Family Immigration Attorney Cicero
Our family immigration practice is designed to keep families together. We do everything we can, as provided under the law, to make sure U.S. citizens and permanent residents are united with their families living outside the U.S. or to make sure those living in the U.S. have their immigration status in order. Our experienced family immigration attorneys know how frustrating going through the immigration process can be. We take the stress off our clients in the Chicago area by seamlessly and successfully handling their family immigration cases.
The Family Immigration Process
- Immigrant Petition. To start the family immigration process, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) must first file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition asks USCIS to approve and issue a green card to the relative. Not all relatives qualify to obtain a family-based green card. Those who do typically are spouses, children, siblings, and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders, provided other requirements are also met.
- Waiting Time. Because of annual limitations on how many green cards can be given each year which have created a backlog, applicants for green cards must wait a long time to get their green card. The exceptions are “immediate relatives,” who are defined to be close relatives of U.S. citizens and specifically spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens. These relatives don’t have to wait for a visa to be available. Their green cards only take the normal processing time to get a green card. The rest of the relatives who are categorized as preference family members must wait a long time, sometimes years, to get their green cards.
- Immigrant Visa Adjudication. This is the third and final step in immigrant visa processing. Once the USCIS has approved the immigrant visa petition and a visa is available in the category under which the petition is filed, the beneficiary of the petition can either apply for the green card at a U.S. consulate or can apply to adjust their status with USCIS if they are in the U.S. The green card application is typically filed alongside the immigrant petition, but it can also be separately filed after the petition is approved.
Why Us?
Going through the immigration process can be frustrating, and many find it stressful. To have peace of mind and reduce or eliminate stress, you need the services of an experienced family immigration lawyer such as we have at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan. There are many things we can do for you to make sure your case is successful, and these include:
- Preparing and filing the right paperwork with the right office
- Making a compelling case for approval of your case
- Following up with USCIS to make sure your case is timely processed.
Speak with a Family Immigration Attorney in Cicero Today
If you are in the Cicero area and need the services of a family immigration lawyer, contact us today and schedule an appointment to learn how we can help you.