Maryland Family Immigration Lawyer
Ensuring that families remain together is a longstanding value in the U.S., and various immigration policies help to keep families together. A Maryland immigration lawyer can help you figure out how you might be able to bring your family members to the U.S. so that you do not have to be apart. To learn more or discuss the legal options at your disposal, schedule a consultation with a Maryland family immigration lawyer today.
What is Family Immigration?
The U.S. allows citizens and legal permanent residents to petition for some relatives to join them in the U.S. The guidelines for family immigration are outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. A family immigration lawyer in Maryland can present more comprehensive information about the guidelines that are set in place.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (defined as spouses, parents of a petitioner who is at least 21 years old, and unmarried children who are 21 or younger) enjoy many benefits that other relatives do not. First, there is no limit to the number of immediate relatives who may come to the U.S., so there isn’t a waiting period.
Additionally, when immediate relatives enter the U.S. legally, they are exempt from various grounds of inadmissibility that other relatives are still subject to, which would otherwise preclude them from being admitted to the U.S.
Non-immediate relatives must wait in line as visas become available because the U.S. has an annual cap on the number available each year. The length of the wait varies greatly depending upon the individual’s country of origin as well as their category in the family preference system. Preferences are given as follows:
- U.S. citizens’ adult children (21 years or older) who are unmarried;
- Permanent residents’ spouses, unmarried children (under 21), unmarried adult children;
- U.S. citizens’ married children; and
- U.S. citizens’ brothers and sisters.
Services Available
We offer a wide array of services. A Maryland family immigration lawyer can help you with the following:
- Assessment of which relatives you may petition for and which category they fall under;
- Assessment of whether any inadmissibility grounds apply and if so, advice on how to address them;
- Counseling on applicable wait times;
- Guidance on the proper process to follow based upon the relative’s category; and
- Assistance with completing the required forms and submitting them to the proper agency.
Benefits of Consulting a Maryland Family Immigration Attorney
It can be difficult to figure out which categories your relatives may fit into. It can also be frustrating to figure out the wait times for non-immediate relatives, as it varies greatly based upon the country and category. Speaking to a family immigration in Maryland will not hurt your chances of getting through the process smoothly and efficiently. We will help you determine which of your relatives qualify and what categories they fall under. We make sure you know if there is a waiting period and if so, how long it will likely be.
How to Get Help
It can be stressful to be separated from loved ones. There are ways to bring relatives to the U.S., but the process can be confusing and cumbersome. You do not have to face the process alone. Let an experienced Maryland family immigration lawyer help you. We understand what our clients are going through, and we work diligently for them to advance their interests. We even offer an initial consultation.