Family Immigration Attorney Maricopa County

Maricopa County Family Immigration Attorney

The desire to build a life together with your family in the United States is a powerful and deeply personal goal. However, the path to achieving it through the immigration system can be an intensely stressful and overwhelming experience. As a family immigration lawyer serving Maricopa County, Green Evans- Schroeder understands that when your family’s future is at stake, you need a trusted ally. We are here to protect your family, provide clear guidance through every step, and offer the resolute advocacy you need to keep your loved ones together. You should not have to face this journey alone.

What is Family-Based Immigration?

Family-based immigration is a cornerstone of U.S. law that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor certain eligible family members for a green card. This process is the primary pathway for families to reunite and live together permanently in the United States. The goal is to provide a legal route for spouses, children, parents, and siblings to join their relatives and build a secure future.

How Can I Sponsor a Family Member?

To sponsor a relative, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident and be able to prove that you can financially support them. The relatives you can sponsor depend on your status.

• U.S. Citizens can sponsor:
  • Spouses
  • Unmarried and married children of any age
  • Parents (if the citizen is 21 or older)
  • Brothers and sisters (if the citizen is 21 or older)
• Green Card Holders can sponsor:
  • Spouses
  • Unmarried children of any age

Proving your relationship and meeting financial requirements are critical parts of the sponsorship process.

What Are the Steps Involved?

The family-based immigration process involves several key stages, each requiring meticulous attention to detail. A mistake at any point can lead to significant delays or a denial.

1. File the Petition: The process begins when the U.S. citizen or green card holder (the petitioner) files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the qualifying family relationship.
2. Wait for Visa Availability: For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents), there is no waiting line. For other family preference categories, there are annual limits, which often create long waits determined by a “priority date.”
3. Apply for a Green Card: Once a visa is available, your relative will either apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) if they are already in the U.S. legally, or go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
4. Attend the Interview: Most applicants will be required to attend an interview where a consular or USCIS officer will verify information and ask questions to confirm eligibility.

Contact Us

These steps require careful preparation of documents, from birth certificates and marriage licenses to financial evidence. If you are in Maricopa County and ready to begin the process of reuniting your family, we are here to provide the trusted guidance you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation to secure your family’s future.