For people who value family connections, the Green Card process provides an opportunity for loved ones to reunite. For many, bringing parents to the United States is a promising goal, but the immigration system is challenging. A dedicated Green Card Attorney can make the process smoother, helping families come together at last.
Here, you will learn about bringing your parents to the U.S. and how a Green Card lawyer helps you overcome legal obstacles. They will guide you on the legalities involving the eligibility criteria and the intricate process of family-based immigration.
An Immigration Attorney Keeps Families Together
Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor specific relatives, including parents, for immigration to the United States. One of the most common categories is sponsoring their parents for U.S. citizens. While this offers a meaningful opportunity for reunification, the complex process can take considerable time.
Having a skilled immigration attorney can make a significant difference in the success of a family-based immigration petition. An experienced attorney can assess eligibility, ensuring you and your parents meet all requirements.
These lawyers assist with preparing and submitting essential documents, including birth certificates and financial records, ensuring the application is complete and accurate. Additionally, they monitor the case and communicate with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reducing the chances of delays or rejections.
Furthermore, they guide you on proving financial stability to support your parents and keep them updated on any changes in immigration laws. Through their skills and knowledge, immigration attorneys greatly enhance the chances of successful family reunification.
Family-Based Petition Involving Parents
Family-based petitions are the foundation of bringing your parents to the U.S. as permanent residents. Petitioners must meet specific criteria to ensure their application proceeds smoothly. Here, you will understand the steps involved and what eligibility requirements need to be fulfilled.
Eligibility Criteria For Petitioner
Green Card holders, or lawful permanent residents, are not eligible to petition for their parents. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years old to petition for a parent. They must provide proof of their citizenship through documents such as a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a passport.
Different types of relationships require specific documentation. For example, a petitioner sponsoring their father may need to provide evidence of their legal relationship. Demonstrating a clear parent-child relationship is a key aspect of the petition process.
Different Circumstances In Sponsoring The Parents
Each family situation is unique, and different circumstances can affect how you bring your parents to the States. Understanding these differences helps in navigating the appropriate legal route for successful sponsorship.
Mother & Father Lives Outside The U.S.
Sponsoring parents can vary depending on certain family dynamics. If your parents live outside the U.S., consular processing will be required. This involves working with the National Visa Center (NVC) and attending an interview at a U.S. Embassy. Your attorney helps coordinate this process and ensures your parents meet all requirements.
For those born out of wedlock, additional documentation may be needed to prove the father-child relationship. Similarly, in cases involving stepparents or adoptive parents, the petitioner must provide documentation that verifies the legal relationship. Each of these circumstances requires different strategies to ensure the petition is successful.
Father Lives Abroad, & You’re Born Out Of Wedlock
For U.S. citizens born out of wedlock, petitioning for their father can be more complex. The petitioner must provide evidence that the father-child relationship was legally established before the petitioner turned 18. This can include financial support, legal documentation, or proof of a close relationship.
In these cases, Green Card attorneys ensure the appropriate documentation is submitted, such as affidavits or other evidence to verify the relationship. This additional step ensures that the petition is legally valid and prevents delays in the approval process.
For Stepparents
Citizens can petition for stepparents, provided the marriage of biological parent and stepparent occurred before the petitioner turned 18. The stepparent must meet all legal requirements to be eligible for permanent residency. An attorney helps gather the necessary marriage certificates and other documents to prove the relationship.
Stepparent petitions can be complex due to the blended nature of the family, and attorneys must meet all legal requirements. This allows the petition to move forward without complications.
For Adoptive Parents
Adoptive parents can be petitioned for by U.S. citizens if the adoption occurred before the petitioner turned 16. In addition, the child lived with the adoptive parent for at least two years. This requirement ensures that the parent-child relationship is legally recognized under U.S. immigration law.
Attorneys help verify that the adoption meets all legal standards and provide guidance on how to proceed with the petition. They assist in gathering adoption records and legal documentation to support the petition, ensuring that everything is submitted correctly.
How To Bring Your Parents To The U.S.
Bringing parents to the U.S. requires following specific legal steps. From filing petitions to attending interviews, the process demands careful attention. Here, you will understand the steps involved and how to move forward with a successful application. Each stage is critical, and working with an attorney ensures the process is handled smoothly.
Step 1: Petition For Alien Relative (Form I-130)
The first step in bringing your parents to the U.S. is filing Form I-130, which establishes the legal parent-child relationship. This form is filed with USCIS and includes supporting documents such as the petitioner’s proof of citizenship and the parent’s birth certificate. The petition must be completed accurately to avoid delays.
Once USCIS approves Form I-130, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC processes the case and assigns a Visa number to the petition. An attorney helps ensure that all documentation is in order and that any potential issues are resolved before the case moves forward.
Step 2: National Visa Center Processing
After USCIS approves the I-130 petition, the NVC takes over and prepares the case for consular processing. The NVC requests additional documents, such as the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), which demonstrates that the petitioner can financially support their parent. This step is critical in ensuring that the petition is complete and ready for the Visa interview.
An attorney helps ensure that the Affidavit of Support is completed correctly and that all financial requirements are met. This reduces the chances of delays or denials at this stage of the process.
Step 3: Biometrics Appointment & Interview
Once the NVC processes the case, the parent must attend a biometrics appointment and interview. The biometrics appointment involves fingerprinting and collecting information for a background check. The Visa interview takes place at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, where the parent will answer questions about their relationship with the petitioner.
The attorney prepares the parent for this interview, ensuring they are familiar with the types of questions that will be asked. Proper preparation is key to passing the interview successfully and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Step 4: Await The Decision
After the interview, the Visa officer will decide whether to grant the parent’s Visa. The decision is based on the information provided during the interview and the documents submitted. If approved, the parent will receive an immigrant Visa, allowing them to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
During this waiting period, the attorney continues to monitor the case and ensure that there are no further issues. They stay in contact with USCIS and the NVC to resolve any potential delays.
Step 5: Arrival In The U.S.
Once the Visa is granted, the parent can travel to the U.S. Upon arrival, they will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who will admit them as a permanent resident. Afterward, they will receive their Green Card in the mail.
A Green Card attorney assists in preparing the parent for their entry into the U.S., ensuring they have all the necessary documentation for a smooth process. They will see to it that you do every step correctly to avoid any possible hurdles.
Strategies To Avoid Legal Hurdles
Bringing parents to the U.S. can involve legal challenges, but an immigration attorney provides strategies to overcome them. They help navigate potential issues, ensuring a smooth process. Here are some key strategies:
• Ensure Complete Documentation: Attorneys help gather and submit all required forms, preventing delays due to missing or incomplete paperwork.
• Respond to Requests for Evidence: USCIS may request additional information. Attorneys prepare and submit the necessary documents promptly, avoiding delays.
• Prepare for Consular Interviews: An attorney preps clients for interviews, ensuring they are confident and ready to answer all questions.
• Address Visa Denials or Delays: If issues arise during the process, attorneys handle Visa denials or delays by providing legal explanations and re-submitting corrected information.
These strategies highlight the importance of having legal support to avoid common mistakes and hurdles. Attorneys remain crucial throughout the process, ensuring families can reunite.
Lincoln-Goldfinch Law - Abogados de Inmigracion Advocates For Families
Lincoln-Goldfinch Law - Abogados de Inmigracion is dedicated to helping families navigate the immigration process, including bringing parents to the States as permanent residents. Our experienced team ensures you are informed about each phase of the procedure, from submitting petitions to participating in interviews.
We proactively manage each case, ensuring all forms are submitted accurately and on time. Our team uses extensive resources to address challenges that may arise during the application process. This attention to detail helps avoid unnecessary delays and keeps the case moving forward.
Our goal is to help families reunite and remain together in the U.S. We dedicate ourselves to delivering tailored services to every client, ensuring their distinct requirements are fully addressed. With Lincoln-Goldfinch Law - Abogados de Inmigracion on your side, you can trust that your family’s immigration process is in capable hands.
Summary
A Green Card attorney plays a critical role in helping U.S. citizens bring their parents to the United States. They guide families through each step of the immigration process, ensuring the required forms are submitted correctly and on time.
Lincoln-Goldfinch Law - Abogados de Inmigracion provides dedicated support to families navigating the Green Card process for their parents. Our team focuses on detailed legal strategies to ensure ideal outcomes. Trust us to guide you in simplifying the immigration process and reuniting your family in the United States.