Terpollari & Terpollari, LLC are experienced immigration attorneys located in Jacksonville and Tampa, serving clients across the USA. They specialize in various areas of immigration law, including asylum and refugee status, citizenship and naturalization, deportation defense, and family-based immigration.
Family Immigration Attorney: Reuniting Families
Family Immigration Attorney: Reuniting Families Through U.S. Immigration Law
Family Immigration Attorney: Reuniting Families Through U.S. Immigration Law
- Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to petition for certain relatives to obtain a green card and join them in the United States. This is one of the most common paths to permanent residency, but the process, eligibility requirements, and wait times vary significantly depending on the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. Our firm helps families throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine navigate every stage of the family-based immigration process, from the initial petition through adjustment of status or consular processing.
Immediate Relatives vs. Family Preference Categories
Family-based immigration is divided into two main groups:
- Immediate Relatives — Spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens, and parents of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21 or older). This category has no annual cap, meaning no waiting list based on visa availability.
- Family Preference Categories — Includes unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens (F1), spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (F2A), unmarried adult children of permanent residents (F2B), married children of U.S. citizens (F3), and siblings of U.S. citizens (F4). These categories are subject to annual visa limits, often resulting in multi-year waiting periods depending on the category and the beneficiary's country of birth.
- Identifying the correct category early is essential to setting accurate expectations and building the right filing strategy.
The Family Petition Process
- Most family-based cases begin with Form I-130, filed by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner to establish the qualifying relationship. Once approved — and once a visa is available under the applicable category — the beneficiary may proceed to adjustment of status if already in the United States, or consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Along the way, cases may also involve the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), medical examinations, and, in certain cases, waivers of inadmissibility.
Evaluating Eligibility and Strategy
- Every family's situation is different, and factors such as immigration history, prior overstays, marriage-based scrutiny, or a beneficiary's country of birth can all affect timing and strategy. As part of our evaluation, we assess the qualifying relationship, identify the correct category, and determine whether any waivers or additional filings will be necessary to move the case forward as efficiently as possible.
Benefits of Family-Based Immigration
Approved beneficiaries receive:
- Lawful permanent residency (a green card) in the United States
- Authorization to live and work anywhere in the U.S. without restriction
- A path to U.S. citizenship after three or five years, depending on the category
- The ability to eventually petition for their own qualifying family members
Why Work With an Experienced Family Immigration Attorney
- Family-based cases often involve strict documentation requirements, evolving visa bulletin priority dates, and, in some cases, complex waiver applications for prior immigration violations. An experienced immigration attorney can help identify the correct category, prepare a well-documented petition, and guide families through adjustment of status or consular processing without unnecessary delay.
- Our firm represents families throughout the Jacksonville, Florida area and entire USA in immediate relative and family preference petitions, from initial filing through final approval. If you're ready to bring your family together, contact our office to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
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