Fort Worth, TX Family Immigration Lawyer

Caring Lawyer Representing Immigrant Families in Fort Worth, TX

As a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen, you have the power to sponsor family members for a visa into the country. However, this process is labor-intensive, and if you do not take the right steps, your relative's visa application could be denied. With the help of a Fort Worth family immigration lawyer, you can make the process smoother and easier for everyone involved.

The Meza Law Firm, PLLC stands as an advocate for immigrants and their families across northern Texas. Our firm can help you explore all possible options for family immigration and find the right kind of visa for your needs, clearing up any questions you may have during your petition.

Immediate Relative Visas

If you are a citizen of the United States, you have the option of sponsoring a family member with an Immediate Relative (IR) visa. Since these are issued by the government on an unlimited basis, there is no required wait period to obtain an available visa. However, Immediate Relative visas are only open to select people, including:

• Your spouse
• Your unmarried children who are under the age of 21
• Your parents

To initiate this process, you must fill out Form I-130 with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your relative's behalf. By filling out Form I-130, you are essentially claiming that you intend to stay in the country for the foreseeable future and that you have the ability to support your immigrating family members. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can help you fill out an IR visa to secure a green card for your family member.

Family Preference Visas

If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if you want to sponsor a family member whose relationship to you is not covered by an Immediate Relative visa, you can petition for a Family Preference visa.

There is an annual cap on the number of people who can be allowed into the country on a Family Preference visa. This means that these visas often come with lengthy wait times—several years in some cases. Family Preference visas come in different categories ranked in order of descending priority:

• F1/First Preference: Children of United States citizens, as long as the children are not married and are at least 21 years old
• F2A/Second Preference: Spouses of green card holders and children who are not married and who are younger than 21 years old
• F2B/Second Preference: Children of green card holders, as long as the children are not married and are at least 21 years old
• F3/Third Preference: Married children of United States citizens
• F4/Fourth Preference: Sisters and brothers of United States citizens

K-1 Visas

A K-1 visa is a unique visa reserved for the fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens. For this visa to be valid, you and your fiancé(e) must get married within 90 days of the non-citizen arriving in the country. As a measure against immigration fraud, the government may ask you and your partner questions to determine if the marriage is legitimate. Additionally, you and your partner must have spent some time in each other's physical company within two years before you submit your petition for a K-1 visa.

If the K-1 visa is approved, you can get married after your partner comes to the United States. You and your partner can then petition for an adjustment of status to receive a green card by filing Form I-485. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can walk you through the process of applying for a K-1 visa and an adjustment of status, making sure your partner's entry into the country goes as smoothly as possible.

Meet With a Fort Worth, Texas Family Immigration Lawyer

Helping your family members immigrate to the United States can make for a wonderful reunion. That being said, it takes hard work and plenty of paperwork before a visa can be approved. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our Tarrant County immigration lawyer can provide you with legal assistance to sponsor a family member's visa.

We are here to advocate for your best interests. To schedule a consultation, contact us online or call us at 817-732-6392 today.