Practice Areas

Family Immigration

Family Immigration Attorneys

Reuniting families

You have finally arrived. Now that you are a citizen or lawful permanent resident, you can file immigration petitions on behalf of your family. If you want your relatives to live in the US, the immigration lawyers of P. Grossman, a Professional Law Corporation can help. We can guide you through the lengthy, complicated family-based petition process. We can also assist you if any problems should arise. If you would like to reunite with your family or if your family is already in the United States but you want to help them obtain lawful permanent residence, contact P. Grossman, a Professional Law Corporation to talk to an experienced immigration lawyer.

Types of Family-based Immigration Visas

United States citizens and lawful permanent residents may petition for their relatives to immigrate to the United States. Immediate relatives of United States citizens (a spouse, children under 21 years of age, and parents of children over 21 years of age) are eligible to immigrate right away. Other eligible family members of United States citizens and eligible family members of lawful permanent residents need to wait until a visa becomes available.

There are also visas available for fiancées. A K-1 visa is for a fiancée. In certain cases, if you are engaged, you can bring your betrothed to the US. The visa is good for 90 days. Within that time, you must marry and adjust your fiancée's status. K-2 visas are for minor children of the fiancée. If the wait for status adjustment is long, your relative may be eligible for a K-3 visa. A K-3 would allow your relative to live in the US while waiting to adjust his or her status.

Adjustment of Status versus Consular Processing

Adjustment of Status is when an alien adjusts his or her status to that of a lawful permanent resident in the United States. Generally, only aliens that have entered the United States on a valid non-immigrant visa may adjust status in the United States. However, aliens that have entered the United States without inspection may also adjust status in the United States if they qualify for benefits under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In general, an alien qualifies for benefits under Section 245(i) if the alien is the beneficiary of a valid immigrant visa petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140) that has been filed on or before April 30, 2001 by a qualifying family member or employer.

If at all possible, we would prefer to have your relative in the country during the application process. If he or she stays here, we can prepare the paperwork, talk to them in person, and attend their visa interviews.

Unfortunately, if an alien has not entered the United States on a valid non-immigrant visa and is not eligible under Section 245(i), then the alien may need to obtain a visa through the consulate via consular processing. If your family member has to be outside the country to apply, we can still prepare all the necessary paperwork and otherwise assist them.

Naturalization

If you want to live in the US permanently with your family, we urge you to consider becoming a US citizen. Citizens enjoy more rights and privileges than lawful permanent residents. The visa waiting periods for relatives of US citizens are also much shorter.

Every family situation is unique. If you would like to bring your family to live in the US, contact our office. We work closely with you to create a strategy that works best for you and your family.

Contact a family immigration lawyer for an initial consultation.

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P. Grossman, a Professional Law Corporation represents clients throughout California including the cities of Fresno, Madera, Visalia, Merced, Bakersfield, Tarzana, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and San Gabriel Valley.

Fresno County, Kings County, Tulare County, Madera County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Riverside County, Orange County, San Diego County