Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Decatur, IL
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Decatur, IL and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Decatur, IL can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Decatur, IL?
To begin, the Decatur, IL family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship required for sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is not in the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Decatur, IL applicants often wait for years or even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Decatur, IL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and particular know-how. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. Decatur, IL family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in Decatur, IL can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Decatur, IL as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Decatur, IL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.