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“Liberty Is The Right To Do What The Law Permits.”
Montesquieu
We Are Part Of The Family. All The Way Through.
Family Based Immigration
If you are a US citizen or legal permanent resident, you can petition for green cards for certain members of your family. US citizens can petition for spouses, children, parents and brothers and sisters; while legal permanent residents can petition for spouses and children.
Parents
If you are a US citizen over 21 years of age, you are able to file for your parents’ green cards. If your parents legally entered the US, then they would be eligible to seek residency in the US based on your petition. Should you require more information about how to apply for your parents’ residency.
Children
As a US citizen, you can petition for your children, regardless of age or their marital status. If they are unmarried and under 21 years old, your children will be immediately eligible to become a legal permanent resident of the United States. If your child is married or over 21, then they may need to wait some time before they can seek residency. In addition to applying for your direct descendants, you are also able to apply for your step children, provided that you married their biological parent before the child was 18.
If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you will also be able to file residency requests for your unmarried children and step children (if married to your spouse before the child’s 18th birthday). Your child may not be able to seek permanent residency when you file the green card petition, and if in the US, the child must be in lawful status in order to seek residency in the US.
Should you wish to file a green card petition for your children or step children.
Spouses
If you are married to a US citizen or a legal permanent resident, you should be able to obtain your residency in the US based on this marriage. You must be able to provide evidence that you and your spouse married for love and not for immigration purposes. This means you should provide evidence to the officer of your relationship.
If you entered the US legally and married a US citizen, you should be able to seek your residency when your spouse files a green card petition on your behalf. You will likely have an interview with an immigration officer to determine whether or not the marriage was entered into for immigration purposes or because you generally love one another.
If you have been married for less than two years, after the interview, you will receive a temporary green card, which will expire in two years. Prior to your residency expiring, you must file a request for a permanent green card showing that the marriage you have entered into was for love. You do not have to remain married to file this request, you just have to show that the marriage was for love. It would be best of you provided additional documents from after your immigration interview showing your relationship to your spouse.
Marriage to a legal permanent resident is a little different, as you may not be able to seek residency when your spouse files a green card petition on your behalf. You will still have to provide documentation showing that it is a marriage based on love. When you are able to file for your green card, you will get a full ten year green card, and will not need to file any additional requests. However, you must be in lawful status in the US to seek permanent residency in the US based on your marriage to a permanent resident.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can become a US permanent resident based on your marriage.
Brothers and Sisters
As a US citizen, you are able to seek green card petitions for your brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, it may take years before your siblings are able to obtain residency in the US based on your request. However, it is better to start the process now, if your brother or sister is even remotely interested in moving to the US in the future. Should you need any assistance in this regard.