Family-based Immigration

Family is the most important reason why people seek to lawfully immigrate to the United States. Our current immigration laws allow individuals lawfully in the U.S. to petition for certain family members. The person who is being petitioned for is the beneficiary and will be placed in a category of preference depending on their relationship to the petitioner and the petitioner’s status.

U.S. citizens who apply for immediate relatives (parents, spouses, and unmarried children under 21 years of age) will place the beneficiary in the first category of visa preference and will have a visa available immediately. The second, third, and fourth categories of visa preference depend on facts specific to the beneficiary and whether the petitioner is a U.S. citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident.

The way you apply for lawful status through a family member requires a careful analysis into the circumstances and facts associated with your immigration history. How you arrived to the United States, any time you have spent abroad, previous entries, and criminal history are all relevant factors to consider when applying for immigration benefits through a family petition.

At Garcia | Estorga we take a focused approach to ensure that your application is handled the correct way. It is important to understand that the lawful immigration path you take will depend on facts and circumstances individual to your specific case. Please contact us at 210-540-3449, or by email, to set up a free initial consultation.