Family-Based

One of the most common ways for people to get a green card is through a family member. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can help certain family members immigrate to the United States. This is a two-step process. First, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files a family visa petition. Second, the foreign national relative files an application to become a permanent resident. Each step involves different legal and factual issues.

As a national expert on these issues, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) provides ongoing trainings on the family-based immigration process, answers case-specific questions from practitioners, authors a comprehensive manual, Families & Immigration: A Practical Guide, and advocates locally and federally in support of immigrant families.

Latest in Family-Based

Introductory Guide to the Affidavit of Support

04/10/2018

This advisory provides an introduction to the Affidavit of Support including various ways to meet the financial requirements, different types of sponsors who may submit Affidavits of Support, who is considered a “household member” for purposes of the Affidavit of Support, and exemptions to the Affidavit of Support.

Understanding Extreme Hardship in Waivers: What Extreme Hardship Is and How to Prove It

01/31/2018

This advisory is a follow-up to the ILRC’s free webinar on hardship in waivers from the fall, 2017. Given the volume of questions received during the webinar and overall strong interest in this topic (over 1,000 people registered for this webinar!), this advisory covers the basics and also incorporates frequently asked questions. In this practice advisory you will find an overview of hardship in...

Warning for Immigrants About Medical and Legalized Marijuana

01/08/2018

As of January 2018, 28 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and 8 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana for adults. Immigrants may reasonably think that using marijuana according to these state laws will not hurt their immigration status. Unfortunately, that's wrong!! It is still a federal offense to possess marijuana, and...

Changes to the Form I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status

01/04/2018

USCIS recently updated the Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status. Among other notable changes, the new form has increased in length from six pages to 18 pages, the form instructions are now 42 pages, and the section on eligibility and inadmissibility has been expanded to include entirely new questions about working without authorization, false claims to U.S. citizenship, and unlawful voting...

Introduction to Conditional Permanent Residence and Filing the Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence (Form I-751)

01/02/2018

This practice advisory is designed to introduce practitioners to the concept of Conditional Permanent Residence, and to explain the requirements and processes for removing the conditions on residence, thereby enabling the conditional resident to obtain Lawful Permanent Residence that can last indefinitely.