Family Immigration Lawyer in Portland
At Ginsburg & Perez, we help individuals and families navigate the complex US immigration system to bring loved ones together legally. Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, family immigration lawyer Danielle Perez is on your side, working to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Family immigration laws are detailed and constantly changing, so working with a family immigration attorney can prevent costly mistakes and delays.
Types of Family Immigration Visas
A family immigration visa is a type of US visa that allows foreign nationals to immigrate to the United States based on their family relationship with a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. It’s designed to keep families together by allowing close relatives to live permanently in the US.
There are two main categories of family immigration visas: Immediate Relative Visas and Family Preference Visas. To apply, the US citizen or green card holder must file a petition to prove the family relationship. Once approved, the relative can travel to the US and apply for a green card to become a permanent resident.
The types of family immigration visas include:
Immediate Relative visas: These visas are for close family members of US citizens, including spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, parents (if the US citizen is at least 21 years old), and orphaned children being adopted. There are no annual limits for immediate relative visas, which means there are no waiting lists once approved.
Family Preference visas: These visas are for more distant family relationships with US citizens and green card holders. Family Preference visas have annual caps, so wait times can be long. They include:
F1: Family First Preference visas are for unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 or older) of US citizens, and their minor children, if any.
F2: Family Second Preference visas are for spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents.
F3: Family Third Preference visas are for married sons and daughters of US citizens, plus their spouses and children (the US citizen must be 21 or older).
F4: Family Fourth Preference visas are for brothers and sisters of US citizens, plus their spouses and children.
In addition to family immigration visas, a family immigration attorney can help you with K visas, which are temporary, non-immigrant visas that can lead to immigration and permanent residence. These include:
K1: Also called a fiancé(e) visa, the K1 visa allows the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US and marry within 90 days of entry.
K2: This visa allows the minor child of a K1 visa holder to enter the US with their parent.
K3: The K3 visa allows the spouse of a US citizen awaiting approval of an immigrant visa to enter the US.
K4: This allows the minor child of a K3 visa holder to enter the US with their parent.
What Are the Qualifications?
To qualify for a family immigration visa, the applicant must have a legally recognized family relationship with a US citizen or lawful permanent resident who is willing to act as their sponsor. The process begins with the sponsor filing a petition (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative). The petitioner must prove the family connection through documentation, including marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption records.
Once approved, the applicant must then pass background checks and medical exams and prove that they are admissible to the US. Additionally, the sponsor has to prove that they can financially support the relative.
Eligibility depends on the type of relationship. In all cases, applicants must have a genuine, verifiable relationship with their sponsor and meet the government’s legal and financial qualifications to be approved for a family-based visa. The process can be complex, especially if there are any factors like criminal history or past immigration violations. An experienced family immigration lawyer can help you present the strongest possible case in your petition and application.
Why Choose Us
At Ginsburg & Perez, we’re passionate about reuniting families and helping the immigrant community. We’re based in Portland, but serve clients throughout the United States. Plus, we’re fluent in both English and Spanish, allowing us to serve a wide variety of clients.
As your family immigration attorney, Danielle Perez will work with you one-on-one to support you through the entire immigration process. With 17 years of legal experience, Danielle Perez understands the complexities of US law and can help make the process smoother. Contact Ginsburg & Perez today for a consultation!