Don’t wait!
I am a procrastinator. That is not always a good thing — when I put things off until I have pressure to perform. Sometimes, the delay pays off, but more often, it just causes extra stress in my life.
I am writing to encourage immigrants to NOT be like me — don’t delay if you are eligible for a benefit. The law may change and you could lose your chance.
The government could raise the fees, or you may have something else come up that requires your attention and money, causing the process to be more complicated.
For DACA applicants, when the work card/status is expiring, we encourage applicants to file at least 100 days in advance. Yes, sometimes the government processes the applications fast. But, not always. We have some clients who file their DACA renewal a year in advance, just in case the government cancels the program.
For family petitioners, the sooner you file, the better. Delay can usually hurt. For example, the permanent resident parent who put off the filing of the petition for the teenage child — just a little too long, and the child “aged out” (turned 21). This causes years, if not decades, of additional wait time.
If you know, or think, that you might be eligible for an immigration benefit, check it out!
