Family Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles
Are you or your family members facing immigration challenges in Los Angeles? It’s normal to feel anxious and confused. You may wonder how to secure your future in the U.S. and avoid deportation.
Contact us today at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney. We understand the complex nature of applying for a green card through your family member. Therefore, we want to make this process as easy as possible for you.
Our legal team has years of experience in immigration law. We take care of the legal issues, so you can concentrate on your family and well-being while we work for a fair outcome.
These include preparing and submitting all the required forms and documents. We also communicate with the immigration authorities on your behalf. Additionally, our lawyers can represent you in court if needed. We work to protect your rights and interests throughout the process.
How Family Immigration Works
Family immigration is often complex and lengthy. That’s because it involves many steps and has many requirements. You often encounter various obstacles along the way, including:
- Visa availability
- Eligibility criteria
- Documentation
- Fees, interviews
- Background checks
You may also face the risk of deportation if your application is denied.
That is why you need the help of a professional family immigration lawyer in Los Angeles. At the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we handle family immigration cases.
Different Types of Family Immigration
There are two categories of family-based immigrant visas:
- Immediate Relatives: These visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen or green card holder, like a spouse, child, or parent. The number of visas available in this category is unlimited every fiscal year. The Visas include:
- IR-1: U.S. citizen’s spouse
- IR-2: U.S. citizen’s unmarried child below 21
- IR-3: Foreign orphan adopted by a U.S. citizen
- IR-4: Foreign orphan who will be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen
- IR-5: U.S. citizen’s parent above 21
- Family Preference: These visas are for specific, more distant family relationships with a U.S. citizen, such as a sibling or a married child. Lawful permanent residents can also sponsor some of their family members using this category. The number of visas available in this category is limited each fiscal year. There are four categories of family preference visas:
- F1 for unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
- F2 for spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children of LPRs
- F3 for married children of U.S. citizens
- F4 for siblings of U.S. citizens
Remember that U.S. citizens can file an immigrant visa petition for the following:
- Son or daughter
- Spouse
- Brother or sister
- Parent
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents may file an immigrant visa petition for their:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children
The type of visa you can apply for depends on your relationship with your sponsor and their status. Each visa category has different eligibility requirements, application procedures, and wait times. Check the current visa availability and priority dates on the Visa Bulletin.
Process for Family Immigration
To be eligible for a family immigrant visa (IV), a foreign citizen needs to be sponsored by an immediate relative. The sponsor should be at least 21 years of age. They can be either the following:
- U.S. citizen
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (a green-card holder)
The process for family immigration consists of the following steps:
Sponsor Filing Form I-130
Your sponsor files a Form I-130 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf. It establishes your relationship with your sponsor and also your eligibility for an immigrant visa.
Review by USCIS
USCIS reviews your petition and approves or denies it. If approved, USCIS will send your petition to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC then assigns you a case number and an invoice ID number.
Pay Fees at NVC and Submit Your Documents
NVC collects the required fees, forms, and documents from you and your sponsor. You need to pay the following fees:
- Immigrant visa fee
- Affidavit of support fee
Submit your online immigrant visa application, along with supporting documents like:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Police certificates
- Medical exams
- Photos
NVC Reviews the Application and Documents
NVC reviews your application and documents. They then schedule an interview for you at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. This is also known as consular processing. You’ll receive an appointment letter from NVC. It includes the date, time, and location of your interview.
Interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
You attend your interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You should carry the following:
- Passport
- Appointment letter
- Original documents
- Additional documents requested by the consular officer.
The officer will ask you questions regarding your application and background. Your answers help them determine whether you are eligible for an immigrant visa.
Approval
If approved, you receive an immigrant visa stamp on your passport. You also receive a sealed packet containing your immigration documents. You should not open it until you arrive at a U.S. port of entry.
Entry Into the US
Present your passport and sealed packet to the CBP officer at the port of entry. The officer will inspect your documents and admit you as a lawful permanent resident. You’ll receive your green card by mail within 45 days of your arrival in the U.S.
Cases Covered by a Family Immigration Lawyer in Los Angeles
At Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our Los Angeles immigration lawyers can help you with family-based immigration visa matters like:
- Spouse Visa. We help you prepare for the interview and deal with any issues that may arise. These include requests for evidence, notices of intent to deny, or removal proceedings.
- Parent Visa. We help you gather and submit all the required forms and documents. We also guide you through the consular processing or adjustment of status process. Our lawyers can help you deal with any complications that may occur. These include delays, denials, or waivers.
- Child Visa. We help you with any special situations that may apply to your case. These may include adoption, stepchildren, or children born out of wedlock.
- Sibling Visa. We help you cope with any challenges that may arise, such as long wait times, priority dates, or waivers.
We also handle other family visa cases like:
- Fiancé(e) visas
- Derivative visas
- Conditional residence removals
- Waivers of inadmissibility
- Naturalization and citizenship applications
Reach Out to Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today
Exploring family immigration presents an immensely rewarding path to securing a green card. Yet, it’s undeniably intricate and demanding, encompassing commitment, financial investment, and unwavering patience. The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney boasts a team of adept family immigration attorneys prepared to assist with a broad spectrum of family immigration cases. If you’re seeking guidance on United States citizenship matters, we are at your service.
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