Here are some common mistakes people make, while applying for immigration benefits, but are not aware of:
- Applying for an immigration benefit for which they are not eligible.
- Applying for something just because their friends or relatives were successful: Some people don’t realize that they don’t meet the requirements for the immigration benefit or they simply assume that they are eligible just because their friends were eligible. They fail to realize that some options available to the others may not be available to them. At the same time, they may have new options that were not available to those who applied in the past. Reading the form instructions carefully will help them avoid this mistake.
- Misrepresenting facts: This is something that is very common among those applying for immigration benefits. Some provide incorrect information while filling out their immigration forms thinking that the immigration authorities may not find it out. Some misrepresent facts assuming that the fraudulent information they provide will help them obtain the immigration benefit for which they have applied.
- Ignoring their immigration interviews and court hearings: Many don’t understand that these interviews and court hearings play a major role in their application process. They believe their cases will be approved even if they don’t turn up for the interview, which is wrong.
- Responding to requests from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) late: USCIS will send a Request for Evidence (RFE) if the agency needs additional information to process an immigration case. Many don’t know the importance of these RFEs and miss their filing deadlines. They fail to understand that this could lead to the denial of their applications.
- Sending immigration applications to the wrong USCIS office: Some applicants do not read the form instructions carefully and send their immigration forms to the wrong address. Their applications will be returned to them thereby delaying the process, if they send it to the wrong address. Only in certain cases, applications will be forwarded to the correct location.
- Filing the application without the fee: Most USCIS forms must be filed with the required form filing fee. USCIS will not process applications that are received without the right fee. Fee waivers are available for most forms. Those who require a waiver, will need to send their applications with a proper request. Some applicants assume that the USCIS will understand their inability to pay their fees and submit their applications without the fee or a fee waiver request. USCIS will not accept applications that are submitted without the required fee or a fee waiver request.
Some serious consequences that might arise as a result of making the above mistakes include inability to reunite with their family members, loss of filing fees, having to pay the costly immigration fee again, being placed in deportation proceedings, inability to re-enter the U.S. and to become a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S.
