Living in the United States is a dream for millions of immigrants, but for those who have family back home, it is also very challenging. If you have family living outside of the United States and have gained lawful permanent resident status or citizenship, you can sponsor those family members and bring them into the country. The family immigration process is a complicated one, and one mistake could hinder the chances of success for you and your loved ones. A Waukegan family immigration attorney can help you navigate the process and give your family the best chance of a positive outcome.
When sponsoring a family member to come to the United States, you are known as the petitioner, and your loved one is the beneficiary. To petition for a loved one to come to the country, you must have lawful permanent resident status or be a citizen of the United States.
The family member you want to bring into the country is known as the beneficiary. If your loved one has a spouse or children they want to bring into the country, they may qualify as derivative beneficiaries.
Relatives whom you want to bring into the United States will fall into one of two categories. The first is the immediate relative category. These individuals include your spouse, parents, and children who are not married. The Immigration and Nationality Act does not place any limit on the number of these visas issued every year.
Family members that do not fall into the immediate relative category are considered family preferences. Unlike visas for immediate relatives, there is a limited number of family-preference visas issued each year. The limited amount of visas available also means there is a backlog when processing these applications and so, it will likely take your loved one longer to secure their visa.
To sponsor a family member to enter the United States, you must first file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Within the form, you will establish that you and your loved one have a family relationship. After the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves the petition, your loved one can then apply for a green card. The time it will take for your loved one to receive their green card will vary depending on whether they are considered an immediate relative or a family preference. If your loved one is a family preference, a priority date is set, which establishes your loved one’s status in the queue for a green card.
It is difficult to be separated from your loved ones. Fortunately, immigration law in the United States allows you to bring them into the country if you are a lawful permanent resident or citizen. Sponsoring a family member comes with some challenges, though, and our Waukegan family immigration attorneys at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates can help. We will ensure your petition is filed correctly so you can reunite with your loved one as soon as possible and assist you with every step of the process. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about how we can help.
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I wanted to share my experience and say that attorney Britney Rivera is extremely competent in her work. I had heard from friends that she was a very strong lawyer, and she certainly proved to be one. She won our case in a very short time, and my family and I are incredibly grateful to her!🌹And a big thank you to her team as well!🌹🌹🌹
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
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 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy