Families built across borders deserve the chance to share daily life in the same home. At Dominguez Law Firm, we help U.S. citizens and permanent residents reunite with loved ones in Florida and throughout the country. Family-based immigration remains the most common path to a green card, but its rules can feel overwhelming once deadlines, affidavits, and interviews begin to stack up.
Ready to start the process? Schedule a consultation with our team so we can map your next steps today.
The fastest track applies to “immediate relatives” of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21) and parents when the sponsoring child is at least 21. Because visa numbers are always available in this class, an immigration lawyer can often secure permanent residence in roughly 10 to 14 months, depending on the local USCIS field office. USCIS posts current processing times on its website.
Married sons and daughters, adult children of permanent residents, and siblings of U.S. citizens fall into the Family Preference system (F 1 through F 4). Congress caps how many of these visas are issued each year, so applicants wait until their priority date becomes current. An immigration attorney monitors the monthly Visa Bulletin to confirm when the National Visa Center will invite you to submit documents.
Every petition begins with Form I-130. Once USCIS approves it, eligible relatives inside the United States may file Form I-485 to adjust status, while relatives abroad attend consular processing after paying their invoice. Our family immigration lawyer gathers civil records, drafts relationship affidavits, and tracks receipt notices to avoid delays. For a full checklist of required evidence, visit our Family Based Petitions page.
You will need:
Officers review photos, joint leases, bank statements, and travel logs to confirm a couple did not wed solely for immigration benefits. Interviews can feel intimidating. Our firm offers mock sessions, document-organization tips, and plain-language explanations so answers remain clear and consistent.
Except for immediate relatives, your place in line depends on the “priority date”, the day USCIS receives the I-130. Each month the Department of State publishes cutoff dates. When the bulletin shows a date the same or later than yours, you may submit final paperwork. Because tables shift often, a family-based immigration attorney should verify eligibility before you pay fees and schedule exams.
Once your spouse, child, or parent arrives with an immigrant visa, the physical green card usually arrives by mail within weeks. New residents can apply for a Social Security number, enroll children in school, and accept employment. If the marriage was less than two years old when entry occurred, USCIS will issue a conditional card valid for 24 months. Our firm then files Form I-751 to remove conditions and protect continuous status.
Special programs fill critical gaps. Widows, abused spouses, and certain crime victims may self-petition under humanitarian statutes. K-3 visas allow couples to live together while the I-130 is pending, and the Child Status Protection Act can freeze a minor’s age so visa backlogs do not separate families. Advance legal planning preserves unity and eases stress for everyone involved.
The checklist below distills the practical steps we see making the greatest difference in current filings. Following these tips helps families file clean applications, avoid preventable delays, and maintain momentum while their petitions advance through USCIS and consular review.
Dominguez Law Firm stands ready to guide Coral Gables families through every petition, affidavit, and interview required to bring loved ones home. Our commitment is practical advice, meticulous filing, and clear communication from the first consultation to green card delivery. If you are ready to reunite with family, contact us today and put our firm on your side.