Santamaria Law Firm, P.C.

Many immigrants receive a marriage-based green card and assume that all green cards provide the same status and have the same renewal requirements. However, U.S. immigration law distinguishes between conditional permanent residence and regular lawful permanent residence. Understanding the difference is important because it affects what a person must file to maintain their status and continue their immigration journey. In general, a spouse who becomes a permanent resident based on a marriage...

At Santamaria Law Firm, we understand that an E-2 Treaty Investor application is often a family decision, with parents hoping to establish a U.S. business while giving their spouse and children an opportunity to live, study, and build a future in America. However, applying together requires more than preparing the principal investor's business documentation. In 2026, families should understand how derivative eligibility, individual visa applications, and long-term immigration planning can...

At Santamaria Law Firm, P.C., we understand that one of the most misunderstood aspects of marriage-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the difference between sharing a home with someone and demonstrating a genuine marital relationship for immigration purposes. In 2026, couples applying for a marriage green card should understand that living together can support a bona fide marriage claim, but cohabitation alone does not establish that a marriage was entered into in good faith. U.S....