Nashville Family Immigration Attorneys
Proudly Assisting Clients and Their Families as They Pursue Legal Immigration in Middle Tennessee
Family-based immigration allows foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States of America legally. Family-based immigration methods require that United States citizens or green card holders file final petitions and sponsor foreign citizens to come to the US in pursuit of lawful permanent residency. The different types of family immigrant visas available will depend on the citizenship or immigration status of the United States sponsor and the family relations. Eventually, if foreign citizens obtain a green card in the United States, they may be eligible to become citizens through naturalization.
Those seeking to unite family members in our country by filing petitions on behalf of foreign relatives should seek the professional legal guidance of an experienced immigration attorney. Though America prides itself on uniting families through immigration law, those laws constantly change, and the processes are not always simple or straightforward. Put simply, the United States immigration system can be complicated and overwhelming sometimes, leading some applicants and their family members to dismay or discouragement during the green card application process.
Community Law Group PLLC is a Tennessee law firm committed to guiding applicants’ families through the immigration process in hopes of uniting loved ones and reforging family bonds. At our law firm, we save lives, we unite families, and we are the voice for those who don’t have one. As your legal representatives, our immigration lawyers will pursue all legal options and assist you throughout the immigration process in hopes of helping you achieve your goals and pursue the American Dream together.
We are warriors of justice and compassionate legal advocates for clients going through the complex procedures of family immigration. We understand that, for you, this is no mere legal matter; this is about your family and your loved ones, and we will treat your case with the compassion and respect it deserves. To learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you during this challenging scenario, please contact our Nashville law office to schedule your initial consultation with our legal team today.
What is Family-Based Immigration?
Family-based immigration procedures enable green card holders and U.S. citizens to bring close family members to the United States through various legal methods. A United States citizen or lawful permanent resident will sponsor their foreign-born family member for a green card or immigrant visa or via the adjustment of status procedure. Another form of family immigration to consider is the marriage green card or fiancé visa. When you speak with the immigration attorneys of our law firm, we will help you determine the right options for you and your family.
Potential legal immigration options that may be worth consideration include the following:
- Green cards for the family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including their spouses, children, parents, and siblings
- K-1 visas, which are known more commonly as fiancé visas, allow U.S. citizens to bring their foreign fiancés to the United States to marry them within 90 days of their arrival. After marriage, the foreign-born spouse can apply for lawful permanent residence
- Some green card holders are granted a conditional two-year immigration status. Our immigration attorneys can help file to remove the conditions, thus allowing the foreign-born national to reside in the United States on a more permanent basis
- If a foreign spouse faces removal or deportation proceedings, immigration lawyers can help by filing for hardship waivers or other inadmissibility waivers
The availability of family-based green cards is sometimes subject to annual numerical limits, visa priority dates, and preference categories. Because of this, the waiting times for family-based green cards can sometimes be lengthy. The immigration process can involve several steps and procedures, including filing paperwork with the USCIS, visa processing with the national visa center, and interviews at US embassies or consulates.
What Are Different Family-Based Visas?
United States immigration law provides several avenues for family members attempting to immigrate to the United States or bring their foreign immigrant relatives to the U.S. to live with them. Depending on whether you are a green card holder or have United States citizenship, different immigrant visas may apply to your situation in family-based immigration.
Among the many types of family visas are marriage visas, K-1 fiancé visas, family preference category visas, and visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens.
The two main categories of family visas are immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas. The immigrant visa allows a foreign national to enter the U.S. permanently. Non-immigrant visas allow foreign citizens to enter the U.S. for short-term temporary stays. Those on temporary visas may be able to remove the conditions of their legal immigration status to allow them to remain in the country permanently.
Who is Eligible for a Family-Based Green Card Under U.S. Immigration Law?
Via family-based immigration, eligible family members in the U.S. can sponsor immediate relatives such as their spouse, parents, and unmarried children under 21 for family green cards. In certain circumstances, these green card opportunities may also be afforded to siblings, adult children, and the children or spouses of married adult children.
The petitioner must meet certain criteria to sponsor a family member or spouse for a family green card. First, they must either be a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident, and that determination can decide who and when they can sponsor a foreign family member. Additionally, the sponsor within the United States must provide sufficient evidence of the ability to financially support the immigrants without them becoming a burden on the state and demonstrate a close familial relationship.
Family-based immigration allows family members to reunite and stay together legally within the United States. There are many benefits to becoming a green card holder in the U.S., including the right to work and reside legally within the country. To learn more about the benefits and the eligibility criteria for family-based green cards, please contact our Middle Tennessee law office today.
How to Apply to Become a Legal Permanent Resident Through Family-Based Immigration?
Applying for a green card can be a complicated and overwhelming legal process.
Among the primary steps in the application process are the following:
- The petitioner within the United States must file Form I-130 to formally request that a family member be allowed to immigrate to the United States legally
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must approve the petition
- There must be a visa number available in the given year. If you are seeking a green card through a family preference category, you must wait for a priority date
- The foreign national family member must then submit their green card application either through a U.S. consulate or to the USCIS offices
Depending on the circumstances of the petition and the applicant, they will move forward with consular processing or an adjustment of status.
Who Are Considered Immediate Family Members?
Immigration law in the United States considers immediate family members to be the closest relatives of lawful permanent residents and those with United States citizenship.
U.S. citizens can include their spouse, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents (provided the petitioner is at least 21 years old) as immediate family members.
For green card holders, your immediate relatives are restricted to your foreign spouse and any unmarried children under age 21. Under certain circumstances, adopted children who have lived with their adoptive parents for at least two years before they turned 16 may also be considered immediate family members.
Who Are Family Preference Category Immigrants?
Family preference immigrants include the relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders who do not qualify as immediate relatives.
The F1 first preference category includes a citizen’s unmarried adult sons and daughters over 21.
The F2A second preference category includes spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 who are green card holders.
The F2B second preference category is for the unmarried adult sons and daughters of green card holders.
F3 third preference category is reserved for the married sons and daughters of United States citizens.
F4 fourth preference category is for the siblings of United States citizens, provided the citizen is at least 21 years old.
Who Can Apply for an Adjustment of Status?
Foreign nationals residing in the U.S. can potentially transition to green card holders by adjusting their status. Doing so usually involves submitting Form I-485, the document for registering legal permanent residence or altering immigration status. Compared to consular processing, those seeking an adjustment of status have the benefit of being allowed to stay within the United States as they await the results of their application.
It can take several months or up to a year to hear an answer on an adjustment of status application. Applicants and their family members are strongly encouraged to seek professional legal representation to ensure all documentation is completed correctly and submitted.
Do You Need the Legal Services of Experienced Immigration Lawyers?
Whether you are a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you should consider your options for bringing your foreign relatives to your home in Nashville, TN. However, the immigration process can be long and winding, and any small error can result in applications being denied or delayed. To ensure that you have the highest chance of success in your family-based immigration pursuits, you must seek the professional legal guidance of an experienced immigration law firm.
Highly skilled family immigration lawyers can assist you throughout the application process, help you determine eligibility, gather supporting evidence and documentation, and help you through any interviews or challenges that may await you.
Depending on your circumstances, you may have unique opportunities or potentially face unique challenges in your immigration journey. Whatever the case may be, you want legal assistance in your corner, well-versed in the ever-changing immigration laws of our country, so that you can feel assured that your legal matters are well taken care of.
Contact Our Law Firm to Discuss Your Immigration Options with Our Nashville Attorneys Today
When you hire our law firm to represent your interests in family-based immigration, you know that we will protect your rights, assist you through complex procedures, ensure timely documentation submission, communicate on your behalf with government agencies, and appeal against denials or delays in challenging or unforeseen circumstances.
Our immigration attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in various immigration practice areas. We are steadfast advocates for immigrants and their families seeking reunification within our great country. Though challenges may await, we are confident that we can assist you every step of the way.
To learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal representation, please contact our Nashville law office to schedule a case review with our attorneys today. You can reach us at 615-616-6775.
