Multilingual Staff
Family-based immigration is the most common pathway to lawful permanent residence in the United States. It allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives for green cards and visas. The process involves filing petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), meeting financial sponsorship requirements through an Affidavit of Support, and in many cases, navigating either an adjustment of status application or consular processing abroad.
The timeline and complexity of your case depend on several factors: your relationship to the beneficiary, your immigration status as the petitioner, the beneficiary’s country of origin, and whether any prior immigration violations or inadmissibility issues exist. An experienced attorney helps you anticipate problems before they arise and keeps the process moving efficiently.
Family preference visas cover a broader range of relationships but are subject to annual caps, which means demand often exceeds supply and waiting periods can stretch for years depending on the visa category and the beneficiary’s country of origin. The four preference categories are:
Understanding where your family member falls within this structure determines the realistic timeline for their case and the strategy that makes the most sense.
We represent petitioners and beneficiaries throughout Illinois on the full range of family-based immigration matters, including:
When a family member lives outside the United States, the green card process runs through a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. We coordinate the full process, from the National Visa Center submission through consular interview preparation.
Prior immigration violations, certain criminal convictions, or health-related issues can make a family member inadmissible. In many cases, a waiver provides a path forward. We evaluate eligibility and prepare applications to keep the process moving.
In most family preference categories, the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of the principal beneficiary can be included on the same petition. We identify derivative beneficiary eligibility in every case, so no family members are left behind.
Family-based immigration cases require precision. A missing document, an improperly completed form, or an undisclosed prior issue can delay a case by months or trigger a denial that could have been avoided. Our team brings more than a century of combined legal experience to every case, with multilingual staff who communicate with clients in Spanish and other languages. We serve clients across Illinois from multiple office locations and take a personalized approach to every family’s unique situation.
We also understand that the stakes in these cases are not abstract. Real families are waiting. We work with that in mind.
The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a legally binding contract in which the petitioner agrees to financially support the immigrant and ensure they do not become a public charge. USCIS requires petitioners to demonstrate income at or above 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. If the petitioner does not meet this threshold, a joint sponsor may be used.
Prior immigration violations, including unlawful presence, prior orders of removal, or misrepresentation, can create bars to admissibility. Depending on the nature and length of the violation, your family member may be required to apply for a waiver before a visa can be issued. We evaluate admissibility issues in every case and advise on the most realistic options available.
A priority date is established when the I-130 petition is filed and represents the beneficiary’s place in line for a visa number. In oversubscribed categories, applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current before they can proceed with their visa application. The State Department publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that tracks which priority dates are current.
A denial is not necessarily the end of the process. Depending on the reason for the denial, options may include filing a motion to reconsider, addressing the specific issue raised in the denial, or pursuing a waiver. We review every denial carefully and advise on the most appropriate next step.
You are not legally required to have an attorney, but family-based immigration involves complex forms, strict documentation requirements, and potential inadmissibility issues that are easy to overlook without experience. Mistakes can cause significant delays or result in denials that could have been prevented. Having knowledgeable legal representation significantly improves your chances of a smooth, successful process.
The sooner you file, the sooner your family can be together. If you are ready to start the process or have questions about your options, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
