Dangerous conditions in a person’s home country can lead to him or her to seek to immigrate to the U.S., and many would understandably be interested in bringing loved ones along with them. U.S. citizens and permanent residents have the ability to petition for the entry of certain family members to this country on a family immigration visa. This program offers a valuable benefit to the U.S. sponsor and his/her foreign relative, but understanding exactly how the family visa process is structured is like traveling through a maze. Because the immigration system is so difficult to penetrate, the family immigration attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC are here to help you successfully navigate this process and get your family into this country. Give our Hammond family immigration attorneys the worry, so you can focus on preparing a new home for your loved ones.
Ideally, a person in the U.S. could sponsor any family member for admittance into this country, but the rules are much more stringent, both in terms who can come and how many visas will be issued each year. To complicate things even more, U.S. citizens and permanent residents do not receive the same benefits or abilities. U.S. citizens can ask for family visas for all immediate family members (spouses, minor children, and parents) at any time, and the request will be fully considered immediately, with no limit on the number of visas issued each year. By contrast, permanent residents, and adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens face a different road and must work through the immigration preference system, which sets a cap on the number of visas that can be issued each calendar year. One possible avenue to speed up processing is if a permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen before the foreign relative visa is approved or denied.
If the sponsor and foreign relative have the correct status and familial connection, the process starts with the U.S. sponsor filing a Petition for Alien Relative with the Department of Homeland Security. These petitions will only be accepted from sponsors who are over 21, can prove he/she can financially support the foreign relative, and hold documents that show how they are related. Applicants enter the process when a visa number is available, and at this point, are asked to provide U.S. authorities with information on their identities, financial holdings, background activities/affiliations, and medical concerns.
In conjunction with submitting the documents mentioned above, the applicant will also be required to see a designated doctor to perform a basic medical exam and screen for specific illnesses and conditions. The exam is relatively non-invasive with just a simple physical exam, bloodwork, and x-rays. Those with concerns, though, should discuss them with a family immigration attorney in advance of the appointment to learn if any issues may arise.
Once everything explored in the preceding sections is completed, an interview with at U.S. consulate will be assigned and communicated to the applicant and his/her U.S. sponsor. This meeting is mandatory and will consist of questions that look at the applicant’s previous affiliations, activities, and reasons for coming to the U.S, among other issues. Attorneys and other third-party representatives may also attend, which will increase the applicant’s chance at passing this final barrier.
If you have non-U.S. family members living abroad, you may have the ability to petition the immigration authorities for permanent resident status for certain family members. However, as with all dealings with federal immigration authorities, the process for obtaining a Green Card is complex and should be prepared and filed in conjunction with an experienced immigration law attorney as soon as possible. If you have questions about the family immigration visa program and want to give your family the best chance at success, speak with the attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. Contact the Hammond family immigration firm for a consultation.
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
I had an outstanding experience working with Brittni Rivera. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated deep expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case. Navigating immigration processes can be incredibly stressful, but Brittni made the entire journey much more manageable and transparent. She were always responsive to my questions, provided clear guidance at every step, and never made me feel like just another case. Thanks to her hard work…
Highly recommend this firm. I had the pleasure of working with Lauren McClure and she is absolutely the best. She was very helpful and walked me through every step of the process, she is patient and she got the job done. I am very grateful with her and her team for helping me with the process of my case. Thank you so much.
I have worked with Kevin Raica for my VAWA application. Let me tell you he has been AMAZING. Unlike other lawyers Kevin has always went above and beyond for me. Kevin is not in it for the money he is in it to HELP people and make a difference. He has walked me through the entire process and always answers any questions I have no matter what. This law firm…
Mr. Burton helped my mother with her case. He was always polite, clear, and always answered my questions in a professional and diligent manner. Our case ran smoothly, and we never ran into any issues. I also want to greatly thank the paralegal that also managed my case, Stephanie Nunez, she was always willing and very helpful with my mother, a genuinely good person. I will forever recommend Justin and…
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Justin Burton! He is an outstanding specialist in his field and an attorney who quite literally changed our family’s life. Mr. Burton demonstrated a highly professional approach and exceptional dedication to our case. He stands out for his extensive knowledge of immigration law and, beyond that, is a person of great integrity. I can wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Justin Burton and…
I would like to start this review with a big thank you for the immigration lawyer, Nicole Provax, who has done a successful and amazing work on my dad’s case! She was dedicated in walking us through the whole process, keeping excellent communication with us, and despite the little hurdles that came up along the way, she was able to get the case to continue progressing! I’m forever grateful of…
We had the pleasure of having Justin Burton on my parents case. From the moment we reached out, his staff was incredibly welcoming and took the time to really listen to our concerns. We never felt rushed or like just another case, Justin made sure we understood every step of the process and answered all our questions with patience and clarity. What really impressed us was how Justin and staff…
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy