Lighthouse Point, FL Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Lighthouse Point, FL, and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Lighthouse Point, FL can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Lighthouse Point, FL Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Lighthouse Point, FL family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available based on their application date and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which all have individual annual caps. First Preference, or F1, for example is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Lighthouse Point, FL applicants often wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Lighthouse Point, FL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Lighthouse Point, FL can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Lighthouse Point, FL immigration lawyers can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Lighthouse Point, FL Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lighthouse Point, FL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.