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Sheets: Family Based Immigration
It is possible to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR)
if you have a relative who is a US citizen or a lawful permanent
resident of the United States. When you become a LPR, you
have a green card and are authorized to work.
US Citizens may petition for the following relatives:
Husband or wife;
Unmarried child under 21 years old;
Unmarried son or daughter over 21;
Married son or daughter of any age;
Brother or sister, if the US Citizen is at least 21 years
old; or
Parent, if the US Citizen is at least 21 years old.
LPRís may petition for the following relatives:
Husband or wife; or
Unmarried son or daughter of any age
To be eligible for family based immigration you must have
a relative who can provide documentation of their US Citizen
or LPR status and are willing to petition for you by filing
Form
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. Your relative must
legally prove that they share one of the above familial relationships
with you.
Once the I-130 has been approved, immigrants are classified
into categories based on a preference system. Immediate relatives
of US Citizens (parents, spouses and unmarried children under
the age of 21) are immediately eligible to apply for permanent
residency. The remaining categories must wait for an immigrant
visa number to become available for their category.
In immigration terminology, applying for permanent residency
is called applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful
permanent resident. When eligible, Form
I-485 Application to Adjust Status is filed to change
your status to a LPR. This process includes a criminal check
by fingerprinting and a medical exam. Applicants might be
barred from permanent residency if they have a record of involvement
with drugs, prostitution, or other crimes, if they are HIV
positive, committed visa fraud, were previously deported,
or have certain other ìbad marksî against them.
Waivers are sometimes available for criminal and health issues
but immigrants with these complications are advised to have
their cases reviewed by an immigration attorney. Your relative
must also prove that they can support you by providing financial
documentation and completing Form
I-865 Affidavit of Support. For
more information go to:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/family.htm
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/family.htm
http://www.ilrc
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