Family Immigration Is About Who You Know
Gaining legal permanent residence, or a “green card,” can be easier if you know the right people. Family immigration is the area of Immigration of law that deals most with this. In fact, if you or someone in your family is already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you’ve potentially cleared one of the main hurdles to establishing sponsorship for permanent residency.
A permanent resident card is your legal status, work eligibility, and travel card all rolled into one. With a permanent residence card, you are entitled to almost all of the same benefits as a U.S. citizen. And, if you maintain your permanent resident status long enough, you can apply for full U.S. citizenship.
Permanent Residence
In Loveland, Greeley, Vail, and Northern Colorado, with our Family Immigration Law services, you can quickly qualify for a permanent resident card if you are sponsored by someone who is considered an “immediate relative.” Likewise, if you are already a permanent resident or U.S. citizen, you can sponsor an immediate relative more quickly. Our family immigration services can help you understand how.
An immediate relative is one of the following:
- Spouse of U.S. citizen
- Unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen
- Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen
- Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen
- Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years of age
No Waiting Period If You Qualify
There is a longer wait for permanent residence, subject to a priority date issued by the U.S. Department of State, if you or the person you want to sponsor falls into these categories:
- Unmarried son or daughter (age 21 and over) of U.S. citizen, and their minor children
- Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of legal permanent residents
- Married son or daughter (age 21 and over) of U.S. citizen, including their spouses and minor children
- Brother or sister of U.S. citizen, including their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years of age
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.
Waivers
If you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and are married to someone undocumented or have an undocumented child, contact us. We specialize in waivers filed in overseas office: the I-601 and I-212; and the new stateside provisional waiver: the I-601A. However, just because your loved ones are here undocumented doesn’t mean they need a waiver, call us for a consultation on whether your family members needs one.
Be careful where you get your Information
Everyone seems to have news regarding family immigration, whether they are family, friends, or notarios*, but it’s always safer to get your information from an immigration attorney. Schedule an appointment with us today even if it’s just for information. Family Immigration law is our focus, and we are good at it.