San Diego Family Immigration Lawyer
Committed to Bringing Families Together
Family-based immigration is one of the most common ways that people immigrate into the United States. The immigration process can be very complicated, and it is important to have an advocate working for you on every step along the way. The law allows family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain legal permanent residence in the country provided that certain conditions are met. Once a person files for permanent resident status they are also eligible to obtain a work authorization document, meaning that they can work in the United States while their application for residency is pending. Anyone interested in family-based immigration should contact an experienced San Diego immigration attorney for a consultation. Attorney Shannon Englert practices exclusively in the area of immigration law, and is dedicated to helping people seeking family-based immigration to the U.S. obtain a favorable result.
Navigating the Different Types of Family-Based Immigration
United States law provides for two types of family-based immigration visas, detailed below:
- Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas – These visas are available to close relatives of United States citizens, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, an orphan adopted by a U.S. citizen, an orphan to be adopted by a citizen, and parents of citizens over 21 years old. There is no limit to the number of these visas a that may be obtained in a fiscal year.
- Family Preference Immigrant Visas – These visas are available for more distant family members of a United States citizen or other specified relatives of lawful permanent residents. There are limits on the number of these visas available per fiscal year. The kinds of relatives that are eligible for family preference immigrant visas include:
- Unmarried children of citizens and their minor children.
- Spouses, minor children, and unmarried children over 21 of lawful permanent residents.
- Married children of citizens, and their spouses and minor children.
- Siblings of citizens, their spouses and children, provided that the citizen is at least 21 years old.
There are several other regulations regarding the way in which relatives of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents may immigrate into the country. Consulting with an experienced immigration attorney is the best way to ensure that the process goes smoothly and ultimately results in a favorable determination being made.
Contact an Experienced San Diego Immigration Attorney for a Consultation
If you or a loved one is considering immigrating to the United States, you should contact an experienced immigration attorney for a consultation as soon as possible. An attorney who understands the process can help you ensure that you receive the visas you for which you are applying as well as to help anticipate and avoid any potential issues that may arise. In order to schedule your consultation with immigration attorney Shannon Englert, please call our office today at (858) 480-1077. If you would prefer to reach us via email, please fill out our online contact form on the right, and a member of our staff will be in touch with you shortly.