San Francisco Family Immigration Attorneys

Options for Family-Based Immigration in San Francisco, CA

Family-based immigration is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system, allowing U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to sponsor their family members to come to the United States and become lawful permanent residents. The ability to bring family members to the U.S. not only strengthens familial bonds, but it also enriches the cultural and social fabric of the nation. At Hafey & Karim, we recognize the importance of family, and we work to ensure that people living in the U.S. can take steps to be together with their loved ones. Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with a wide variety of complex issues related to immigration, and we can help ensure that all procedures are followed correctly when applying for visas and Green Cards.

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The Importance of Family-Based Immigration

The ability to sponsor family members for immigration plays a vital role in maintaining family unity and supporting the emotional and economic well-being of immigrants and their families. Sponsorship for visas and Green Cards is one of the most important aspects of the U.S. immigration system for several reasons:

• Family unity: Bringing family members together helps maintain strong relationships while ensuring that immigrants will have financial and emotional support. This can be essential for the well-being of multiple family members.
• Economic contributions: Family-sponsored immigrants will usually be able to contribute to the United States economy by joining the workforce, starting businesses, and investing in their communities.
• Cultural enrichment: Family-based immigration promotes cultural diversity and helps create a more inclusive society by bringing people from various backgrounds together.

Options for Family-Based Immigration

There are several pathways for U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to sponsor their family members to immigrate to the United States. The primary options include:

• Fiance visas (K-1 visas): The foreign fiance of a U.S. citizen may receive authorization to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. After arriving in the U.S., the couple will have 90 days to get married. The foreign spouse can then apply for a Green Card.
• Immediate Relative visas (IR visas): These visas are available to certain close family members of U.S. citizens. These visa applications are given priority, and they are not subject to annual quotas. They may be issued to spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, or parents of U.S. citizens. If an IR visa application is approved, the immigrant family member can enter the U.S. and become a lawful permanent resident.
• Family Preference visas (F visas): Family members who are not immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may receive sponsorship for these visas. Several categories of F visas are available, with visas being issued based on an order of preference and subject to annual quotas. Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens receive first preference, while spouses and children of lawful permanent residents receive second preference. Other preference categories cover married children and siblings of U.S. citizens. Family members who are approved for Family Preference visas can receive Green Cards after entering the United States.

Services Provided by Our Immigration Lawyers

Successfully navigating the complexities of family-based immigration requires a strong knowledge of the immigration laws that affect immigrants and family members who sponsor them for visas and Green Cards. At Hafey & Karim, we work to ensure that our clients understand the types of visas they may qualify for and the requirements they will need to meet during the application process. We can ensure that all required forms are prepared correctly and submitted to the proper agencies along with other required documents. We can provide guidance on how to address any issues that may affect the approval of visa or Green Card applications, and if necessary, we can help defend against deportation or work to resolve any other factors that may affect a person's immigration status. Our goal is to ensure that families will have the support they need to handle any immigration-related concerns they may encounter.

Contact Our San Francisco and Dallas Family Immigration Lawyers

Hafey & Karim can provide invaluable legal assistance with a wide variety of immigration issues. We work to ensure that our clients have the knowledge and legal help they need at every stage of the immigration process. We are fluent in Bengali, and we also work with translators to provide legal help to clients who speak Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, or Punjabi. Reach out to us today and schedule your initial consultation.