Family immigration: sponsoring non-immediate family members

It is important for families in Florida to be close to each other. This means being close emotionally and physically in many instances. Advances in technology may have made it easier for families to stay in contact with each other even if they live in different countries, but nothing can truly replace in-person interaction. Also, many times it is important for people to help family members in other countries escape bad situations and have a fresh start in the United States.

There are ways that people can help family members come to the U.S. and obtain Green Cards through family immigration. However, there are different processes for immediate family members and other family members. It is easier if a U.S. citizen is petitioning for an immediate family member, but there is a process for other family members as well.

If the person is not an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen, the family member is placed into different preference categories. The visas granted to these people are given to those family members depending on their preference. Also, there are only a limited number of visas granted each year for these family members.

The first preference is for unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens. The next is for spouses of Green Card holders and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents. After that it is unmarried adult children of permanent residents. Next is married children of U.S. citizens and the final preference is for siblings of adult U.S. citizens.

It is important for people living in Florida to have both immediate and other family members come and live with them. There is a process for sponsoring both types of family members and both can be complicated. It is important to understand the process, and immigration attorneys may be able to guide one through it.

Source: uscis.gov, “Family of U.S. Citizens” accessed Aug. 28, 2017