Family Based Immigration
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We assist clients in successfully navigating the impersonal and complex process of the U.S. immigration system. Our years of experience mean that our attorneys provide knowledgeable legal service to our clients.
Compassionate Family Immigration Legal Guidance
Family based immigration is a highly politicized area of United States law. Presidential candidates and prominent politicians regularly pledge to reform the family-based immigration process. As a consequence of this political climate, the laws and guidelines that regulate family based immigration change rapidly, which makes the immigration visa process overwhelming and daunting for people wishing to help their loved ones migrate to the U.S.
At Magnolia Immigration Law, we believe that family unity is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system. We pride ourselves on helping families reunite and stay together in the United States. Our services include green card processing for newlyweds, adults wanting to sponsor their parents or siblings, and other family relationships.
Call Magnolia Immigration Law today at (321) 558-2555 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our family based immigration attorney!
Understanding Family-Based Immigration Categories
In the United States, citizens and permanent residents (also known as Green Card holders) can submit a petition to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office or online to allow a family member to live in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident (or LPR), otherwise known as a Green Card holder. Filing a petition on behalf of a foreign national is also referred to as “sponsoring” them.
The U.S. government categorizes family members of citizens and permanent residents into two main groups: immediate relatives and family preference immigrants.
For immigration purposes, only the following groups are considered immediate relatives:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens
On the other hand, the category of family preference immigrants includes any of the following:
- F1 - Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of U.S. citizens
- F2A - Spouses and children (under 21) of permanent residents
- F2B - Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of permanent residents
- F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F4 - Siblings of U.S. citizens (so long as the U.S. citizen is over 21)
Other relatives who fall outside these two categories may still qualify for family-based visas, such as individuals engaged to U.S. citizens, their children, and surviving spouses of deceased U.S. citizens.
If you are planning to sponsor a family member to become a lawful permanent resident, it is important to know that the immigration process differs for immediate relatives and family preference immigrants. For one, there is no cap on the number of visas the U.S. government grants to immediate relatives, but there is a limit to how many they grant to family preference immigrants. The specific documentation that must be submitted also varies between each family-based immigration category.
Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of Status is the process that allows a nonimmigrant visa holder to become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). Whether a family member is eligible for Adjustment of Status is a complicated analysis that requires the aid of an experienced immigration attorney. We are here to help.
Contact Our Family Based Immigration Attorney Today
The family immigration lawyers at Magnolia Immigration Law have been practicing immigration law for over two decades. We understand the ins and outs of the visa application process and keep up with the latest developments in family immigration reform. You can rest easy knowing that we’ll use our experience and knowledge to make the family immigration process as smooth and simple as possible. Since we opened our doors, we have helped countless individuals reunite with their families by offering informed and passionate legal counsel and guidance on family based immigration.
Contact Magnolia Immigration Law today to schedule a consultation with our family based immigration lawyer!