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By Yadira Zepeda
Managing Attorney

Family ties are at the heart of every community, and the U.S. immigration system recognizes the importance of keeping loved ones together. Bringing family members to live with you in the United States can be a life-changing opportunity, offering stability and a chance to build a future together. Whether you’re seeking to reunite with a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, family-based immigration opens doors for those connections to grow stronger. Understanding how to sponsor your relatives is the first step toward making that dream a reality.

Who Can Sponsor a Family Member?

Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to bring certain relatives to the United States. Your ability to sponsor a family member depends on your immigration status and the relationship you share.

U.S. citizens can sponsor:  

  • Immediate relatives, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents.  
  • Other family members, such as married children or siblings (these categories have longer waiting periods).  

Lawful permanent residents can sponsor:  

  • Spouses  
  • Unmarried children of any age  

Sponsors must also meet financial requirements to prove they can support their family members once they arrive. This includes completing an affidavit of support, demonstrating that the family member won’t become dependent on public benefits.  

Steps to Sponsor a Family Member

Sponsoring a family member to come to the United States involves several steps.  

File Form I-130  

The first step is completing Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes the family relationship between you and your relative. Include supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or adoption records to prove the relationship.  

Wait for USCIS Approval  

After you submit the form, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review your petition. Approval timelines vary depending on the type of family relationship and visa category.  

Visa Availability  

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have visas available immediately. For other family categories, your relative may need to wait until a visa becomes available based on the visa bulletin.  

Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status  

If your relative is outside the U.S., they will complete consular processing, including an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If your relative is already in the U.S., they may apply for Adjustment of Status to become a lawful permanent resident.  

Options for Relatives Already in the U.S.

If your relative is already in the United States, they may qualify for Adjustment of Status (AOS) to apply for a green card without leaving the country. To be eligible, they typically need to have entered the U.S. lawfully and meet specific criteria based on their relationship to you.  

AOS allows your relative to remain with family while their green card application is processed. They’ll need an approved Form I-130 and must file Form I-485 for adjustment. This option can provide a smoother transition to permanent residency compared to consular processing abroad.

Challenges and How We Can Help

Sponsoring a family member can present challenges, from complex paperwork to long processing times. Proving a genuine relationship requires careful documentation, and financial requirements can feel overwhelming. Additionally, visa backlogs in certain family preference categories can leave families waiting for years. For relatives already in the U.S., ensuring eligibility for Adjustment of Status can also be tricky, especially if their original entry wasn’t lawful.  

We understand how emotional and stressful this process can be. Our team will guide you through each step, ensuring all forms are complete, deadlines are met, and supporting evidence is organized effectively. We’ll help you understand the waiting periods and your options for expediting specific cases when possible. By working with us, you can focus on your family while we handle the legal complexities. Reuniting with loved ones is our priority, and we aim to make the process as smooth as possible for you. 

Contact an Experienced Family Immigration Attorney

Bringing your family to the United States is a meaningful step that strengthens bonds and creates new opportunities. While the process can be challenging, the rewards of reuniting with loved ones make it worthwhile. If you’re ready to take the next step in sponsoring a family member, contact Zepeda Law Firm today. We’ll provide the guidance and support you need to turn this important goal into a reality.

About the Author
Yadira Zepeda, is the principal attorney and founder of Zepeda Law Firm, PLLC. With over 18 years of immigration law experience, representing people from around the world, she is recognized in her field and community as an expert in the U.S. Immigration laws. She has built her practice on mostly referrals as her aim has always been to be more intimate and personal with clientele. While other firms have paralegals conduct consultations, she handles all initial consults with clients and oversees each case. Her goal is to provide kindness and sincerity to each case in a very intimidating process.