Family Immigration

We understand how important it is to be together with your family. U.S. immigration laws allow certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) to get a “green card” based on specific family relationships. We find, however, that people have many misconceptions regarding the process of petitioning for your relative, applying for a family-based “green card”, etc. We want to make sure that you avoid mistakes in this process, which mistakes could be very costly. And, as we have done so for hundreds of our clients from all parts of the world, we would like to assist you with keeping your family together.

If you are the spouse, unmarried child (under 21 years of age) or parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older), you are eligible to be qualified as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen and, if you meet certain eligibility requirements, you can become a lawful permanent resident in the United States (i.e., to get a “green card”). The number of immigrants as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens is not limited each fiscal year.

If you are not an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen, you may still be eligible to become a permanent resident in the United States if you fall within one of the following family “preference immigrant” categories:

• unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years of age and older, of U.S. citizens (first preference – F1);
• spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents (second preference – F2A);
• unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents (second preference – F2B);
• married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (third preference – F3);
• brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older) (fourth preference – F4).

The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year. 

Regardless of whether you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen or are in one of the “preference categories”, you will need to go either through the process of “adjustment of status” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (if you are in the United States and eligible for adjustment of status) or through consular processing overseas in order to become a lawful permanent resident.

We will be happy to represent you and your family member during the process of adjustment of status or consular processing. Doing everything right from the very beginning can expedite the whole process, save you time and money, and help you avoid costly mistakes.