Family Immigration Attorneys 60137

Family Immigration Attorneys 60137

United States citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can petition under US immigration laws to have their close relatives be given green cards based on their familial relationship. At Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, we have experienced family immigration lawyers who assist clients in the 60137 area code to successfully navigate the complex U.S. immigration system whenever there is a need.

The process one goes through to obtain a family-based green card and how long it takes depends on many factors, including the category under which you file your application for a green card. There are two broad family categories under which one can apply for a green card based on family relations, and these are the “immediate relatives” and “family preference” categories.

Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

An “immediate relative” if they are related to a United States citizen in any of the following close relationships:

• Legally married spouse of a U.S. citizen
• An unmarried child of a U.S. citizen who is not over the age of 21
• A parent of a U.S. citizen if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old

If you are in any of these close relationships, then you are eligible to apply for a green card, and your application will be approved unless you are found to be ineligible to become a green card holder on other grounds, such as having a criminal history with one or more convictions that will disqualify you. However, grounds of disqualification including convictions, may have ways to have them avoided legally and our experienced family immigration lawyers know just how to get that done.

Assuming there are no disqualifications for you to get a green card or if there are and we help you overcome them, then one of the greatest benefits of applying for a green card under this immediate relative category is that your application will be processed faster than anyone who applies for a green card through any of the other family categories or other bases of applying for a green card.

Preference Family Members

If one is not an immediate relative, then the other category they may be eligible to apply for a green card is the “preference” category which encompasses close family members who fall in any of the following categories:

• First preference (F1) – grown children of U.S. citizens who are not married and over the age of 21 years 
• Second preference (F2A) – spouses and unmarried children of green card holders who are under the age of 21
• Second preference (F2B) – unmarried children of green card holders who are over the age of 21
• Third preference (F3) – married children of U.S. citizens; and
• Fourth preference (F4) – siblings of U.S. citizens if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years or older 

Consult with a Family Immigration Attorney

If you are in the 60137 area and wish to apply for a family-based green card, contact us today and schedule a consultation to confidentially discuss your circumstances and how we can help you in getting the green card.