Beth and Thomas

“The team is very nice and very responsive. They did everything they could and then continuously were updating me on what was going on, so I didn’t get stressed out, and just to remind me that they were on top of things,”

EDITED TESTIMONY:

NOTE: This testimony has been adjusted and shortened for clarity and to protect the privacy of the interviewee.

How have you been personally exposed to or interacted with the U.S. immigration system or what was your case(s) specifically?

Beth: I basically was applying for my green card on the basis of my marriage to a U.S. Citizen. It was a very complicated process because I was also going through a divorce and my authorization to be in the U.S. was with that previous marriage. So I got Passage involved because I needed my own legal representation to handle my complex case. They helped me find a new avenue to legally work and stay in the US. But then in the process I got remarried with my spouse now so then I applied for that green card or Adjustment of Status through my husband. It was a “difficult situation.”

What was your immigration experience before hiring Passage?

Beth: I had a different legal representation when I arrived here in the US and they took care of everything. I mean personally I didn’t have any issues. But when I decided to divorce and had to get a different representation for myself, that’s how I got to know Passage. I basically just researched through the net and they had good reviews so I just decided to go with them.

What made the immigration system difficult to navigate? What would you want to change about the system?

Beth: It was a long wait, like it was two years or more to finally get my green card. And we applied in 2019 which was pre-COVID and you know I just got my green card so it took more than two years. It took two and a half years.

I used to live in Singapore and it took, I don’t know, 3 weeks to get my permanent residence in Singapore so two and a half years is like I don’t know like ‘wow’ that’s a long time. But I do understand we are in unprecedented times.” I’m sure things could still be improved though.

How did Passage help in the green card application process?

Beth: Because Passage was doing most of the documentation, I did not really have any problems. Plus I’m good at keeping documents so whatever they need I provide them what they needed for supporting documents.

Also there are so many forms. Just looking at all of the forms is a lot of work. I can just imagine if I was doing it by myself, how difficult it would be to figure it out. I would have to read hundreds of pages to make sure that I get the right documents.

Passage was the big help for me. Especially the documentation part because they took care of all of the documentation. I know they had a change of attorney throughout the whole process. But they were very prompt in what needed to be submitted.

The team is very nice and very responsive. They did everything they could and then continuously were updating me on what was going on, so I didn’t get stressed out, and just to remind me that they were on top of things.

Passage was definitely a big help for me.

Would you suggest that other people hire immigration help especially if they are going through complex cases?

Beth: Yes, that was a big help especially since I was working. I mean I can imagine if I wasn’t working I would have all the time in the world to do these documents, and following up with USCIS. But since I was working full time, I didn’t really have the luxury of time to really go through the requirements. So it was helpful for someone like me who was working.

Also they were helpful in providing advice. When I was in that stage when I was in a limbo, ‘ok I’m going through divorce and there was a chance that I might lose my status if I don’t get the appropriate visa, Passage was constantly giving me advice on what my course of actions were. It was sound advice throughout the process.

What advice would you offer to people who are currently dealing with their own immigration problems or who are potentially looking to start immigration cases? What advice would you give them?

Beth: First, find someone who would represent them really well and who knows what they are doing, and I think Passage has that credibility.

Again, I just found them in the web, and I went with them not because I knew someone but it was just through the reviews. And I’m glad I did.

Secondly, be patient. It’s a very tedious process. It’s very long and you need to be very patient.

Lastly, just be prepared.