Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Silver Spring, Maryland

Who Can Petition for a Family Member?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs/green card holders) can file family-based petitions. The categories and priority dates differ depending on your status and your relationship to the beneficiary.

U.S. citizens may sponsor their spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents, and siblings. LPRs may sponsor their spouse and unmarried children. Family preference categories have annual numerical limits, meaning some relatives may wait in line while their priority date becomes current.

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (no numerical limit)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen or LPR
• Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over 21)
• Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens
• Children and spouses of LPRs

The Family Immigration Process

The process typically begins with filing a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing, and eventually the beneficiary either adjusts status in the U.S. or applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Attorney Fogam will assess whether your family member is eligible to adjust status inside the United States or must travel abroad for consular processing — a critical distinction that affects timelines and strategy.

Throughout the process, we ensure all supporting documents are gathered, forms are correctly completed, and you are prepared for any required interviews or biometrics appointments. We also advise on potential bars to admission, grounds of inadmissibility, and available waivers.

• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• National Visa Center (NVC) document submission
• Adjustment of status (Form I-485) for applicants in the U.S.
• Consular processing at U.S. embassies abroad
• Interview preparation for both USCIS and consular interviews
• Inadmissibility waivers (I-601, I-601A, I-212)

VAWA, U Visa, and Humanitarian Family Pathways

Family immigration is not limited to the traditional petition pathway. Victims of domestic violence, criminal activity, and trafficking may qualify for protection through VAWA self-petitions, U visas, and T visas, respectively. These special immigrant pathways allow eligible individuals to pursue lawful status independently of their abuser or trafficker.

Attorney Fogam has particular expertise in these protective pathways. If you or a family member is in a vulnerable situation, our office provides confidential consultations to assess all available options.

We also assist with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned, and with humanitarian parole for urgent family reunification situations.

• VAWA self-petitions for domestic violence survivors
• U Visa for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement
• T Visa for victims of human trafficking
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• Humanitarian parole and advance parole
• Family separation emergency assistance

Required Documents and Timeline

Every family immigration case requires a specific set of supporting documents. Commonly required evidence includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, passport photos, financial support documentation (Form I-864), and evidence of the qualifying relationship (joint tax returns, lease agreements, photos, correspondence).

Processing times vary widely depending on the visa category, your family member's country of birth, and current USCIS caseloads. Immediate relative cases for spouses and children of U.S. citizens are typically faster (6–18 months) while preference category cases can take years to decades for certain countries. Our office provides realistic timeline projections during your strategy session.