Talk To A Chicago Immigration Attorney
312-332-2550
Who Qualifies for Family-Based Immigration?
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
U.S. immigration law allows U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) to petition for certain family members to be given green cards and come and live with them in the United States or to have their status changed to a green card if they are already living in the United States. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we help clients in the Chicago area to petition for their relatives to obtain green cards based on their familial relationship with a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.
However, not all family members qualify to obtain a green card based on the familial relationship. The law only recognizes certain family relationships as the only ones the qualifying member is eligible to obtain a green card based on that familial relationship.
The law also separates into two groups of these qualifying family relationships: “immediate relatives” and “preference” cases.
Immediate Relatives
A U.S. citizen who is 21 and older can file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to have green card status given to their spouse, parent, and unmarried children under 21 years. These family members are referred to as “immediate relatives” for all immigration law purposes. This is a much-desired category to migrate under because there is no limitation as to how many people can immigrate under this category, unlike all other categories which have limits. It is an important distinction because those in all other categories have backlogs which means their cases sometimes take years to complete, but an immediate relative has no waiting time other than normal processing time, which takes a few months to a year at most.
Preference Relatives
If one is not an immediate relative, then they are likely to be a “preference” relative, which the law defines to be the unmarried adult daughter or son of a US citizen, the spouse of a Green Card holder, unmarried children of permanent residents, and married sons and daughters of US citizens. This category of family-based immigration is subject to an annual quota – meaning there is a limit to how many people can immigrate to the U.S. under this category. This limit has caused a backlog so, in some cases, it takes several years before a visa is available for those affected.
Just showing that these relationships exist is not enough for one to obtain a green card based on that relationship. Rather, the law requires that both the U.S. citizen or Green Card holder and the relative they are sponsoring have a bona fide familial relationship beyond just having a legal document saying they are. For example, in petitioning for a spouse, the U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident must show with evidence that the marriage is real and not a sham, which often is the presumption when people petition for their foreign-born spouses. At Kriezelman Burton, we work with our clients sponsoring their relatives to make sure the proper documentation is filed and presented in a manner that makes it easy for the USCIS examiner to approve the case.
Consult with a Chicago Family-Based Immigration Attorney
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the Chicago area and would like to sponsor a relative, contact us today for a confidential consultation. We are based in Chicago but also handle cases in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.
Lo que dicen nuestras clientas
Calificación de 5 estrellas | Basado en 200+ reseñas de clientes satisfechos en Google
Estoy muy complacida con este bufete son muy bueno en lo que hacen,gracias a Maya flores por su trabajo desde el primer día de mi proceso estuvo pendiente y nos dio un tiempo estimado
We had the chance to work with Maya Flores during the final stage of our employment-based green card process, and we are so thankful we did. Even though our case was already far along when she stepped in, she took full ownership right away. She carefully reviewed everything, prepared the documentation, suggested the right immigration forms, and made sure we felt ready. She was with us during the interview and…
I highly recommend Attorney Mathew Kriezelman and Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. I had an outstanding experience working with their office. I petitioned for my parents, and the firm guided them through the entire adjustment of status process. From the very beginning, Attorney Mathew Kriezelman and Paralegal Silvia Dimayuga were professional, knowledgeable, and exceptionally supportive. They clearly explained each step, ensured all documentation was properly prepared, and promptly answered every…
Navigating the immigration system is incredibly stressful, but Justin Burton made the process seamless. They were patient with all my questions and explained every step of the legal process in a way I could easily understand. Their attention to detail is unmatched, and their staff is professional and kind. Highly recommended!
I cannot thank Justin Burton enough for their incredible work on my case. From our very first consultation, I felt a sense of relief knowing I was in expert hands. They were meticulous with the paperwork, always kept me updated, and ultimately helped me achieve a successful outcome. If you are looking for an immigration lawyer who truly cares about their clients, look no further.
Outstanding Immigration Attorney – Worth Every Penny I cannot recommend Justin highly enough as an immigration attorney. My case was extremely difficult and complex, and from the very beginning, Justin demonstrated an exceptional level of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication. He took the time to fully understand every detail of my situation and explained the entire legal process clearly and honestly, which gave me confidence during a very stressful time. While…
I highly recommend this law firm! They are always honest right from the initial consultation. They don't take cases just for the money. My family member was a victim of an ICE raid in Michigan on November 17th and returned home on December 30th. It could have been faster, but everything happened during the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). Maya Flores was recommended by another lawyer, and the entire team has…
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your help and professionalism throughout my green card and citizenship process. Your guidance has made everything much easier to understand, and I truly appreciate how patient, thorough, and responsive you’ve been with every question I had. I’m very grateful for your support and the quality of your work. I would gladly recommend your services to anyone who needs…
My experience with Kriezelman Burton & Associates was excellent. We worked with Jennifer Peyton, for removal proceedings due to being detained by ICE. Jennifer worked diligently and was responsive. Jennifer was supportive throughout the whole process and showed compassion. With the help of Jennifer and the help of the firm, we were able to get the removal proceedings stopped and received permanent residency. I am so thankful for Kriezelman Burton…
The Best human being to have your back when you really need it!!! Mr Burton's professionalism and sharpness saved my family....!!!!!
¡Programe una consulta!
Publicidad de abogados. Esta información está diseñada solo para información general. La información presentada no debe interpretarse como asesoramiento legal formal ni como la formación de una relación abogado/cliente. Los resultados y testimonios anteriores no son garantía ni predicción del resultado de su caso, y no deben interpretarse como tales. Los resultados pasados no pueden garantizar el rendimiento futuro. Cualquier resultado en un solo caso no pretende crear una expectativa de resultados similares en asuntos futuros porque cada caso involucra muchos factores diferentes, por lo tanto, los resultados diferirán caso por caso. Al proporcionar información de contacto, los usuarios reconocen y dan su consentimiento explícito para ser contactados a través de los métodos de comunicación proporcionados, incluido SMS. Se pueden aplicar tarifas por mensajes y datos. La frecuencia de los mensajes puede variar. Responda STOP para optar por no participar.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy