Family-Based Immigration

 

Keeping families together

It’s rare that immigration cases are entirely isolated to one person. If you’re an immigrant to the U.S., you likely have loved ones who are also looking to call the United States home. At Dubrule & Nowel, PLLC, we do everything in our power to keep families together and help you realize your long term goals of residency or citizenship.

 

Becoming a Permanent Resident
(getting your “Green Card”)

One of the most common ways for non-citizens to obtain their permanent residency is by having a family member apply for them. These are called family petitions and they can be filed on behalf of parents, children, spouses, and siblings.

Once a petition has been approved and is current, there are two ways to apply for permanent residency in the United States:

  1. Adjustment of status: If you entered the United States with permission, and have a U.S. citizen spouse or child over the age of 21, this may be a good option for you. Adjustment of status allows you to remain in the United States throughout the entire process and to obtain your permanent residency without leaving the country. 

  2. Consular processing: If you entered the United States without permission, have fallen out of status, or have a permanent resident spouse, parent, or are using your U.S. citizen sibling, you may need to use consular processing to obtain your residency. This method involves an interview at the U.S. embassy in your country of origin. 

Many factors go into both types of cases and your eligibility for each can depend on your date of entry, your immigration history, or even the date a petition is filed. We can help determine the best course of action to pursue permanent resident status based on your unique situation.

 

K-1 / Fiancé(e) Visas

If you are engaged to someone living outside of the United States you may qualify to apply for a fiancé(e) visa on behalf of your intended spouse. This type of visa can be great for couples who are looking for the shortest wait time to begin a life together in the United States. 

Once the visa is approved, your fiancé(e) will have an interview at the U.S. embassy in their home country. After the approval at the interview, they will travel to the United States with the plan to marry you within 90 days of arrival. 

While this can be a great option to get your fiancé(e) to the United States, once here they must still apply for adjustment of status in order to get their permanent residency. 

 

Explore Your Options for Family Immigration

If you’re helping a family member come to the United States, apply for residency, or overcome an immigration challenge, Dubrule & Nowel, PLLC can help. Every case starts with a consultation to determine the best path forward for your unique circumstances.