Family Immigration Attorneys Elgin

Family Immigration Attorneys Elgin

Most people in the Elgin area would like to keep their family members as close to them as possible, so it becomes important when a family member lives in another country but desires to join the family in the United States. When you need assistance helping a family member with immigration proceedings, you will want to work with the family immigration attorneys in Elgin at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C.

Immigration laws are complex, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be a difficult agency to navigate for anybody not familiar with the immigration process. People have all sorts of valid reasons for wanting to bring a family member to the United States, but you may need help to accomplish your goals. 

Types of Family Immigration Cases

The most powerful family visas are the ones granting instant entry to immediate relatives of United States citizens. Immediate relative visas are beneficial because the number of immigrants in such categories is not limited each fiscal year, and visas available in these cases can include:

• K-1 nonimmigrant visas or fiancé(e) visas
• K-2 visas for children of a K-1 fiancé(e) visa holder
• K-3 visas for foreign spouses
• K-4 visas for children of foreign spouses

Anybody who is an immediate relative of a United States citizen can become a lawful permanent resident or get a green card based on their family relationship if they meet certain eligibility requirements. A person is an immediate relative if they are either the spouse of a United States citizen, the unmarried child United States citizen who is under 21 years of age, or the parent of a United States citizen who is 21 years of age or older.

All other family members will have to wait in line for a visa to enter and live in the United States. When a family member is not a spouse or a minor child, they have to submit to the USCIS preference system. 

There are a limited number of family visas every year for people who do not fit into the immediate relative category. The higher the level of preference that a person is able to achieve, the better their chances of receiving a visa. 

There are five levels of preference:

• First preference (F1) — Applies to unmarried sons and daughters 21 years of age and older of United States citizens.
• Second preference (F2A) — Applies to spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of lawful permanent residents.
• Second preference (F2B) — Applies to unmarried sons and daughters 21 years of age and older of lawful permanent residents;
• Third preference (F3) — Applies to married sons and daughters of United States citizens.
• Fourth preference (F4) — Applies to brothers and sisters of United States citizens when United States citizens are 21 years of age and older.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Consultation with Family Immigration Attorneys in Elgin

Did you need help bringing your family member to the United States from another country? You will want to get in touch with Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. as soon as possible.

Our firm has been handling immigration cases since 1975. Call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation so we can review your case and discuss all of your legal options.