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Portner & Shure

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Dear Mr.Ruby, Mr. Shure, Mrs. Horseman and Mrs. Linton: I would like to express my appreciation to your professional support and guidance during the 3 overwhelming years. I was involved in a car accident. Mr. Shure came to my home and provided assistance the day after the accident. Then, your paralegals, Sandy and Dawn assisted me on each steps and kept me updated. Mr. Ruby answered my questions and phone calls. He tried and settled my case successfully. Your team professional services is the key in the success of my case. I will recommend your firm to my friend Thanks again!

-Lisa Zhang
I got into a really bad car accident and had no clue what to do. Luckily I called Portner & Shure. Thanks to them I did not have to experience the stress of talking to the insurance company's, or the hassle of gathering additional information about my case. Portner & Shure did it all. They handled all of my medical bills, and even provided a convenient chiropractor that was amazing and made me feel like myself again. They also offered a settlement that I was very pleased with.The staff were friendly and respectful. My questions were answered promptly and in great detail. I felt like I was in good hands throughout the entire process Portner & Shure is top notch. They exceeded my expectations. I recommend this law firm to anyone who refuse to settle for less.. Thanks again Portner & Shure for making this tragic experience a stress-free process and providing a satisfying result.

Jessica Tabron, Montgomery County, MD
First of all I thank God to be alive and I thank you for helping me with my case. God bless you all. It was a great pleasure. Thanks.

Angel Regina Reyes de Hernandez
Pam Brown was the paralegal that was handling my case. She was wonderful. She was always pleasant to speak with on the phone and she always kept me updated on my case. I think her professionalism is a testament to the entire team of Portner and Shure. Thank you guys for everything. Jun Jie Liu

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Green Cards through Marriage: Conditional Residence

By: Jonathan N. Portner
Sameer Sidh
March 12, 2009

For many, approval of an Application to Adjust Status (I-485) is the final step to securing a green card based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This is not the case for all applicants. Where an applicant’s I-485 application was approved prior to the second anniversary of their marriage, the applicant is awarded conditional resident status, and not full-blown permanent resident status as others receive upon approval of their I-485. There are important distinctions and regulations regarding conditional resident status that all who seek a green card should be aware of prior to filing.

Conditional resident status is identical to permanent resident status in many ways. The same rights and privileges granted to a permanent resident are also granted to the conditional resident. However, there is one major difference between the two: permanent resident status is valid for ten (10) years, and conditional resident status is only valid for two. The difference is very important because the consequences of allowing a conditional green card to expire are severe.

To receive permanent resident status and to avoid expiration of a conditional green card, the applicant and their spouse must jointly file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions. Timing is crucial in this process. The I-751 petition must be filed during the ninety (90) day period preceding the expiration of the applicant’s conditional green card. The expiration date should be exactly two years after the date on which the conditional green card was issued. Failure to file during this ninety (90) day period will result in termination of the applicant’s conditional status.

After filing the I-751 petition, both the applicant and their spouse should expect to undergo an interview. The primary goal of USCIS during this interview is to determine whether the parties are engaged in a valid marriage. To prove the validity of your marriage, couples should produce evidence in the form of bank statements from joint bank accounts, jointly filed tax returns, a lease or deed containing the names of both spouses and bills in the names of both spouses. If USCIS deems the evidence presented to be sufficient, the I-751 petition will be approved and the applicant will have the conditions removed from their permanent residence.
Complications in this process arise when the applicant, usually due to divorce or the death of their spouse, is not able to file a joint I-751 petition. In these situations, an applicant can file the I-751 petition by themselves if they request a waiver of the joint filing requirement and provide evidence to support their waiver request. Divorce cases specifically cause greater problems for an I-751 applicant because the dissolution of a marriage creates a presumption that the marriage was fraudulent from the beginning. To overcome this presumption, the applicant will have to provide evidence that the underlying marriage was not entered into for the purpose of gaining immigration benefits.

Filing a timely I-751 petition is an important step for some on the road to getting a green card. If you unsure of whether or not you need to file this petition, consult an experienced immigration attorney.

Accident Lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC

For over fifteen years the attorneys at Portner & Shure have been representing victims injured in automobile accidents. You may request a free consultation with our personal injury accident lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington D.C., to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC Immigration Lawyers

Do you have an immigration issue? Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. Want to learn more? Read our online resources: