Federal law permits United States citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor family members for permanent resident status in the U.S. under certain circumstances. With over 30 years of immigration law experience, our attorneys at Kiang Immigration Law can help you navigate the complex rules and detailed process that apply to family-based immigration petitions. Based in Alhambra, California, we serve individuals and families throughout the Greater Los Angeles area and Southern California, across the United States, and around the world.

Our In-Depth Experience and Client Service Commitment

Uniting families through family-based immigration services is an important focus of our comprehensive immigration services at Kiang Immigration Law. Over more than three decades dedicated exclusively to practicing immigration law, we have established our reputation as a preeminent immigration law firm in the community and the legal profession. Our success comes through our high levels of knowledge and skill and our commitment to providing an exceptional level of client service.

Our attorneys, William Kiang and John Kiang, focus exclusively on immigration law, which enables us to devote our full attention to each client’s immigration needs. Our extensive knowledge of immigration law includes thorough familiarity with the complex rules and detailed processes that apply to family-based immigration. We always stay up to date on changes and nuances that affect the process. In addition, our dedication to providing the highest level of client service means that we always answer questions, address concerns, and maintain ongoing communication with every client throughout the entire course of a matter.

Eligibility for Family-Based Immigration

To live permanently in the United States, an immigrant must secure permanent resident status. A U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) may sponsor family members for permanent resident status, but only in certain circumstances.

There are two different categories of family-based immigration: 1) Immediate Relative and 2) Family Preference. The number of immediate relative approvals is not limited on an annual basis, but there is a limit on family preference approvals. In addition, whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may only sponsor certain relatives within each group, as follows:

• If you are a U.S. citizen, your immediate relative group includes your spouse, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and, if you are at least 21 years old, your parents.
• The family preference category for U.S. citizens includes married sons and daughters, unmarried children aged 21 years and older, and, if you are at least 21 years old, siblings (brothers and sisters).
• If you are a lawful permanent resident, you may only apply in the family preference category, not in the immediate relative category. The only eligible family members are your spouse, unmarried children under 21 years old, and, if you are over the age of 21, unmarried sons and daughters over the age of 21.

United States citizens and lawful permanent residents cannot sponsor other unlisted family members, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, or cousins.

There are other limited categories of individuals who may be eligible under specific circumstances, such as a widow or widower, fiancé(e), or child of a fiancé(e). In addition, certain victims of battery or extreme cruelty related to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may be eligible to file on their own behalf.

Family-Based Immigration Process

The process of applying for permanent resident status for a family member involves filing multiple petitions and applications with USCIS. Different processes apply depending on whether the family member is already in the United States or still lives in another country. Certain individuals may require a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility if they have issues such as criminal convictions, visa fraud, misrepresentation, and others.

Both the sponsor and the relative must complete specific steps and satisfy certain requirements. The sponsor must file a petition with supporting documentation and make detailed commitments in connection with the family member’s request. The family member goes through a complex screening process, which includes security and background checks.

Family-based immigration is an important process for everyone involved. Ensuring eligibility, filing the proper forms, and following all the required procedures should be accomplished with assistance from an experienced immigration attorney. At Kiang Immigration Law, our many years of immigration experience enable us to help clients with all aspects of family-based petitions, from determining the eligibility of family members to taking all the required steps to secure lawful resident status for a relative.

Our attorneys draw on their extensive knowledge and skill in providing guidance and representation in all immigration matters. Regardless of your circumstances, you can have full confidence in our professional ability and in our dedication to providing you and your family with trustworthy and efficient family-based immigration services.