The USCIS announces new address for its family-based Chicago Lockbox

The USCIS has changed its address for all non- U.S. Mail deliveries for cases including family-based adjustment of status (Form I-485), all Petitions for Alien Relative (Form I-130), and Temporary Protective Status. This new address is to be used for all Fed-Ex, DHL and other courier deliveries: USCIS - 131 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517.

All applications sent via regular U.S. mail and U.S. Express Mail will continue to be sent to: USCIS Chicago Lockbox -P.O. Box 805887, Chicago, Il 60680-4120
A tip to ensuring that immigration application filings are properly delivered to the USCIS, is to send the package via U.S. Express Mail, Fed-Ex or DHL. That way, the package can be tracked and you’ll always have proof of delivery.

IMMIGRATION Q&A

Question: I’m writing to you because I just received a notice to appear in immigration court for deportation and I don’t know what else to do. I have a U.S. girlfriend and was wondering if we get married, can that help me from being deported?

Answer: As long as a marriage is entered into for “love” and not just for immigration purposes, it may prevent those who have received a Notice to Appear (NTA) from being deported. On the NTA, the government states the specific reasons why an individual is determined to be deportable. In your circumstances, depending on the facts of your case, marriage to your girlfriend may provide a defense to your deportation. As long as there are no other issues which might prevent you from adjusting your status and the immigration judge determines that your marriage was done out of “love” and not simply for immigration benefits, an order may be made to terminate the proceedings so that your adjustment of status case can be decided by USCIS. The process can be very complicated, with many variables that can affect the outcome of the case. It is always recommended that you seek the counsel of an immigration attorney to assist you in any case involving deportation.

Question: My wife and I lived together for two years before getting married in early 2008. Once we married, my immigration papers were filed and now I am waiting for the immigration interview. The problem is that now, after being married for only four months, even after being together for all these years, my wife is becoming a monster. I want to make the marriage work but she is holding this immigration thing over my head everyday and I feel just sick about it. She is so possessive and thinks I’m going around with other women, but believe me – I am not! Recently after I came home from working late (a double shift), she had thrown all my clothes in the driveway! All my neighbors saw that. I cannot even hold my head up in the neighborhood now. I really want to move out of the house before things get crazier. She is always attacking me with her nails and calling me disrespectful names…I can’t stand it anymore. I have talked to our Pastor and he will try to convince her to go into counseling with me, but she has a big ego and I don’t think she will. Now, with all this going on, I am so worried about my immigration status. When the time comes for the marriage interview, if we are not together can I just explain this situation to the officer and maybe bring a letter from our Pastor and will I still be able to get my Green Card? Thank you.

Answer: I understand what you are going through. However, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but, unfortunately, if the marriage has not survived up to the marriage interview, even if it is not your fault, your residency will likely be denied. There is a law which allows Battered Spouses to file for immigrant visas themselves, but these types of cases are very tough and unless you can demonstrate to the USCIS through police reports, restraining orders and other means that your wife was emotionally or physically abusive, such a case may not be approved. Generally in marriage cases, the married couple needs to be living together in a valid marriage at the time of the granting of the initial green card (your marriage residency interview). The best advice I can give is for you to try your best to resolve your relationship issues as soon as possible and counseling with your Pastor sounds like the best approach to start with. If that is not possible, you should consult with an immigration attorney.