Family-Based Immigration: Bringing Loved Ones Home.

Immediate relatives.

Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives. There is no annual cap on these visas, so processing time is governed largely by USCIS and consular schedules rather than visa availability.

Preference categories.

F-1 (unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens), F-2A (spouses and minor children of LPRs), F-2B (unmarried adult sons and daughters of LPRs), F-3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens), and F-4 (siblings of U.S. citizens) are subject to annual numerical limits and per-country caps. Wait times can be many years, particularly for petitioners from Mexico, the Philippines, India, and China.

Adjustment versus consular processing.

If the beneficiary is in the United States and otherwise eligible, the case may proceed through adjustment of status. If the beneficiary is abroad, the case proceeds through consular processing at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country.

Inadmissibility and waivers.

Family-based applicants must clear the grounds of inadmissibility. Common issues include unlawful presence, prior misrepresentation, certain criminal convictions, and public charge concerns. Where waivers are available, the firm prepares I-601 and I-601A applications with the supporting evidence required to establish extreme hardship to qualifying relatives.

VAWA self-petitions.

Spouses and children of abusive U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act, without the abuser's involvement. The firm handles VAWA cases with full confidentiality and trauma-aware preparation.