Family and work cases are moving, but rules and fees changed. Start with a clean plan and the right forms. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we’ve seen how small mistakes on immigration filings can cause delays that stretch for months. With new fee schedules and updated charts tied to the Visa Bulletin, 2025 is shaping up as a year when careful planning matters more than ever.
Family petitions (I-130) vs Adjustment (I-485): who files what and when
The I-130 Petition for Alien Relative is what starts the process for most family-based cases. It’s the U.S. citizen or permanent resident asking the government to recognize the family relationship. The I-485 Adjustment of Status comes later, but only if the priority date is current under the Visa Bulletin.
In Fort Bend County, families often get tripped up trying to file both forms together, not realizing the backlog in certain preference categories. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we walk clients through whether a concurrent filing is possible or if they’ll need to wait.
Priority dates, Visa Bulletin, and why it matters
The priority date is basically your place in line. It’s set when USCIS receives the I-130 or I-140 petition. Each month, the Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows which cases can move forward. USCIS then issues its own chart saying whether applicants should use the “dates for filing” or “final action dates.”
We often pull these charts for clients right here in Sugar Land, and the difference between “current” and “backlogged” can mean waiting months—or years. Staying updated avoids wasted filings.
EAD and travel docs while you wait
While waiting for adjustment, many applicants file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole travel document. These allow you to work and travel while the green card is pending.
Processing times can shift, but in the Houston area, we’ve seen EADs arrive in four to six months lately. Advance Parole can take longer, so we warn families not to book international travel until they have the actual card in hand.
RFEs: what triggers them and how to avoid
A Request for Evidence (RFE) can add months to your case. Common triggers include missing signatures, incomplete financial documents on the Affidavit of Support, or unclear translations.
We encourage Sugar Land clients to double-check translations and include every page of financial statements—even the “blank” ones. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC, we prepare filings with the assumption that USCIS will look for any reason to send an RFE, so being thorough up front saves stress later.
Local angle: Houston USCIS Field Office interviews
Most family-based adjustment cases for Sugar Land residents are scheduled at the Houston USCIS Field Office. Traffic from Sugar Land to downtown Houston can take over an hour, so we tell clients to plan early, bring parking cash, and expect security lines.
Bilingual support matters too. Many families in Fort Bend County benefit from interpreters during the interview, especially for parents or spouses who aren’t comfortable in English. Having the right interpreter lined up shows USCIS you take the process seriously.
Your Path Forward
Immigration law in 2025 is full of moving parts—new fees, shifting Visa Bulletin charts, and stricter review of filings. Having a clean plan and the right forms makes all the difference. At The Gulley Law Firm, LLC (www.gulleylawgroup.com), we offer a 30-minute eligibility screen with a document checklist so families and employers in Sugar Land know exactly what’s needed before filing.