I was sponsored through a job to obtain my green card in January 2001. I had already lived in the U.S. for more than five years. After entering the U.S. through the Mexico/Arizona Border. Having been born in Mexico and living in poverty with no future I left Mexico for a better life in the U.S. Unfortunately, after my case was approved by the New York State Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor it was denied by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. My employer closed his business, and my case was automatically canceled.

After my case was denied I waited for my son to turn twenty-one years old so that he could file for me to obtain my green card.

Since we now lived in Pennsylvania the U.S. Immigration Office in Pittsburgh handled my application to obtain Permanent Residence. After about a year of waiting my case was denied claiming that because I entered the U.S. without a Visa and had lived in the U.S. illegally, I could not adjust status and had to leave the U.S. When I contacted my lawyer, he referred me to Mr. Nicelli. After reviewing my documents Mr. Nicelli informed me that I did not have to leave the U.S. and that I was eligible to Adjust Status. He showed me some memorandums of law that he had on file which verified that he was right.

I put my life in his hands and prayed he was right. About one month after hiring Mr. Nicelli, he called to inform me that my case had been approved and that I would be receiving my green card in the mail. True to his word about ten days later I received my green card. I couldn't believe I was now a Permanent Resident. He knew the law that applied to me and proved the Immigration Examiner was wrong. After much stress and fear of arrest, I can finally sleep soundly. Mr. Nicelli is a man of his word, is well versed in the law, and had the willpower to fight Immigration on my behalf and win. My original lawyer had no idea how to handle my situation. Mr. Nicelli was just great, and I highly recommend him if you need help in any immigration matter.

- Jose M.