Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law (COIL) Practice Exam

What is one of the eligibility requirements for adjustment of status under INA § 245(a)?

1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen

2. The applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States

3. The applicant must have a valid student visa

4. The applicant must currently be enrolled in a school

The correct answer is: The applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States

Under INA § 245(a), one of the key eligibility requirements for adjustment of status is that the applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States. This requirement is crucial because it establishes whether the individual has gone through the proper immigration procedures to enter the country legally, which is a foundational criterion for any adjustment to lawful permanent residency. Without this inspection and admission or parole, the individual would not be qualifying to adjust their status from a temporary or non-immigrant status to that of a lawful permanent resident. The other options do not meet the stipulations set forth in INA § 245(a). While being a U.S. citizen or holding a specific type of visa may be relevant in other immigration contexts, they do not directly pertain to the criteria for adjustment of status under this particular section. Thus, the requirement of inspection and admission or parole is essential for maintaining the integrity of the adjustment of status process.