Jeanerette, LA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Jeanerette, LA and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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. Family green card attorneys in Jeanerette, LA can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Jeanerette, LA?
First, the Jeanerette, LA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many Jeanerette, LA applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Jeanerette, LA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your designated preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Jeanerette, LA family immigration lawyer can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Jeanerette, Louisiana immigration attorney can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Jeanerette, LA: 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 Jeanerette, LA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.