Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Sterling Heights, MI
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Sterling Heights, MI, and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Family green card attorneys in Sterling Heights, MI can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Sterling Heights, MI?
To begin, the Sterling Heights, MI family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country must wait for visas to become accessible 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 apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Sterling Heights, MI applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Sterling Heights, MI
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly 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 critical that you file as soon as you can and with complete accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Sterling Heights, MI can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Sterling Heights, Michigan immigration attorney can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Sterling Heights, MI Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Sterling Heights, MI. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.