What To Do When Filing a Family Based Immigration Claim

If you are attempting to gain citizenship for your family, learn what to do when filing a family base immigration claim. Give us a call today.

Status and Requirements for DAPA

• Deferred Action for Parents of Adult Citizens or Green Card holders.
• Any citizen or Green Card hold that has been a US resident for the last 5 years with no serious criminal history is eligible for DAPA.
• You can obtain a social security card and a driver’s license once approved.
• DAPA is not a Green Card or Citizenship, it is only a 3 year work permit.

Proving Your Child is a Citizen if Born Abroad

• The embassy will provide a Consular Report of Birth Abroad form.
• This form is proof of identification, but does not give you the ability to travel.
• You should also apply for a Certificate of Citizenship, which allows you to obtain a passport for the child.

Including Your Spouse and Children in a Green Card Application

• Your spouse and minor children are always included in your Green Card application.
• Usually your spouse and children can be named as derivative beneficiaries.

Being Sponsored By Your Father Without His Name on the Birth Certificate

• A DNA test may be needed to prove you are biologically related to your father.
• You may also need to provide proof of an ongoing child-father relationship.

Being Sponsored by Your Stepfather

• You are able to be sponsored by a stepparent as long as you biological parent was married before you turned 18.
• If you are living abroad, you can file the I-130 Visa Petition and interview at the US Embassy.
• If you were over the age of 21, this process can take a bit longer to complete.

Sponsoring a Family Member if You Recently Became a Citizen

• You have the eligibility to sponsor a spouse, children, adult children, and even siblings.
• Spouses and minor children can take up to six months, while married children cases can take up to seven years, and sibling sponsorships can take up to ten years.

Sponsoring Your Parents

• You must become a U.S. Citizen in order to sponsor your parents.  As a Green Card holder you can sponsor your spouse, minor children, or unmarried adult children.
• It can take a year and a half to sponsor a spouse, and over seven years for unmarried adult children.
• You will be able to file for U.S. citizenship once you have had your Green Card for five years.

Download Our Free Immigration Guide