FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION

Family reunification is one of the central principles of U.S. immigration law. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may be able to sponsor certain family members to obtain lawful permanent residence (a green card) in the United States.

Pathfinder Immigration Experts assists individuals and families in navigating the family-based immigration process, from filing petitions to completing adjustment of status or consular processing. Our firm works closely with clients to ensure that applications are properly prepared and supported by the documentation required by U.S. immigration authorities.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor certain relatives for immigration benefits.

• spouses
• children (married or unmarried)
• parents
• brothers and sisters

• spouses
• unmarried children

Each category has specific eligibility requirements and waiting periods depending on the applicant’s relationship to the sponsor and visa availability.

Certain family members of U.S. citizens are classified as immediate relatives, meaning visas are generally available without long waiting periods.

Immediate relatives include:

• spouses of U.S. citizens
• unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens
• parents of U.S. citizens (if the petitioner is at least 21 years old)

These cases may often allow for adjustment of status within the United States if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence. Marriage-based immigration cases require careful preparation to demonstrate that the marriage is genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes.

Pathfinder Immigration Experts helps couples prepare strong applications supported by documentation demonstrating a bona fide marital relationship.

In some cases, individuals seeking a green card through a family member must complete the process through a U.S. consulate abroad. This process, known as consular processing, involves submitting documentation to the National Visa Center and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Our firm assists clients in preparing for each stage of consular processing and addressing potential issues that may arise.

Family-based immigration cases sometimes involve complications that require careful legal analysis, including:

• prior visa overstays
• unlawful presence in the United States
• prior immigration violations
• criminal history
• inadmissibility issues requiring waivers

Our firm works with clients to identify potential issues and develop strategies to address them.