U.S. citizens can petition for their spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents (if the citizen is 21 or older), married children of any age, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, have fewer petitioning options. They can sponsor their spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried adult children.
Family-Based
Chicago Family Immigration Attorneys
For many people, relationships with family members are among the most important aspects of their lives. As a result, many United States citizens and lawful permanent residents seek to have family members living overseas come to live and work in this country. Other U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents seek to apply for family members who are already here but may not yet have status. Fortunately, under United States immigration law, a citizen or the holder of a green card (a lawful permanent resident) may petition to have certain relatives immigrate to the United States and obtain a green card. These relatives may also later be eligible to obtain citizenship through naturalization if they meet certain requirements.
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we understand the significance of family reunification through the immigration process. We provide compassionate legal support to individuals and families navigating the challenges of immigration law. With decades of experience in this specific legal field and a proven record of success, our dedicated team is committed to leading you through every step of the process.
Who Can We Help?
No family immigration journey looks the same, and our firm understands the nuances of the law to be able to help with each one. We offer comprehensive support for:
- U.S. citizens sponsoring spouses, parents, children, or siblings for a green card.
- Lawful Permanent Residents petitioning for a spouse or unmarried child.
- Engaged couples evaluating between fiancé and marriage visas.
- Conditional residents removing residency conditions.
- Families determining eligibility for adjustment of status versus consular processing.
- Families managing the details of I-130 petitions or needing help responding to RFEs or denials.
- Families navigating overstays, removal orders, and other prior immigration complications.
Whether you are just starting your application or facing a legal setback, our attorneys are here to guide you.
Who Is Eligible for Family-Based Immigration?
The family members that are eligible for family-based immigration depend on whether you are a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident. The information below outlines which of your family members may be eligible based on your own status:
- United States Citizens – As a U.S. citizen, you may petition for your spouse, children (whether over or under 21, married or unmarried), parents, and siblings. In addition, you may petition for a specialized fiancé(e) visa in the event that you are engaged to a foreign national living abroad. In addition, some spouses and children are eligible for a K-3 or K-4 Nonimmigrant Visa while a Petition for Alien Relative for permanent residence is pending.
- Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders) – Individuals who have a green card have more limited options when it comes to family-based immigration petitions. They may file a petition for their spouse or an unmarried son or daughter of any age.
In addition to the above two categories, individuals who are in the United States in certain other categories may also be able to file a petition for their spouse and unmarried children. For example, refugees and asylees may petition for their spouses and children, and U visa applicants may submit applications for their spouses and children before or after their U visa approval. In all of these cases, there are specific rules that may or may not apply in your situation. As a result, anyone considering filing a family-based immigration petition should consult with a knowledgeable and reputable immigration attorney.
Why Trust KB&A for Your Family Immigration Case?
Decades of Immigration Experience
Since our founding in 1974, our firm has focused exclusively on immigration and nationality law. We offer your family-based case the depth of experience it deserves.
Experience With Family-Based Petitions
We use our legal experience to help you petition for a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or fiancé(e), guiding you toward the right category for your unique family situation.
Guidance Through Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing
Whether your loved one is already in the United States or waiting abroad, we can help you weigh adjustment of status versus consular processing and prepare for each step.
Acknowledging Potential Complications
We anticipate and address the issues that can slow or derail a family petition, including:
- Income and sponsorship concerns tied to affidavit of support requirements
- Documentation problems, such as missing records or inconsistent information
- Prior immigration history, including past overstays, denials, or applications
- Processing delays and priority date timing that affect when your case moves forward
- Waivers and interview preparation so your family can approach each stage with confidence
Clarity and Comprehensive Support
The family immigration process has many moving parts. We break it into manageable steps and keep you informed from your first consultation to final approval.
Contact a Chicago Family-Based Immigration Attorney Today
Family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents are often eligible to enter the country and obtain a green card or various types of visas allowing them to live and work in the U.S. The laws and regulations regarding family-based immigration are complicated, and there are ample opportunities for complications to arise during the process. Fortunately for those wishing to take advantage of family-based immigration laws, the assistance of an attorney can often help your case resolve in the way in which you desire.
For over 50 years, the attorneys of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC have provided legal counsel and represented the legal rights of people with issues related to immigration law. To schedule a consultation with an experienced and trusted immigration law attorney, call our office today at 312-332-2550. You may also reach out to us online.
FAQs About Family Immigration
Meet The Attorneys
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
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 cannot find the words to express my gratitude to Brittni Rivera! She literally saved my family. We had been waiting seven years for what she accomplished in just three weeks. I was impressed by how accessible the office is—they always answer calls very quickly. A special thank you to paralegal Nataliia Melnyk. You are my heroes. Thank you.
Thank you all, I found this group to be a great service. Thank you all, blessings to you. especially Khiabett
We are incredibly grateful for the help and support we received from this office. From the very beginning, they understood the urgency of our situation and treated our case with real care, professionalism, and speed. They were extremely responsive, clear, and compassionate throughout the entire process. They moved quickly when timing was critical, kept us informed, and helped us navigate a very stressful immigration situation with confidence. Thanks to their…
Kevin Raica and his team handled my immigration application and i can other recommend them enough. They made a stressful process very easy. They are very knowledgeable in this area and helped us at every stage from beginning to end.
Brittni Rivera She is my Attorney from 2017 Thank you so, so much. This truly wouldn’t have been possible without you, Brittni. Can’t wait to file for the green cards.
We hoped and prayed for this day, not knowing if it would ever come. Deportations are incredibly scary and overwhelming. We wanted to give a very special thank you to Jennifer Peyton of Chicago for securing this victory for us! With Jennifer on our side we were able to get our loved one back. On behalf of our family, thank you. When we started this journey, we had hoped and…
Matthew Kriezelman, first of all, thank you very much; you and your team are the best immigration lawyers in Chicago. I had a great experience—your professionalism was outstanding, and you were always there whenever needed. I give you five stars for the wonderful work you and your team did. Thanks again.
Hay momentos en la vida en los que una familia siente que el mundo se detiene. Nosotros vivimos uno de esos momentos y, en medio de la incertidumbre y el miedo, tuvimos la fortuna de encontrar a la abogada Sheila McNulty y al paralegal Rafael Rodríguez . Nos escucharon con empatía, nos guiaron con paciencia y defendieron nuestro caso con un profesionalismo, una dedicación y una calidad humana realmente excepcionales.…
We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Khiabett for her exceptional work and dedication in handling my husband’s removal proceedings case. We also want to thank Agata for her great communication during the gathering of all documents. Khiabett we are incredibly grateful for your expertise, guidance, and persistence throughout the entire process. I can't thank you enough for your empathy and standing by me during such a…
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