What Is the EB-1A Visa?

The EB-1A green card is for individuals who have risen to the very top of their field. It requires no employer sponsor or labor certification — making it one of the most powerful self-petition pathways in US immigration law. You must meet at least 3 of 10 regulatory criteria.

What Is the National Interest Waiver (NIW)?

The NIW allows qualified foreign nationals to bypass labor certification by demonstrating their work is in the national interest of the United States. Particularly powerful for researchers, physicians, entrepreneurs, and advanced-degree professionals.

EB-1A Criteria

• Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
• Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement
• Published material about you in major trade or media publications
• Participation as a judge of the work of others
• Original scientific, scholarly, or business contributions of major significance
• Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals
• Display of work at artistic exhibitions
• Leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
• High salary relative to peers
• Commercial success in the performing arts

Our Process

Marriage-Based Green Cards: An Overview

US citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouses for a US green card. The process differs depending on the sponsor’s status and whether the foreign national lives inside or outside the US.

Adjustment of Status (Inside the US)

• Concurrent filing of I-130 and I-485 for immediate relatives of US citizens
• Work authorization (EAD) and travel permit (Advance Parole) while pending
• Full interview preparation for the USCIS immigration interview

Consular Processing (Outside the US)

When the spouse lives abroad, the case travels through the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to a US Embassy or Consulate. We manage the full NVC submission and consular interview preparation.

I-751: Removing Conditions on Residence

• Joint petition — filed with your spouse
• Abuse waiver — for survivors of battery or extreme cruelty
• Divorce waiver — when the marriage has ended in good faith
• Hardship waiver — when deportation would cause extreme hardship

What Is VAWA?

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows certain abused immigrants to petition for lawful permanent residence independently and confidentially — without the cooperation or knowledge of the abusive US citizen or permanent resident.

VAWA I-360 Self-Petition

• You are or were married to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
• You have been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty
• You have resided with the abusive relative
• You are a person of good moral character
• The marriage was entered into in good faith

I-751 Abuse Waiver

If you received a conditional green card and were subjected to abuse, you may file an I-751 waiver without your spouse’s knowledge or cooperation. You do not need to be divorced to file.

Our VAWA Experience

Laurore, PC has been representing domestic violence survivors in immigration matters since before founding this firm. We are former members of the Domestic Violence Attorney Network (DVAN) and former board members of A Way Out, a DV services organization. This is not just a practice area — it is a cause we have championed for our entire career.

Asylum: A Legal Path to Protection

Asylum allows individuals who have suffered persecution — or have a well-founded fear of future persecution — based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion to remain in the United States.

Affirmative Asylum

• Comprehensive I-589 preparation with detailed personal statement
• Country condition evidence and expert documentation
• Full asylum interview preparation and coaching
• Referral handling if case is sent to Immigration Court

Defensive Asylum — Immigration Court

• Master calendar hearing representation
• Full merits hearing preparation and courtroom advocacy
• Expert witness coordination
• BIA appeals where applicable

CBP One Cases

Laurore, PC is experienced in the unique procedural requirements of CBP One cases, including appointment management, documentation, and post-entry case preparation.

What Are Immigration Waivers?

An immigration waiver is a formal application to forgive a specific ground of inadmissibility. Common grounds include unlawful presence, prior removal, misrepresentation, and certain criminal convictions.

I-601A: Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

The I-601A allows certain individuals inadmissible only due to unlawful presence to apply for a waiver before leaving the country for their consular interview. The applicant must demonstrate extreme hardship to a qualifying US citizen or LPR spouse or parent.

I-601: Consular Waiver

The I-601 is filed at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad after an individual has been found inadmissible. Laurore, PC has extensive experience building winning I-601 cases with thorough hardship documentation.

Building the Extreme Hardship Case

• Detailed personal statement describing hardship factors
• Medical records documenting health conditions
• Financial documentation showing economic dependency
• Country condition reports where applicable
• Expert evaluations (medical, psychological, vocational)

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Requirements

• Lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen)
• Physically present in the US for at least half the required period
• Maintained continuous residence without lengthy absences
• At least 18 years old at the time of application
• Good moral character
• English language ability (with exceptions)
• Pass the civics test on US history and government

Our Naturalization Process