Petersham, MA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Petersham, MA and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
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 near you in Petersham, MA can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to create and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Petersham, MA?
To start, the family member in Petersham, MA who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, which each have their own annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Petersham, MA applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Petersham, MA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and consistent effort and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Petersham, MA can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Petersham, MA can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Petersham, MA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Petersham, MA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys 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 your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.