Secure Your Family’s Future with a Rockville Immigration Attorney
Family-based immigration helps families reunite and live together in the United States. In Rockville, Maryland, many people use this process to bring their loved ones closer, whether it’s a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. The steps involved, like filing forms and choosing the right visa category, can be confusing. That’s why many families turn to a family-based immigration attorney in Rockville to make the process easier and less stressful.
For families in Rockville, the process of bringing loved ones here can feel overwhelming. There are forms to fill out, rules to follow, and often long waiting times. Having someone to guide you can make all the difference. A Rockville immigration lawyer for families can help explain the steps, handle the paperwork, and offer support. This way, families can focus on what matters most—being together again.
Quick Summary:
- U.S. citizens and green card holders can sponsor their close family members to come to the U.S. However, not everyone in the family can qualify. Eligible family members include spouses, children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. Some family members may face delays due to limits on the number of green cards available each year.
- Immediate relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents, do not have to worry about long wait times or visa limits. The process starts with the US citizen submitting Form I-130. Applicants can either go through consular processing or apply for “Adjustment of Status” if they are already in the US.
- Extended family members like grandparents or cousins cannot get a green card directly. Instead, U.S. citizens must sponsor immediate family members, who, once they become citizens, can then sponsor their parents or other relatives. This process takes time, and applicants often must wait many years due to the number of visas available.
- To get a family-based immigrant visa, the sponsor must file Form I-130, wait for USCIS approval, and then submit more paperwork to the National Visa Center (NVC). After that, the applicant will attend an interview with a consular officer. Following these steps carefully is important, and it’s helpful to work with an immigration lawyer to avoid mistakes.
What Is Family-Based Immigration?
Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and green card holders to help their family members move to the United States. It focuses on keeping families together by allowing eligible relatives to live, work, and build a life in the country. This process is an important part of U.S. immigration law, allowing families to reunite and stay connected.
Understanding Eligibility for Family-Based Green Cards
An important part of U.S. immigration law is bringing U.S. citizens and green card holders together with their family members from other countries. However, not all relatives qualify for a green card. The law clearly rules which family members are eligible and limits the number of people who can come to the U.S. each year in certain categories. This means there could be delays, and families might need to take it step by step to reunite in the U.S.
Who Qualifies as an Immediate Relative for Family-Based Immigration?
There’s no limit on the number of green cards for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, meaning they don’t have to worry about long waiting times or annual visa limits. Immediate relatives include:
- Immediate Family Members of U.S. Citizens
- Spouses: Includes widows, widowers, and same-sex couples in legal marriages.
- Unmarried Children Under 21: At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen.
- Parents: Eligible if the U.S. citizen child is over 21.
- Other Eligible Relationships
- Stepparents and Stepchildren: The step-relationship must have been established before the child turned 18.
- Adoptive Parents and Children: The adoption must have occurred before the child turned 16.
The U.S. citizen sponsor starts the process by filing Form I-130 with USCIS. After that, the immigrant submits more documents and likely goes through “consular processing” to get an immigrant visa. If the immigrant is already legally in the U.S., they can apply for “Adjustment of Status” using Form I-485 without leaving the country. In some cases, both forms can be submitted together.
How Can Other Relatives of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Immigrate?
Other family members of U.S. citizens or green card holders can also apply for a green card, but there are only a limited number available. These applicants often must wait many years based on their place in one of the preference categories:
- Family First Preference: Unmarried children of any age with at least one U.S. citizen parent.
- Family Second Preference: 2A: Spouses of green card holders and unmarried children under 21; 2B: Unmarried children over 21 of green card holders.
- Family Third Preference: Married children of any age with at least one U.S. citizen parent.
- Family Fourth Preference: Siblings of U.S. citizens who are over 21.
As with immediate relatives, the U.S. family member must file Form I-130 to start the process. After USCIS approves it, the immigrant may have to wait several years until their “priority date” becomes current before they can continue with the process.
What Are Other Ways to Bring Family Members to the U.S.?
There are other ways to bring family members to the U.S. apart from the usual green card process. Some of these options include fiancé visas, V visas, and special family reunification programs, which are available depending on certain conditions or countries.
- V-Visas: V visas were created by the LIFE Act of 2000. They let spouses and minor children of green card holders come to the U.S. if the green card application was filed before December 21, 2000.
- Fiancé Visas: The K-1 visa allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry within 90 days. Both individuals must be free to marry and have met in person within the last two years. After approval, the fiancé(e) enters the U.S., and once married, they can apply for a Green Card by filing Form I-485. The foreign spouse receives a conditional Green Card, which expires in two years, and must apply for a permanent one before it expires.
- Family Reunification Programs: There are also programs that help specific groups of people reunite with their families, such as:
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
- NACARA (Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act)
- HFRP (Haitian Family Reunification Parole)
- CAM (Central American Minors) Refugee/Parole Program
Immigration laws change often, so it’s important to stay updated on the latest rules. While the green card process is the most common way to reunite with family, there are other family sponsorship immigration Rockville options that might work for certain people. It’s important to stay informed about these different programs and changes in immigration laws to find the best way to bring family members to the U.S.
Can I Obtain a Green Card for Extended Family Members?
U.S. immigration law doesn’t directly allow green cards for extended family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. However, U.S. citizens could petition for a more immediate relative like their parents. Once those parents receive a green card and become U.S. citizens, they could petition for their parents (the citizen’s grandparents). This process requires long-term planning, as it can take several years for a green card and citizenship to be granted.
One challenge is that many visa categories have yearly limits, and the number of applicants often exceeds the number of available visas. This results in long waiting times, which can range from 5 to 25 years, depending on the visa category and the applicant’s country of origin.
What Are the Steps to Get a Family-Based Immigrant Visa?
Getting a family-based immigrant visa involves several steps that need careful attention. The process can be complicated, but completing each step correctly will increase the chances of success.
- File Form I-130: The first step is for the sponsor to file Form I-130 with USCIS. This form includes information about both the sponsor and the applicant and a filing fee.
- USCIS Approval: After USCIS approves the form, they send the case to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Submit More Paperwork: When a visa is available, the NVC will ask the sponsor to submit more documents and pay another fee to continue the process.
- Provide Required Documents: The sponsor and applicant must submit:
- Passports for all applicants
- An Affidavit of Support from the sponsor
- Two photos
- Extra documents requested by the consular officer
- Completed medical examination forms
- Attend the Interview: The final step is to interview a U.S. consular officer at the U.S. embassy in the applicant’s home country to ensure everything is in order.
A family immigration lawyer in Maryland can help complete the paperwork and assist applicants in their home countries if needed. Although the process of getting a family-based immigrant visa is long, following the steps carefully is essential for success. Working with an immigration lawyer can help make the process easier and reduce the risk of mistakes.
Why Do I Need a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Rockville?
The family-based immigration process can feel complicated with all the forms, deadlines, and rules involved. A Maryland family visa assistance can make the process smoother and improve your chances of success.
- Legal Guidance: A family-based immigration lawyer can explain the immigration laws in simple terms and advise on the best steps for your situation. They help you understand the process and make the right choices for your case.
- Proper Paperwork: Filling out immigration forms correctly is important but tricky. A lawyer ensures all forms are filled out properly and submitted on time to prevent delays.
- Avoiding Mistakes: Small mistakes can lead to big delays or even denials. With their knowledge and experience, an immigration lawyer can spot issues early and help fix them, making the process go more smoothly.
Hiring a family-based immigration lawyer in Rockville can help take the stress out of the process. Their experience and attention to detail will help you avoid mistakes and speed up the process of reuniting with your family.
Call our Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Rockville Now!
Family-based immigration in Rockville, Maryland, can be tough to understand, but with the right legal help, it doesn’t have to be so difficult. Whether you’re applying for a spouse, child, or other family member, having a Rockville immigration lawyer for families makes the process easier by helping you manage the paperwork, follow deadlines, and avoid costly errors.
At The Spencer Firm, LLC, we are here to guide you every step of the way. With years of experience in handling family-based immigration cases, our legal immigration team offers personalized legal help based on your specific needs. We’ll help you complete all forms, prepare for interviews, and meet all the requirements to make sure the process goes smoothly.
We understand how important it is to reunite with your family, and we are committed to providing the best legal services possible. If you’re ready to take the next step in bringing your loved ones to the U.S., reach out to us today. Aside from immigration cases, we can also help you with:
- Employee discrimination
- Mediations
- Business Representation, and Family Medical Leave Act
