Hello,
I am writing to seek your advice on a matter regarding the Green Card lottery and the Adjustment of Status process for my family (for this fiscal year)
I participated in the Green Card lottery and became a winner. My family and I have been residing in the USA since 2022.
In my Green Card lottery application, I listed myself and my two children, aged 8 and 11. At the time of the lottery entry, I was not officially married to the children's father.
Both I and my children's father filled out separate applications for the lottery, each including our two children. His application did not win, but mine did.
We officially registered our marriage in 2023 after the lottery results were announced.
In 2024, I prepared the documents for i-485, listing myself as the principal applicant and including my children and my husband, whom I officially married after the lottery.
We paid the DV lottery fees for 4 persons. We did not fill out Form DS-260 since we are already in the USA.
When submitting the documents with the I-485 forms, I included a cover letter explaining the situation, stating that our marriage was officially registered in 2023 (after winning the lottery), and attached the marriage certificate.
Today, we received a letter from USCIS stating that my husband's i-485 form was denied because he does not have grounds to be included as a beneficiary under my DV lottery win. However, my case and the cases of our two children were approved without an interview.
Given that there are only 2 months left until the end of the fiscal year, I am seeking your advice on the best course of action regarding my husband's situation.
1. What steps can we take to attempt to secure a Green Card for my husband as a family member of the primary applicant who won the lottery and whose case has been approved?
2. Should we consider filing an appeal, or would it be more effective to submit a new I-485 form for husband?
3. Is there indeed no basis for including my husband, who became an official family member after the lottery win, in the Adjustment of Status application?
Below is answer from the USCIS letter for your reference:
...After reviewing the evidence, USCIS records indicate that you are ineligible for the following reason(s): An applicant adjusting under INA 245(a) based on the Diversity Visa Program as a derivative beneficiary must establish that he or she was listed on the principal beneficiary’s DV Lottery application. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) instructions for entry in the DV lottery specifically direct and require that entries must include the name, date, place of birth, and photographs of the applicant’s spouse and all children (including natural children of the principal beneficiary, legally adopted by the principal beneficiary, and stepchildren of the principal beneficiary). Listed children must be unmarried and under the age of 21 on the date of the principal beneficiary’s electronic entry, even if the principal beneficiary is no longer legally married to the child’s parent.The principal beneficiary must list the spouse and children even if they do not currently reside with and/or will not immigrate with the principal beneficiary. Failure to list any spouse and all children who are eligible will result in disqualification of the principal beneficiary and refusal of all visas in the case at the time of the visa interview. Information and instructions about the Diversity Visa program are available at the Department of State website. Select Diversity Visa Program – Entry from the listed search results.
USCIS has determined that, although you qualify as the principal beneficiary’s spouse, when the principal beneficiary submitted the DV lottery entry he or she did not include your name, biographic information, and photograph in his or her application for the DV lottery. Therefore, you are not qualified to adjust status as a DV derivative immigrant. You have provided no evidence to indicate that you are immediately entitled to an immigrant visa on any other basis. See INA 245(a). Thus, you are not qualified to adjust status.You have not established that you are eligible for adjustment under INA 245. Therefore, USCIS must deny your Form I-485. You may not appeal this decision. However, if you believe that the denial of your Form I-485 is in error, you may file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider using Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards, Anna