At Pelton + Balducci, it’s our job to help clients figure out the best immigration options for themselves and their family members. Read on for an explanation from our experienced Louisiana immigration lawyers regarding who is eligible for a green card, and how the process works.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Who qualifies for a green card as a family member” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23040762″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][vc_column_text]There are three categories that an individual might fall under, depending on who the resident applicant is:[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][fancy-ul icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-user” color=”Accent-Color” alignment=”left” spacing=”default” link_style=”default”]
- “Immediate relatives” of US citizens
- Other relatives of citizens or green card holders who fall within the family-sponsored “preference categories”
- “Derivative” family members of someone in a preference category
- Immediate relatives of US citizens can immigrate to the US in unlimited numbers throughout the year. These include:
-
-
- Spouses of US citizens
- Unmarried children of US citizens who are under 21
- Parents of US citizens if the child is 21 or over
-
- Preference category family members will probably have to wait in line, often for years, depending on which preference category they fall under.
-
- Family first preference (“F1”): unmarried “sons or daughters” (i.e., children 21 or older) of a US citizen;
- Family second preference (“F2”): The second preference is divided into two sub categories:
-
-
- spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of green card holders; and
- unmarried children of green card holders who are 21 or older
-
-
- Family third preference: married children of a US citizen
- Family fourth preference. Sisters and brothers of US citizens, where the citizen is 21 or older
- Accompanying relatives of someone in a preference category. Any spouse or child (under 21-years-old) of someone who is eligible for a green card through the “preference categories” is also eligible to apply to accompany them as a lawful permanent resident.
- Completing form I-130 on behalf of your family member
- Providing proof of your citizenship or permanent resident status
- Submitting evidence of the qualifying relationship such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc
- With marriage-based immigration cases, additional forms and documents are required to prove that the marriage did not happen for the primary purpose of obtaining the green card. You must document that the purpose of the marriage is to build a life together. Additional documentation of all family relationships is often a good idea.
