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Family Based Petitions

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Family is everything, and the law recognizes this.

If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you may be able to bring a spouse, child, parent, or other close family member to the United States, or help them get legal status if they are already here. Many people don’t realize this is possible, or they assume a past mistake makes it impossible. We are here to help you understand what options exist for you and your family and guide you along the best path forward.

YOUR FAMILY MEMBER
IS ALREADY HERE

If your loved one is living in the United States, they may be able to apply for a green card without ever leaving. They can stay home, keep working, and remain with the family while the process moves forward.

This may apply if your family member is here through:

  • Marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder
  • A parent, child, or sibling relationship
  • A humanitarian visa such as a U or T visa
  • A past petition that was already filed

YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IS
OUTSIDE THE U.S.

If your loved one is still abroad, there is still a path forward. The process happens through a U.S. consulate in their country, and it is something many families successfully go through every year.

This may apply if your family member:

  • Has never entered the United States
  • Returned to their home country and needs to apply from there
  • Is your fiancé or partner waiting to join you
  • Needs a waiver before they can travel for an interview

What many people don’t realize is that a family-based petition is only the beginning of the process, not the final result.

Filing a petition is how you formally show your relationship to a family member, but it does not give immediate legal status on its own. From there, the next steps depend on your situation — whether your relative is inside or outside the United States, how your relationship is categorized, and whether a visa is immediately available. Some cases move faster, especially for close family members, while others may involve longer wait times.

This is where understanding your specific situation matters. Two families can start in a similar place and have very different timelines or options based on details that are not always obvious at first. Knowing what to expect early on helps you avoid delays, prepare the right documentation, and move forward with a clearer understanding of how the process actually works.

Meet with an immigration attorney for a case review

505.508.4015

Do Any of These Sound Familiar?

These are some of the most common situations we help families navigate every day.

My spouse is here with me, but we are not sure how to make their status permanent.

You may be wondering →

Can my spouse apply for a green card without leaving the U.S.?

In many cases, yes. If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder, your spouse may be able to apply from inside the United States. We review your situation together to see which path makes the most sense and help you move forward without unnecessary separation.

My family member is still in our home country and we want them here with us.

You may be wondering →

How do I sponsor a family member who lives outside the U.S.?

You can file a petition on their behalf from the United States. Once approved, your family member completes their process through a U.S. consulate in their country. We guide both of you through every step so no one feels alone in the process.

We are worried that a mistake from the past will stop our case before it even starts.

You may be wondering →

Does a past immigration issue automatically mean we don't qualify?

Not always. Many families with complicated histories still have a path forward. In some cases a waiver can help, and in others the issue may matter less than people expect. We review your full story honestly and tell you exactly what we see, including what is possible and what is not.

My partner and I are engaged and we want to start our life together here in the U.S.

You may be wondering →

What options exist for bringing a fiancé to the United States?

There is a visa specifically for this situation that allows your fiancé to enter the U.S., marry, and then apply for a green card. We walk both of you through the process step by step, including the interview and what comes after.

We started a petition years ago but life happened and we are not sure where things stand.

You may be wondering →

Can an old petition still be used or restarted?

Sometimes yes. Depending on what was filed and when, there may still be options available to your family. We look at the full picture, including what was filed, what happened since, and whether there is a way to move forward from where you are.

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If this sound like your situation,
your case deserves a closer look.

Every family’s story is different. If you are not sure whether any of this applies to you, that is completely normal. The best place to start is a conversation. We will listen, ask the right questions, and give you an honest answer about what may be possible.
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Understanding your options can bring real change: better job opportunities, more security for your family, the ability to travel safely, and the confidence to plan your future without fear. If you’ve been unsure about where you stand, this is the place to begin.

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