Family
Bringing your family together
A citizen or green card holder can ask for a spouse, child, parent or sibling to join them. Each relationship has its own form, its own wait and its own risks.
Before anything is filed, I check who qualifies, which category your family falls into and what proof the government will want. If your relative is already here, I tell you honestly whether they can apply from inside the country, because the wrong application can put them at risk.
Who I can help bring over
Spouses
A husband or wife of a citizen or green card holder, with the proof of a real marriage that the interview asks for.
Children
Sons and daughters, young or grown, married or not. The category decides how long the wait is.
Parents
A citizen who is 21 or older can ask for a mother or father to join them.
Fiancé or fiancée
A visa for a partner abroad to come and marry a citizen within a set time.
Renewals and replacements
Renewing a ten-year green card, or replacing one that was lost, stolen or damaged.
Victims of abuse
Special protections, like VAWA and the U visa, let some people apply without the abuser knowing. Call or text; use Quick exit if you need to.
What families ask about petitions
How long does a family petition take?
It depends on the relationship. Some relatives can move right away; others wait years for a visa number. I tell you where your category stands when we talk.
Can my relative apply if they are here without papers?
Sometimes, but not always, and the wrong application can lead to a removal case. Come in before you file anything.
What proof do you need for a marriage case?
Proof that the marriage is real and shared: a lease or mortgage, bills, bank accounts, photos and letters from people who know you both. I'll give you a list for your situation.