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Preference Categories for Family Immigration
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The United States immigration process is not simple. In fact, it often takes many years to complete. Even though it’s a complex process, the U.S. is still a welcoming nation for immigrants and their families. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we understand how crucial it is to quickly and efficiently bring your loved ones to this country to be with you. It’s an honor and a privilege to have helped many families bring their loved ones to the U.S. Our Illinois family immigration lawyers have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality legal representation to immigration clients. We know firsthand how essential our services are to those seeking help with family immigration matters. We work relentlessly to bring families back together as quickly as possible.
What are Preference Categories for Family Immigration?
United States immigration laws provide for some aliens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become legal permanent residents (get a Green Card) themselves based on particular family relationships. If you are the spouse, minor child, or parent of a U.S. citizen, you should seek further info on how to apply for a Green Card. An Illinois family immigration attorney can help you with this.
Even if you don’t fit into that category, you should know that other family members are often eligible to apply for a Green Card. Here are the family “preference immigrant” categories:
- First preference (F1) – unmarried daughters and sons of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years of age
- Second preference (F2A) – Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents who are unmarried and less than 21 years of ageÂ
- Second preference (F2B) – unmarried daughters and sons who are lawful permanent residents and 21 years of age and older
- Third preference (F3) – married daughters and sons of U.S. citizens
- Fourth preference (F4) – siblings of U.S. citizens where the citizen is at least 21 years of ageÂ
Suppose you are the spouse or the unmarried child less than 21 years of age of a family-based principal applicant. In that case, you have the option to apply for a Green Card as a derivative applicant. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the necessary forms.Â
Keep in mind that a child can’t petition for their parent unless they are a minimum of 21 years of age. A parent can’t petition for a child if they are married or over the age of 21. If a couple has been married less than two years when a visa application is submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the immigrant will be given two years of “conditional residence” status.
No matter your immigration path or goals, an experienced Illinois family immigration attorney can help you navigate your plans as you work to achieve your goals.Â
Illinois Family Immigration Lawyer
Don’t let your lack of understanding or intimidation of the law keep you from being with the ones you love. Instead, reach out for legal help so you can take action on behalf of your family. If you need the professional services of an experienced and knowledgeable Illinois family immigration lawyer, contact Kriezelman Burton & Associates today for your complimentary initial consultation. We assist families with a variety of immigration issues in Chicago, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
What Our Clients Say
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My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Thank you Matthew for all your help with my case. Highly recommend
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