Kalamazoo Family Immigration Lawyer

Kalamazoo Family Immigration Lawyer

Although the United States immigration system is a complex patchwork of laws and rules, every year, many thousands of people are permitted entry into this country, either temporarily or as permanent residents. However, many others are denied entry. Given that the petitioners typically will spend a great deal of time in preparing their application for entry, it is important to understand what can be done at the onset of the application in order to minimize the chance of denial. One of the best ways to avoid rejection is to work with the family immigration attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC who know how to structure a petition to give it the best chance at approval. Our Kalamazoo family immigration attorneys know what government officials want to see and can help you prepare and submit a petition that is geared for approval.

Family Visa Applications

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition to have various family members be admitted into this country. However, not all family members are eligible for a permanent resident visa using the sponsor’s status as a citizen or Green Card Holder. Generally, U.S. citizens may petition for a spouse, a child, a sibling, or a parent. A lawful permanent resident may only petition a spouse, minor children, or unmarried adult children. Non-immediate family for U.S. citizens and all family members for permanent residents are subject to a preference system that determines how many visas are annually available for each category. As a result, most family petitions take a long time to process. This process can be sped up if a permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen while waiting for approval.

Documentation

Applicants are required to present several necessary documents in the family immigrant visa process, the two most important being the petition filed by the U.S. sponsor and the application completed by the foreign family member. The U.S. sponsor is required to be at least 21 years old, establish a direct familial connection to the applicant, and show proof that he/she can financially sustain the family member when they arrive. Additionally, supplementary documentation must also be filed in support of their visa applications, primarily to prove the connection of the applicant to the citizen/resident. Failure to submit these documents in support of a family visa application will greatly increase the chance that the visa application will get rejected. Applicants are expected to produce a variety of documents proving their identification, general background, financial means to support themselves, and medical information.

Health Exams

In addition, all applicants must pass a health exam. Specific diseases or conditions, such as tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and HIV, may be cause for rejection, and concerns over possible health problems should be discussed with a family immigration attorney.

Going to the U.S. Consulate

Attending a scheduled interview with the U.S. consulate is the last step before visa approval, and should be treated with the utmost seriousness. The official will be looking for reasons to potentially deny the application, so being prepared is crucial. The U.S. sponsor, attorneys, and other representatives may attend and can provide support and assistance to increase chances of approval.

Contact a Family Immigration Attorney

The time and energy spent in preparing and filing a family visa application is great, and the potential of having the application rejected can make many cringe. If you have questions about a family visa application and want to give your family the best chance at success, speak with the attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. Do not attempt to navigate this process alone. Rather, contact the Kalamazoo family immigration firm for a consultation.