Every day, thousands of families and individuals seek immigration benefits to come to the United States. Family sponsorship remains the most common and effective way for immigrants to obtain green cards and secure permanent residency.
It is crucial to work with a skilled and experienced family immigration lawyer”>family immigration attorney to ensure your case is managed correctly and efficiently. An expert family lawyer can save you both time and money by expertly guiding you through the complex immigration process.
Immediate Relatives
Family immigration attorneys assist relatives wishing to bring their family members to the United States through immigrant visas. Because the process involves detailed legal requirements, having a qualified attorney is essential to navigate it successfully.
There are two main categories of family-based immigration visas: immediate relatives and family preference. Both categories are available to U.S. citizens and green card holders who want to sponsor their foreign relatives.
The Immediate Relatives category allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents (if the citizen is over 21). These green cards are not subject to annual numerical limits, making them the fastest path to permanent residency in the United States.
While many family members may qualify under this category, it’s strongly recommended to consult a family immigration lawyer”>attorney before submitting your immigrant visa petition. This ensures proper handling of your case and helps prevent delays due to backlogs or processing errors.
Spouses
A family immigration lawyer “>lawyer can assist you and your spouse in obtaining lawful permanent residency (Green Card) in the United States. This can be life-changing as it legally allows you to live together and build a future in the U.S.
Whether applying through immediate family visas such as the K visa, or family preference visas like the EB-1 or EB-2 categories, proving that your relationship is genuine is essential. You must provide sufficient evidence showing your married life or partnership is legitimate and has existed for at least a year.
As an experienced family immigration lawyer”>attorney, I can help you gather and prepare all necessary documents and proofs to submit to USCIS. I also provide guidance on potential issues that could arise, such as immigration fraud concerns, ensuring your application is strong and compliant.
Children
The United States immigration system provides several pathways for children of U.S. citizens and green card holders to enter the country and pursue permanent residency or citizenship.
At LFC, the Immigration Law Unit is dedicated to assisting unaccompanied children and their families nationwide with legal proceedings. We also offer coordination of social, medical, and mental health services for minors. Our staff conduct outreach to youth in foster care to inform them about the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) provision—a part of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows eligible undocumented children to apply for green cards.
In family immigration law, a child is generally defined as an unmarried individual under the age of 21. This applies regardless of the child’s birth circumstances, including children born in or out of wedlock.
Parents
A family immigration lawyer can facilitate bringing your parents to the United States to live permanently. The application process requires specific documentation that varies based on your legal relationship with your parents.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can petition to sponsor your parents for permanent residency, allowing them to obtain green cards. Once approved, your parents can travel freely within the U.S. and enjoy many benefits of lawful permanent residence, including the ability to work legally, provided they meet certain requirements.
The green card application process for parents can be complex and lengthy, but partnering with an experienced family immigration lawyer helps avoid unnecessary delays and complications. Reach out to Kitay Law Offices online or call 888-KITAYLAW today to schedule a consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Immediate relative visas are for close family members of U.S. citizens—spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents—and are not subject to annual caps. Family preference visas cover other relatives and green card holders and typically have longer wait times due to annual limits.
Processing times vary depending on the visa category and country of origin. Immediate relatives usually have shorter wait times, often several months, whereas family preference categories can take years.
No, only U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old can sponsor their parents for permanent residency.
Evidence can include joint financial records, photos, affidavits from friends and family, lease or mortgage agreements, and other documents showing shared life and commitment.
SIJS provides a pathway to green card eligibility for undocumented children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected and meet certain criteria under the law.
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