Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Brentwood, MD
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Brentwood, MD and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
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. A family green card attorney in Brentwood, MD can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and create and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Brentwood, MD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Brentwood, MD family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, which each have their own annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Brentwood, MD applicants have to wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Brentwood, MD
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with complete accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Brentwood, MD can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Brentwood, MD can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. 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 may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Brentwood, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Brentwood, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.