Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Minden, LA
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Minden, LA and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants 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 in Minden, LA can help you determine the most fitting category of green card, reconnecting you with your family so you can build and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Minden, LA?
First, the Minden, LA family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many Minden, LA applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Minden, LA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and in-depth expertise. 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. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Minden, LA can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Minden, LA can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Minden, LA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Minden, LA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success 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 future outcomes.