Winston-Salem Family-Based Petition Lawyer

Winston-Salem Family-Based Petition Attorney

In the community of Winston-Salem and surrounding areas, family is everything. Issues where immigration law and family intersect can be highly overwhelming. A Winston-Salem family-based petition lawyer from Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, can help eligible family members get green cards and build their lives in the US. We can help you ensure your application is done right the first time, avoiding delays or rejections.

At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, our immigration team is dedicated to bringing families together no matter where they may come from. We can help you evaluate your family member’s eligibility for a green card and other immigration avenues and design and implement a strong legal strategy to meet your goals. Together, we can help make the immigration process painless and efficient by empowering you with information, advocacy, and case management.

What Are Family-Based Petitions?

A family-based petition is a document that gives US citizens and lawful permanent residents (otherwise known as green card holders) the opportunity to sponsor eligible family members to immigrate to the United States. The petition, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, must be filed with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to start the process.

Individuals who are eligible to be sponsored via family-based petitions include parents, spouses, siblings, and children of any age. Who you can petition for depends on your status in the US:

• US Citizens. If you are a citizen, you can petition for your spouse, sibling, parents, and married or unmarried children of any age.
• Permanent Residents. If you are a green card holder, you can petition for your spouse and unmarried children of any age.

There are two types of family-based petition categories, immediate relative and family preference, and each one comes with its own set of requirements, with visa processing times depending on caseload, availability of visas, the familial relationship, and whether the sponsor is a US citizen or green card holder.

Crucial Support a Winston-Salem Family-Based Petition Lawyer Can Provide

As navigating the family-based petition process can be overwhelming, hiring an experienced attorney can be highly beneficial to your case. A skilled attorney from our team can support you with the legal guidance and case management needed to resolve any problems that may emerge in your case and ensure a successful application.

Specifically, we can support you with the following:

• Determining eligibility. We can go over the details of your case, including your immigration status, the documentation available to show your relationship with your family member, and other considerations to ensure you meet the requirements to sponsor a family member.
• Filling out and submitting your petition. Filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, should be done with sufficient supporting evidence to show the relationship is legitimate. An attorney from our team can help collect and present relevant documents to support your case, from birth certificates to financial records,
• Solving problems. We can work to anticipate challenges with your application, such as prior immigration violations, concerns with inadmissibility, and a lack of evidence, and proactively address them to ensure the smooth processing of your application.
• Supporting bureaucratic processes. If your relatives are already located in the US, they will go through the adjustment of status process. If they are located outside the country, they will need to go through consular processing. We can guide you through the process that is right for your case, depending on your case details.

A seasoned family-based petition lawyer from our firm can leverage our knowledge of immigration law and processes to optimize your case. We can work to proactively avoid any mistakes that could lead to unnecessary delays or denials, helping you avoid common pitfalls and working to bring your loved one to the Winston-Salem community.

FAQs

Q: Who Can Be Sponsored Through a Family-Based Petition in North Carolina?

A: For a family-based petition in North Carolina, individuals who can be sponsored include spouses, children, parents, and siblings of US citizens, and spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents. The specific category under which a person files a petition can influence the amount of time processing may take.

Q: How Can an NC Family-Based Petition Lawyer Help Me?

A: A North Carolina family-based petition lawyer can assist you with filling out and submitting Form I-130 and collecting crucial supporting evidence and documents. Should any issues with your application arise, they can quickly address them, ensuring smooth processing of your case. They can also help ensure that you meet the requirements laid out by USCIS, helping you avoid mistakes that could result in unnecessary delays or rejections.

Q: What Is the Process for Filing a Family-Based Petition?

A: The process for filing a family-based petition starts with filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. After this petition is approved by USCIS, the beneficiary can begin the process of applying for a green card. A knowledgeable immigration attorney can help them navigate the application process through adjustment of status or consular processing, depending on whether they are located in the US.

Q: How Long Does It Take for a Family-Based Petition to Be Approved?

A: The amount of time it may take for a family-based petition to be approved depends on various factors, including the relationship the petitioner has with the beneficiary and the immigration status of the petitioner. While immediate relatives of US citizens typically have lower wait times, due to an unlimited number of visas, other preference categories can take much longer.

Q: What Are the Immediate Relative and Family Preference Categories?

A: The immediate relative and family preference categories are the two main categories of family-based green card petitions. Individuals who qualify as immediate relatives include spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of US citizens. Family preference categories are split into tiers depending on the familial relationship and whether the sponsor is a US citizen or green card holder.

Overcome Your Family-Based Immigration Challenges With an Experienced Attorney

Navigating the US immigration system can be stressful, especially when your loved ones are involved. Whether you are looking to join your spouse in Winston-Salem or have just received a rejection from USCIS, a Winston-Salem family-based petition lawyer can leverage strong legal tactics to solve your problems. Contact us today to get started going over your case details and coming up with a robust legal strategy.