Seattle Immigration Law Updates & Resources
Expert Guidance from Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan
Get clear answers about citizenship, green cards, asylum, VAWA, and family immigration from Seattle attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. Latest USCIS policy updates, step-by-step guides, Know Your Rights resources, and immigration news in English and Spanish. 20+ years of experience helping Seattle's immigrant community.
Essential Immigration Resources
Know Your Rights:
A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE
Master
the 2025 USCIS Civics Test
Cómo Verificar el Estatus de una Solicitud o Caso de Inmigración Pendiente
Applying for Lawful Permanent Resident Status (the “Green Card”) through the Consulate
In our last blog post, we discussed applying for lawful permanent resident status (the “green card”) in the United States after having an approved immigration visa petition from a family member. However, many people will need to return to their country of citizenship and apply for status through the consulate. Our immigration attorneys address some common questions we receive about this process.
Consular processing for immediate relatives
If you or your immediate relative entered the U.S. originally without a visa or your immediate relative is outside the U.S., you or they can obtain permanent resident status through “consular processing.” The U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative must first file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (See prior blog post). Once that petition is approved, the immediate relative will be able to apply for residency through a U.S. consulate abroad.