Family Immigration Law

Family immigration law is a branch of immigration law that governs who can immigrate to the U.S., including family members, grandparents, parents, siblings, and children. It includes applications for Permanent Residence, Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, and Chain migration.

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

If you’re a foreign national residing in the United States, you may be eligible for an adjustment of status. This allows you to change your nonimmigrant status to a permanent one without having to return home.

There are several types of people who are eligible for an adjustment of status. For instance, you may qualify if you have lived in the United States for more than a year or if you are married to a US citizen. You may also qualify if you have been granted a special immigrant status, if you have a child or spouse who is already living in the United States, or if you’ve been paroled into the country.

You must decide which form of adjustment of status is right for you. You can either file a family-based immigrant petition, which is a petition filed on your behalf by your immediate relative. Or, you can apply for a green card, which is a process in which you are granted lawful permanent resident status.

The best way to find out which form of adjustment of status is right for your situation is to discuss your options with an immigration attorney. An immigration attorney can guide you through the process and ensure that you meet the necessary requirements.

It’s not always easy to determine what the requirements are for an adjustment of status. There are various types of individuals who can adjust their status, including asylees, refugees, parolees, and H-1B workers. Each group has different rules, such as the length of time you must have lived in the U.S. and the number of children you must have.

Generally, you have to have a good reason for applying for an adjustment of status. Aside from being eligible for a green card, you must be able to establish that you have been living in the US for the longest time.

While you’re at it, you’ll want to be sure that you fill out the right form. You might not be aware that some forms are not designed for typed signatures, or that there are certain questions you might be required to answer that you won’t know if you’ve answered correctly.

Consular Processing

Consular processing is the process of applying for an immigrant visa overseas. This type of processing is used when an alien wants to enter the United States to become a permanent resident. It involves several government agencies and takes between five and 13 months on average.

Unlike other immigration processes, consular processing is the only route for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States. If an alien wishes to apply for an immigrant visa in the United States, he or she will need to attend an appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Aside from the usual application process, consular processing requires a medical exam and a consular interview. Immigrants who are approved will receive a sealed envelope containing a file. The consulate officer makes the final decision on whether to grant the application or not.

While consular processing is a good way to obtain a green card, the application process is only part of the process. Applicants must also be eligible for certain immigrant categories. In the case of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which protects domestic abuse survivors, family members may petition on their behalf.

Generally, an applicant must be at least 16 years old to qualify for consular processing. Immigrants who have been arrested or detained for any reason, or who have a criminal record, are ineligible.

The benefits of consular processing are many. First, the process is quicker. Second, there is a lower risk of rejection. However, consular processing can be complicated and be difficult to navigate. An experienced immigration attorney can help.

Although most immigrants will opt for consular processing, some applicants will be left to their own devices. This is where an experienced immigration attorney can save you a lot of time and money.

While a green card is always a welcome gift, the process is no walk in the park. Immigrants who have lived in the US illegally for 180 days or more are subject to penalties. They are also barred from reentering for three years and must have a green card in order to legally enter the country.

Chain Migration

Chain Migration is a legal process in which an immigrant who has received an employment-based green card sponsor his or her spouse and children for a green card in the US. It is also known as family reunification.

Chain migration has been the primary source of low-skilled legal immigration into the United States. In the past decade, more than 9.3 million immigrants have been permanently resettled in the United States. Unlike many countries, the US does not set a cap on the number of spouses or minor children that can come to the US.

There are three main categories of family members who can immigrate to the US: parents, siblings, and children. Each year, the US accepts a certain number of immigrants in each category.

Chain migration was introduced into the United States in 1952 as a policy change. It established a priority for family reunification over other economic and national security concerns. The Immigration and Nationality Act created chain categories for adult siblings, children, and parents. This changed the U.S. immigration policy and placed the interests of family reunification above the economic and security needs of the American public.

As a result, the backlog for immigrant visas in many countries has been years long. A sibling moving to the United States on a work visa could mean a two-decade wait. During this period, some distant relatives decide to enter the country illegally.

Chain Migration has also had a negative impact on African-American, Hispanic, and American workers. It has depressed wages for comparable skilled American workers.

Some opponents of “chain migration” see the practice as a threat to the nation’s security. They believe the United States should select immigrants on a merit basis. However, supporters of the practice argue that immigrants should have families in the United States.

Chain Migration has been a hot topic of debate during the first year of the Trump administration. A recent Google Trends search shows a large uptick in the use of the term during the first year of the Trump presidency.

Critics of Chain Migration argue that this policy has been unfair to those who have a skill set or to those who have family in the United States. But Democrats also oppose any proposed restrictions on family immigration.

Requirements for Relatives to Immigrate to the U.S.

If you want to immigrate to the United States, you must first obtain a green card. You can get a Green Card by proving your relationship with a United States citizen. This type of visa is for families that have a close personal relationship with a U.S. citizen. It can be issued in a variety of forms.

Immediate relatives include parents and spouses of U.S. citizens. The average immigrant sponsors about three to four family members. However, not everyone is eligible.

Depending on the country, you may qualify for the following preference categories. In 2017, 4.7 million people applied for family preference green cards. Applicants are placed into the various preference categories based on the skills they bring with them. While the number of applicants exceeds the number of visas available, there is a substantial backlog. A wait can be as long as decades.

Family preference green cards can be a pathway to permanent residence in the U.S., if the sponsor meets certain requirements. Some of these qualifications include a financial sponsor who is willing to prove that they have enough money to support their immigrant relative. They must also have a household income that is at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

If you have a child or a stepchild, you can file a petition to sponsor them for a green card. To be considered an immediate relative, a child must be under 21 and unmarried. Alternatively, a child or stepchild can be adopted by a parent. Both the adoptive parents and the adoptive child must meet the requirements for immigration.

When a child is adopted, they must be legally adopted by a parent before they are 18. This requirement can be met if the adoptive parents exercise primary parental control over the adoptive child. Other documents must be provided in order to show that the relationship is legitimate. An affidavit from the sponsoring relative is required.

Immigrants must complete extensive background checks before being approved for an immigrant visa. Applicants must also pass health screenings. The National Visa Center holds these files until a visa becomes available.