Legal Clinic Update

We had a busy night at our legal clinic this past Tuesday at Bad Abbots in Quincy. Our thanks to Immigration Attorney Chris Lavery and our team of volunteers who showed up to help Irish immigrants including young families navigate the US immigration visa process.

Blood tests for Marriage Licenses

We had three couples at our clinics with questions on the adjustment of status process following marriage to a US citizen. One question was on the question of a requirement for blood tests in Massachusetts in connection with applying for a marriage license. The law changed in 2005, you no longer need blood work to apply for a marriage license.

This is not to be confused, however, with the medical examination required by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. The USCIS require all adjustment of status applicants have a medical at one of their approved facilities when applying for legal permanent residency.

You can apply for a marriage license with any city or town clerk. Both of you must be present when applying. It often takes three business days for the clerk to prepare the license and you should expect to pay a small processing fee.

A marriage license is good for 60 days, so you should apply for your license within two months of your wedding date.

Expiring Conditional Green cards

Another attendee at our clinic received clarification on how to apply to remove the conditional status on his green card.

During the 90-day period prior to the expiration of the card, an application to remove conditional status must be filed. The form used is the I-751. Failure to file this form may result in deportation proceedings. Call us if you have a question on any of these matters. Immigrants submitting any application or petition to the USCIS should have their cases reviewed by attorneys prior to submission.

OUR NEXT FREE LEGAL CLINIC IS ON JUNE 3 AT BAD ABBOTS.