Source: http://www.visasto.us/areas-of-immmigration-law/family-immigration/
Timestamp: 2017-11-19 21:43:02
Document Index: 14170750

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1101', '§101', '§1153', '§203', '§1153', '§203', '§1153', '§203']

Immigration Law Green Card Work Visas Labor Certification Waivers Citizenship Deportation Defense - Family Immigration
Persons who have a familial relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) may seek permanent resident status through a petition filed by a family member.
Spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21 A “child” is defined generally as an unmarried person under the age of 21. 8 USC §1101(b)(1); INA §101(b)(1). Under the statutory definition, a married person, or person over 21, would be a son or daughter rather than a child. of U.S. citizens qualify as "immediate relatives" and are not subject to numerical limitations, therefore the timeline within which they can obtain a Green Card is relatively short.
Other relationships are subject to an annual quota system:
First Preference: unmarried sons and daughters over the age of 21 of U.S. citizens; 8 USC §1153(a)(1); INA §203(a)(1).
Second Preference: spouses and children of LPRs (2A) and unmarried sons and daughters of LPRs (2B); 8 USC §§1153(a)(2)(A), (B); INA §203(a)(2)(A), (B).
Third Preference: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; §1153(a)(3); INA §203(a)(
See Visa Bulletin for current Priority Dates (located under Useful Links tab)
Green Card petition based on a marriage to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
Waiver of conditions on residence after 2 years of marriage
Obtaining permanent green card after a divorce from a US citizen
Green Card petitions for parents and children
Consulting on age-out of children issues
If you have been married to a US Citizen less than 2 years when your Form I-485 is approved, you will receive a conditional permanent residence status or “green card” from USCIS. Ninety (90) days before the second anniversary of your conditional permanent residence, you and your spouse must apply together (Form I-751) to remove the conditions on your lawful permanent residence. To do so, you must prove the marriage is in “good faith” and valid. Once the conditions are removed, you have lawful permanent residency that is not dependent on your U.S. spouse.
Depending on the circumstances, there are several ways that immigrants who become victims of domestic violence may apply for legal immigration status for themselves and their children. A victim’s application is confidential and no one, including an abuser, crime perpetrator, or family member, will be told that you applied.
1. Self-Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): spouses and children of abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residents who have subjected them to battery or extreme cruelty; parents of abusive U.S. citizen children (if children are over 21). Self-Petitions under VAWA allow the victims to apply for legal permanent residency without the help or knowledge of the abuser.
2. Battered Spouse Waivers under VAWA: conditional permanent resident who has been subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse. Allows the victim to remove the conditions on permanent residence without the help or knowledge of the abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse.
3. Cancellation of Removal under VAWA (requested in immigration court): spouses and children of abusive U.S. citizens who have subjected them to battery or extreme cruelty and who are in removal proceedings before an immigration judge; parent of a child or step-child who is abused by a U.S. citizen. Among other requirements, victim must have been in the United States for longer than 3 years, and show that removal will cause the victim extreme hardship. Allows the victim to request that the immigration judge cancel the removal proceedings and grant the victim lawful permanent residency.
4. U-nonimmigrant status (crime victims): victims of certain serious crimes, including domestic violence, who have
suffered substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of criminal activity in the United States. Requires victims to cooperate in the criminal investigation or prosecution. Allows victims to receive a “U visa,” and, after 3 years, if they can prove humanitarian need, public interest, or family unity reasons, to apply for lawful permanent residency.