Madison, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Madison, ME, and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this 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, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Madison, ME can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Madison, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Madison, ME family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is given preference classification, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Madison, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Madison, ME?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Madison, ME can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Madison, ME can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Madison, ME as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Madison, ME. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.