Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Lafayette, LA
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Lafayette, LA and all of the United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Lafayette, LA can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Lafayette, LA?
To get started, the family member located in Lafayette, LA who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States has to stand by for visas to be 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 apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example 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. It's common for Lafayette, LA applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Lafayette, LA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts 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 vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. 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 Lafayette, LA family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Lafayette, LA can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lafayette, LA
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lafayette, LA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure 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. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.