speak with a green card lawyer today – Hablamos Español.

Green Card Eligibility Categories We Handle

There are multiple paths to a green card, and the right one depends entirely on your circumstances. Which category applies to you determines the forms you file, the evidence you need, and how long the process may take. Our attorneys assess your situation and identify the pathway that fits.

Family-Based Green Card Options

Family-based green cards are available when a qualifying spouse, fiancé(e), sibling, or other family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors your application through family-based immigration. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens face no annual quota; preference category relatives of citizens and LPRs are subject to annual limits that can extend timelines significantly.

You may also qualify as a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, or as a VAWA self-petitioner if you are an abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Employment-Based Green Card Pathways

Employment-based green cards span five preference tiers. EB-1 covers persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives. EB-2 covers advanced degree professionals and those qualifying for a national interest waiver. EB-3 applies to skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. EB-4 addresses special immigrants, and EB-5 is available to qualifying immigrant investors. Through employment-based immigration, the petition may come from a U.S. employer, be self-filed based on extraordinary ability, or be based on a qualifying investment in a U.S. enterprise.

Asylum & Refugee Status

If you hold asylum or refugee status, you may petition for a green card through adjustment of status after being physically present in the United States for at least one year in that status. This pathway is distinct from other categories and requires documentation specific to your protection-based status.

Other Eligible Categories

Additional green card categories cover specific immigration situations, including:

• T and U visa holders – Victims of human trafficking and crime victims who cooperated with law enforcement may qualify for permanent residency.
• Religious workers – Members of a religious vocation employed by a qualifying nonprofit religious organization in the United States.
• Special Immigrant Juveniles – Juvenile immigrants requiring protection from abuse, neglect, or abandonment by a parent.
• International Broadcasters – Immigrants employed by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) in qualifying media roles.

Qualifying armed forces members and certain diplomats may also be eligible. Each category carries distinct evidentiary and procedural requirements.

Disqualifying Factors & Available Waivers

Not every applicant qualifies for a green card outright. Common grounds of inadmissibility include certain criminal convictions (crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses), prior immigration violations such as unlawful presence or visa overstays, health-related grounds, and financial grounds assessed through a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. Prior unlawful entry or prior removals can trigger bars to adjustment of status and may require consular processing rather than a domestic filing.

Our attorneys assess whether a disqualifying factor applies to your case and, where one does, identify whether a waiver is available to allow your application to proceed. Attorney Sebastian Simon’s personal experience with the immigration process gives our firm practical insight into the real obstacles applicants face, including the ones that don’t surface until a case is already in motion. If your situation involves a criminal matter, we analyze the specific charge and its immigration consequences before any filing.

Steps to Apply for a Green Card

The green card process begins with an immigrant petition. This is typically Form I-130 for family-based cases or Form I-140 for employment-based cases. For preference categories, applicants then wait for a visa number to become available before filing Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence. Applicants outside the United States go through consular processing with the U.S. Department of State instead. Filing Form I-765 concurrently with I-485 can allow many applicants to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) so they can work legally while the green card is pending.

The general process for adjustment of status applicants includes:

• Determine eligibility and identify the correct immigrant petition for your category.
• File the appropriate immigrant petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140, depending on category).
• Wait for a visa number to become available, if your category is subject to annual limits.
• File Form I-485 and, if applicable, Form I-765 for work authorization.
• Attend a biometrics appointment scheduled by USCIS.
• Appear for your in-person interview at the USCIS Houston Field Office.
• Receive a decision; green cards issued after approval are generally valid for 10 years.

Having an attorney review your forms before submission can reduce the risk of errors that lead to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or denials. We help you build a complete, accurate filing from the start.

The USCIS Houston Field Office & What to Expect

The USCIS Houston Field Office serves the Houston metropolitan area and southeast Texas across approximately 30 counties, making it one of the busiest field offices in the state. The office conducts in-person interviews for adjustment of status (Form I-485), naturalization (Form N-400), and removal of conditions (Form I-751) cases. It doesn’t accept walk-ins; all visits require a scheduled appointment issued by USCIS.

High application volume at the Houston Field Office can contribute to longer processing timelines. Bring your appointment notice, valid government-issued photo ID, passport, and original supporting documents to your interview. Our attorneys may accompany you. We prepare clients through mock interviews and a detailed review of required documentation so nothing is missing or inconsistent when you walk in. Complete, accurate filings from the outset can help reduce avoidable delays.

Why Houston Clients Choose Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC

Our firm handles the full range of green card pathways, not just family-based petitions. That breadth matters when a client’s eligibility depends on layered immigration history, a prior protection claim, or an employment situation that doesn’t fit a standard mold. We tailor our approach to each client’s circumstances rather than treating applications as interchangeable.

Attorney Sebastian Simon’s firsthand experience with the U.S. immigration process means we understand the uncertainty that comes with waiting on a decision, preparing for an interview, and navigating a system that can feel impenetrable. We serve a diverse international clientele from offices in Houston and New York City, and our team provides services in English and Spanish. We offer a free consultation to assess your situation and explain your options under immigration law.

Contact our green card attorneys in Houston to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.

How Our Houston Green Card Attorneys Can Assist You

Going through the green card process without legal representation means navigating Form I-485, immigrant petitions, biometrics, and a USCIS interview on your own, with limited recourse if something goes wrong. Our attorneys handle the procedural complexity so you can focus on your life.

Working with our firm means having support at every stage:

• File paperwork correctly: We help ensure every form is completed accurately and received by the right party on time.
• Prevent costly mistakes: Errors in documentation are a leading cause of delays and denials; we catch them before filing.
• Interview preparation: We conduct mock interviews and walk you through what to expect at the Houston Field Office.
• Know your options: We provide objective legal advice on every available pathway, including waivers and alternative routes.
• Respond to RFEs: If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, we respond promptly with a well-documented reply.
• Protect your rights: We work to protect your rights at every stage of the process.
• Add credibility: Attorney representation can strengthen the presentation of your case to USCIS.

Our green card attorneys at Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC are ready to help. Call (713) 839-0639 or use our online form to schedule your consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Typical Timeline for Obtaining a Green Card in Houston?

Timelines vary significantly by category and current USCIS backlogs. Immediate relative family cases may take several months to over a year. Preference category cases, including many employment-based applications, can take several years due to annual visa quotas and country-of-origin backlogs. High application volume at the Houston Field Office can also affect scheduling. Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC works to minimize delays by ensuring documentation is accurate and complete from the initial filing and by staying current on local USCIS procedures that affect scheduling and processing.

How Can I Prepare for My Green Card Interview?

Preparation typically involves reviewing your application for consistency, gathering original supporting documents, and practicing responses to questions about your background and eligibility. At your Houston Field Office interview, bring your appointment notice, passport, government-issued ID, and originals of all documents submitted with your application. At Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC, we prepare clients through mock interviews and personalized guidance on how to respond clearly and accurately so you walk in better prepared.

What Happens If My Green Card Application Is Denied?

USCIS sends a written notice explaining the reasons for the denial. Depending on the grounds, your options may include a motion to reopen with new evidence, a motion to reconsider based on legal error, or an appeal to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Strict deadlines apply, often 30 days from the denial date, so prompt legal consultation matters. In some situations, reapplying with a stronger evidence package is more appropriate than an appeal. The team at Sebastian Simon Law Group, PLLC assesses the denial, identifies potential paths forward, and explores alternative residency pathways where needed. See our expanded guidance on denial options and appeals below.

Ready to pursue permanent residency? Contact us online or call (713) 839-0639 to speak with a green card attorney about your options.