Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Freeport, ME
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Freeport, ME and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Freeport, ME can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and create and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Freeport, ME?
First, the Freeport, ME family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, 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. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Freeport, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Freeport, ME?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and 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 vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Freeport, ME can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Freeport, Maine immigration attorney can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Freeport, ME as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Freeport, ME. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.