According to the Migration Policy Institute, 42.4 million immigrants were living in the United States in 2014. Furthermore, 1,016,518 foreign nationals became lawful permanent residents (LPRs) that same year, and of those more than one million LPRs, 41 percent were immediate family members of current U.S. citizens.
For many individuals, family is of the utmost importance. Because of this, those who migrate to the United States oftentimes try and obtain U.S. citizenship for their family members as well. However, because of the complexity of the immigration process, it can take months or even years for a family to be reunited. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, our Northbrook, IL family-based immigration lawyers have been reuniting families for over 40 years. Armed with knowledge and experience, we are equipped to help families from across the globe shorten the immigration process, and ensure that they are reunited as soon as possible. Contact our Northbrook, IL family-based immigration law firm to consult with our legal team about your family-based immigration needs.
The immigration process is significantly easier for an individual when they have a family member who is already a legal residence of the United States in that it does not require the migrating individual to meet all of the stringent qualifications of a non-family immigrant. The only qualifications that they must meet are relationship based. For instance, an individual may qualify for a green card through a family member if they fall into one of three categories:
An immediate relative has the greatest priority. Additionally, the U.S. government does not regulate how many green cards it grants to immediate family members, unlike with non-family members and other qualifying relatives. An immediate family member includes:
While immediate family members are at the top of the priority list for family-based green cards, preference relatives are also given high priority. Preference relatives are categorized into four groups:
If an individual in one of the four preference categories has a spouse or child whom they would like to accompany with them to the United States, they may also be included in the family-based immigration process as a “derivative beneficiary.”
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, our Northbrook, IL family-based immigration lawyers want to help you and your family members reunite as permanent residents of the United States. However, we understand that the immigration process can be long and complex, even with family-based benefits. With over 40 years of experience in helping individuals and families navigate U.S. immigration law, our Northbrook, IL immigration attorneys are well equipped to help you and your family members tackle your complicated immigration needs in a timely fashion. To speak with a legal representative regarding your Northbrook, IL family-based immigration needs, contact the law offices of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC at 312-332-2550, or fill out our online contact form, to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney today.