The family-based immigration process can be long and arduous. If you go through this process alone, you risk mistakes that could make it tough for you to bring a family member to the United States. Let a Lawrenceville family-based immigration lawyer review your case and help you at each stage of the process.
Barrios Virgüez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law has been recognized as Lawyers of Distinction in 2024 and earned many other accolades for our legal work. We empathize with your family’s story and help you at all levels of the immigration process. Schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney from our team today.
What Is Family-Based Immigration?
Family-based immigration refers to the process by which U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can sponsor relatives who want to relocate to the country. For example, you marry your spouse overseas. Completing the family-based immigration process allows you to bring them into the United States and have them reside with you legally.
In addition to spouses, a Lawrenceville family-based immigration attorney helps children, siblings, and other relatives of U.S. citizens or LPRs. First, your lawyer learns about your case and where you are in the family-based immigration process. If you want to begin this process or need extra help along the way, your lawyer will assist you.
If you are wondering what an immigration lawyer can do with you, meet with the team at Barrios Virgüez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law. We can answer any questions you have regarding the family-based immigration process. Contact us to get started.
What the Family-Based Immigration Legal Process Entails
Immediate relatives and family preference visas are available. An immediate relative visa is available to a spouse, child, or another close family member of a U.S. citizen. Comparatively, a family preference visa is an option for distant relatives who have a relationship with an LPR.
You can begin the immigrant visa process online or submit your initial paperwork through the mail. Complete “Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative” to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Next, USCIS can evaluate your petition, and if it is approved, you can continue with the process.
A family-based immigration lawyer in Lawrenceville understands the 12 steps of the immigrant visa process. On top of that, an immigration lawyer can speed up the process of getting a visa petition approved. Your attorney commits time and resources to the visa process and puts you in a position to achieve your desired result.
Why a Family Visa Petition Can Be Declined
Just because you file a family visa petition does not guarantee that USCIS will automatically approve it. A family-based immigration attorney in Lawrenceville can provide insights into why family visa petitions get denied. Common reasons why these petitions are rejected include:
Inaccurate Information
As you consider your options when choosing an immigration lawyer, look for an attorney who pays attention to the details. Ultimately, the information you include in your petition can dictate USCIS’s decision. Any discrepancies can raise concerns about the validity of your petition and lead to a denial.
Unlawful Presence
Your petitioned beneficiary was illegally living in the United States for more than three months and left the country. This can trigger an unlawful presence ban. In this scenario, your petitioned beneficiary will have to wait for their ban to end before they can enter the country again legally.
Criminal History
USCIS accounts for your petitioned beneficiary’s criminal records both in their home country and in the United States. It will look for crimes of moral turpitude, which are criminal acts considered to be morally reprehensible. Your attorney can explain how crimes of moral turpitude can impact your immigration case and why they could prompt a denial of a family immigrant visa petition.
Insufficient Evidence
Saying a family member deserves the right to live in the United States is inadequate. You must provide USCIS with all required documentation to support your petition. Failure to do so can result in a denial and prolong the process of bringing your family member into the country.
Receiving legal guidance and support throughout the family-based immigration visa process is critical. Your lawyer will do what is necessary to help you avoid a rejection. If, for any reason, your visa petition is declined, your attorney can find out why this happened and discuss your legal options from here.
Our Lawrenceville Family-Based Immigration Attorneys Protect the Legal Rights and Best Interests of You and Your Loved Ones
Bringing a family member to the United States is a dream come true. Yet, family-based immigration can be challenging, and it only takes one mistake during this process to keep you and your loved one apart. Work with a Lawrenceville family-based immigration lawyer, and they can guide you through this process.
Barrios Virgüez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law is a professional law firm that makes sure our clients receive the support they deserve. We have more than a decade of experience helping families and will apply what we know to your immigration case. Request a consultation with us.
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