Wheeling Family Based Immigration Attorneys

Family-Based Immigration Attorneys Wheeling Serving Immigrants for Over 40 Years

America is the land of the free, the home of opportunity, and a place where dreams can come true. Because of this, individuals from all over the world spend their entire lives trying to obtain citizenship so that they may build a better life for their families within our country’s borders. Though the immigration process is notoriously complex and convoluted, those who want to migrate here badly enough will dedicate months or even years to the process.

However, once an individual gets here, they find it difficult to be without their family members. Unfortunately, because of the complex nature of the immigration application process, it could take years or even decades for an entire family to be reunited. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, our Wheeling, IL family-based immigration lawyers have over 40 years of experience in helping families from all over the world navigate the United State’s immigration process. Thanks to all those years of experience, we are equipped to help you expedite the process, and ensure that you and your family are together, here in the United States, as soon as possible. Contact our Wheeling, IL family-based immigration law firm to consult with our legal team about what you need to do to help your family obtain citizenship in the United States.

Eligibility Requirements for Family-Based Green Cards

Because the United States is only allowed to admit a certain number of immigrants each year, the government has created a priority list of family relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents that are able to use a family member’s citizenship status to gain permanent citizenship status of their own. This priority list is classified into two categories: “immediate relatives of U.S. citizens” and “family preference relatives.” There is no limitation on the number of immediate relatives – including spouses, children, parents, stepchildren, and adopted children/parents – that an individual is allowed to petition for; however, potential beneficiaries of family-based green card petitions are subject to annual quotas according to the country from which they originate. Depending on the country of origin, this could make for a very long wait time to get an entire family over into the U.S.

The “family preference” category is subcategorized into four sections. They are as follows:

• First Preference (F1): This category is reserved for the unmarried sons and daughters, regardless of age, of U.S. citizens;
• Second Preference (F2): Spouses – both of same sex and of opposite sex – minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters at least 21 years of age or older of permanent residents are given second preference;
• Third Preference (F3): This category is reserved for the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older, their spouses, and their minor children; and
• Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, their spouses, and their minor children are given fourth and final preference. This category also includes stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adoptive siblings.

Family Members Ineligible for Family-Based Immigration Benefits

While the United States government is understanding of the need for a family unit, there is only so much leniency they can grant family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Because of this, non-immediate and non-preference relatives must either navigate the entire immigration process on their own from the very beginning, or live apart from their family members.

Family members that are ineligible for a family-based green card petition include:

• Grandparents;
• Cousins;
• Aunts;
• Uncles;
• In-laws;
• Nieces;
• Nephews; and
• Other members of the extended family.

Consult with One of Our Wheeling, IL Family-Based Immigration Lawyers

At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, our Wheeling, IL family-based immigration lawyers have over 40 years of experience with immigration law, including family-based immigration. While family-based immigration is significantly easier to accomplish than the typical immigration process, many individuals find that they still need the assistance of a Wheeling, IL immigration attorney. To speak with a legal representative regarding your Wheeling, 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.