Practice Area
Family-Based Immigration
Petitioning for a spouse, fiancé(e), parent, or child is one of the most common paths to a green card — and one of the most document-heavy. We help you build a complete, well-supported petition from the start.
Who This Is For
- Married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder
- Unmarried child of a U.S. citizen or green card holder
- Engaged to a U.S. citizen (fiancé(e) visa)
- Parent of a U.S. citizen
- Married child of a U.S. citizen
- Sibling of a U.S. citizen
Green card holders can only petition for a spouse or unmarried child — not a married child, sibling, or parent. Those categories require U.S. citizenship.
What We Handle
- Petition preparation and filing (I-130, I-129F)
- Adjustment of status or consular processing
- Evidence strategy for bona fide relationship documentation
- Coordination through interview and decision, if retained for the entire process
How It Works
What working with us looks like
Free Intro Call
A short call with our intake team to understand your situation and confirm we’re the right fit — affirmative cases only.
Consultation with Attorney
You meet directly with the attorney to discuss your case, options, and likely path forward.
Strategy & Filing
We build your case plan and prepare and file your petition with USCIS, keeping you informed throughout.
Case Management
We monitor case progress throughout the scope you retained us for and flag what needs attention next.
Not sure if this fits your situation?
Take our two-minute intake quiz to find the right starting point. Take the quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I petition for a family member if I have a green card but am not a U.S. citizen?
Green card holders can petition for a spouse or an unmarried child. Petitions for a married child, a sibling, or a parent require U.S. citizenship.
What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status is filed when your relative is already in the United States; consular processing is used when they are applying from abroad. But physical location is the starting point, not the full answer — adjusting generally requires that they were inspected and admitted or paroled into the country, and even someone eligible to adjust can face real risk by leaving for a consular interview instead. We review the manner of entry and immigration history with you before recommending either path.
What kind of evidence does a marriage-based petition need?
These cases are document heavy, and much of the work is documenting that the relationship is bona fide. We build an evidence strategy around your specific relationship rather than handing you a generic checklist.
Do you stay on the case through the interview?
Yes, if you retain us for the entire process. We prepare and file the petition (I-130 or I-129F) and coordinate through the interview and the decision.
Does filing a petition let my relative live or work in the U.S. while it is pending?
No. A family petition establishes that the qualifying relationship is real — that is its entire job. USCIS is explicit that filing or approving the petition confers no immigration status or benefit. For immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21), there is no annual cap and no wait for a visa number; for other family categories, approval starts the wait for a visa number to become available. Either way, the petition itself does not authorize work, travel, or remaining in the U.S. — work authorization rests on its own eligibility category, most often a pending adjustment of status application filed alongside or after the petition.
Do I have to prove I can financially support the relative I am petitioning for?
In most family-based cases, yes. The petitioner signs an affidavit of support, Form I-864, and generally has to show household income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size — 100% for a sponsor on active duty in the U.S. armed forces sponsoring a spouse or child. USCIS publishes the current figures on Form I-864P, which is updated periodically. If your income does not reach the requirement on its own, a joint sponsor can file in addition to you, and household income from certain relatives can also help — we will walk through the options that fit your situation.
Guides on This Topic
The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)
What sponsors need to know about Form I-864.
Who Can I Petition For?
A quick eligibility reference for U.S. citizens and green card holders considering a family petition.
Navigating the I-130 Petition
What to expect when petitioning for a spouse, parent, or child.
Navigating the K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
A plain-language walkthrough of the K-1 visa process.
Marrying a U.S. Citizen: What Comes Next
Documenting a bona fide marriage-based case.