Houston, DE Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to become permanent residents of Houston, DE, and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Houston, DE can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and create or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Houston, DE?
First, the Houston, DE family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Houston, DE applicants to wait for many years or even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Houston, DE
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ based on where you're immigrating from and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Houston, DE family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Houston, DE can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Houston, DE: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Houston, DE. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.