Permanent Residency without Employer Sponsorship
There are many pathways to PR that do not require employer sponsorship as well (for example: National Interest Waiver, Family-Based, EB-1A Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Refugee/Asylee, Alien Entrepreneur, etc.). These options can be pursued by the employee, on his or her own, or with the assistance of an immigration attorney at any time. Departments can offer their support for those personal petitions by writing support letters, etc. but cannot pay for filing fees, attorney fees, or allow the immigration attorney to represent the UW in any way. IFSS can offer general information about other options, but cannot provide legal advice to employees for personal legal matters.
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PR OPTIONS WITHOUT UW SPONSORSHIP
View the Green Card Eligibility Categories.
OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS
Please be aware: never sign a Form G-28. This form gives an outside attorney the ability to represent and act on the behalf of the UW for a particular petition, which is strictly prohibited by Wisconsin State Statute. See UW Legal website regarding Outside Attorneys.
If the UW sponsors a PR petition, a UW employee may choose to hire a private attorney to assist with the final step of PR (filing the I-485, aka “Adjustment of Status”). Using a private attorney is permissible at this step in the process since the I-485 is considered a personal petition. The employee must pay all filing fees and attorney fees if they choose to do so. It is not appropriate for the UW to reimburse private attorney fees.
ATTORNEY/LAWYER RESOURCES
The UW cannot provide recommendations.
AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (AILA)
WISCONSIN BAR ASSOCIATION