Prince William County Family Immigration Lawyer
Each year, countless individuals from other countries seek to unite with their spouses, parents, children, and relatives in the United States. Doing this is easier said than done, but the federal government does allow permanent residents and citizens of the United States to sponsor (petition) family members and partners seeking Green Cards (immigrant visas). If you are currently considering sponsoring a family member or relative, you should hire a Prince William County family immigration lawyer to help you with the process. Contact a skilled immigration attorney to begin discussing your potential legal options.
Sponsor Requirements and Family Ties
Most people consider their extended family members to be a part of their family. Cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles are an important part of the lives of most people, but from an immigration perspective, they are not a top priority.
In the United States, immigration officials allow U.S. citizens to sponsor the following persons:
- Spouse or children (under the age of 21)
- Parents (if the sponsor is at least 21)
- Married or unmarried children over 21 and their children
- Siblings and their spouses and children (if the sponsor is at least 21)
If a person is a permanent resident of the United States, they may sponsor:
- Spouse
- Any (unmarried) child under 21 years of age
- Any unmarried child over the age of 21
As evidenced in the rules listed above, heavy emphasis is placed on immediate family ties, but it is possible for people to sponsor their extended family members (siblings and adult children) – they will just have a lower priority and longer wait times to receive a Green Card as a result. Someone interested in becoming a sponsor to extended family members should contact a seasoned Prince William County family immigration lawyer.
Obtaining a Green Card (Immigrant Visa)
As mentioned above, immediate family members (spouses and children under 21 of U.S. citizens) receive the highest priority, which means they have the shortest waiting period in terms of application processing. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives an incalculable number of visa applications each year, and these applications greatly outnumber the number of visas available. This means the U.S. government will have to carefully choose the individuals it wants to allow inside the country. If a visa application is approved, a consular officer will issue the visa allowing the family member to enter the United States. In some cases, such as those where birth certificates or other forms of identification have been destroyed or lost, the government may ask for a genetic test to prove a person is actually related to a sponsor.
Seeking Out Legal Assistance
Many people do not know they can hire a lawyer to assist them with their immigration issues. A Prince William County family immigration lawyer may be able to provide individuals with the knowledge and guidance they need to successfully bring their family members to the United States.
Family immigration attorneys have a strong understanding of immigration laws and the visa application process, and they can even track an application after it is accepted by the government. If the government asks for additional information or documents, a lawyer can inform their client and intervene on their behalf.
Hire a Prince William County Family Immigration Attorney
Hiring a family immigration attorney is a big deal but doing so can make the visa application process significantly easier for you and your loved ones. Immigration laws can be complicated, but by working with the right lawyer, you can greatly reduce your stress and speed up the process by avoiding unnecessary delays. Get in touch with a Prince William County family immigration lawyer today to learn more.