There are many different ways to obtain lawful immigration status. It is important to work with an experienced immigration attorney to find the option that is best suited to your needs. With a comprehensive immigration strategy, you can save unnecessary delays and costs in the immigration process. You can also make long-term immigration plans in order to make your future immigration as secure as possible.
For years, the experienced Cicero immigration lawyers at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan have helped families throughout the Chicago area make the plans that help them stay together. Learn more about the different options for obtaining visas and green cards.
One of the most common ways to get a visa or green card is to have a family sponsor. U.S. citizens can sponsor certain close family members for immigration into the country. (Green card holders may also sponsor immigration, but only for their spouses and unmarried children.) Family sponsor immigration is limited to a very close circle of family members. It can also be limited by annual quotas, so it is important to consult with an immigration lawyer about the best strategy for sponsoring a family member. Finding the right type of visa and the right preference category can take months – or sometimes even years – off the immigration process.
Employers can also sponsor immigration in several different ways. There are visas for short-term visitors and temporary employees. Employers can also sponsor a green card for an employee on a more permanent basis. There are special categories for many different types of professions, so it is important to be sure you are applying for the right visa or green card in the most efficient way. It is also important to be sure your employer understands everything that is involved with acting as a sponsor before you commit to accepting an employment offer. Some employers are not willing or able to invest the time and expense necessary into the immigration process.
In addition to having a family member or employer act as a sponsor, you may also be able to immigrate to the U.S. on humanitarian grounds. Congress has identified several categories of immigration that require no sponsor: for example, victims of domestic violence, refugees seeking asylum, and victims of human trafficking and other specified crimes. It can be difficult to qualify for these humanitarian categories. In recent years, the political climate in the U.S. has made it more and more difficult for immigrants to enter the country – especially those claiming asylum and other humanitarian grounds for immigration.
The sooner you meet with an immigration attorney, the sooner you begin the lengthy process and secure your family’s future in the United States. Whether you need a visa, green card, or citizenship, the experienced Cicero family immigration lawyers at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible.