Explore U.S. immigration with us. Pick an option from the list below to learn more about your situation.
I want:
to bring family to the U.S.
to apply for:
help with a complex issue:
Find family-based immigration options with us
Who can bring family to the U.S.?
To be eligible to bring family to the United States, you must be either:
Which family members can you bring?
As a U.S. citizen, a U.S. Green Card Holder, or an Eligible Refugee or Asylee, you may be able to bring the following relatives to the United States.
There are conditions for each situation. Your eligibility, or the eligibility of your family member, may be dependent on your age and the age or marital status of your family members, among other criteria.
Eligible family of U.S. citizens
Depending on your situation, as a U.S citizen, you may be able to bring:
Eligible family of U.S. green card holders
Depending on your situation, as a U.S. green card holder (permanent resident), you may be able to bring:
Eligible family of refugee or asylee
Depending on your situation, as a refugee or asylee, you may be able to bring:
Apply for a Fiancé Visa
A Fiancé Visa allows the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for 90 days so that your wedding may take place here. After you marry, your spouse may apply for permanent residence.
A U.S. citizen who wishes to marry a foreign national may help their intended spouse to apply for a Fiancé Visa by filing a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). If this is approved, your fiancé will be invited to apply for the actual Fiancé Visa from the U.S. consulate nearest them, abroad.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Bring your spouse to the U.S.
As a U.S. citizen, a U.S. green card holder (permanent resident), or an asylee or refugee you may apply to bring your spouse (husband or wife) to live in the United States.
If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. green card holder (permanent resident), your spouse may come to live in the United States as a U.S. green card holder (permanent resident).
If you are a refugee or asylee, your spouse may come to live in the United States with derivative refugee or asylum status.
A U.S. citizen may help their spouse to obtain permanent residence by filing a Petition for Alien Relative. If your spouse is inside the United States (through lawful admission), you may file an Application to Adjust Status at the same time.
A U.S. green card holder (permanent resident) may help their spouse to obtain permanent residence by filing a Petition for Alien Relative. If your spouse is outside the United States, they will need to pursue consular processing at the consulate or embassy nearest them, abroad.
An asylee or refugee who was granted asylum or entered the United States as a refugee within the last two years may apply for derivative refugee or asylum status for their spouse by filing a Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Petition for an immediate family member
As a U.S. citizen, U.S. green card holder (permanent resident), or refugee or asylee, you may petition to bring certain members of your immediate family to the United States as U.S. green card holders (permanent residents) or refugees/asylees.
A U.S. citizen may to apply to bring their children, parents (if you are over the age of 21), or siblings (if you are over the age of 21) to the United States as U.S green card holders (permanent residents) by filing a Petition for Alien Relative.
A U.S green card holder (permanent resident) may apply to bring their children to the United States as U.S. green card holders (permanent residents) by filing a Petition for Alien Relative.
A refugee or asylee, who entered the United States as a refugee or was granted asylum status within the last two years, may apply to bring an unmarried child under the age of 21 to the United States with derivative refugee or asylum status by filing a Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
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Applying for citizenship
Depending on your situation, you may be interested in obtaining U.S. citizenship through one of two options: Naturalization or Acquisition.
Naturalization is the way that somebody who was not born in the United States can voluntarily obtain U.S. citizenship.
Acquisition is the way that a child (under the age of 18) born to a U.S. citizen may be automatically eligible to obtain citizenship if they were born outside the United States.
Eligibility: You may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship if you fall into one of the following categories and meet further requirements:
If eligible, you may apply for U.S. citizenship by submitting an Application for Naturalization.
Citizenship test: The Naturalization process includes an interview, test and ceremony. The test will include an English language component (reading, writing, and speaking tests), and a civics component (U.S. history and government test). You may qualify to take the test in your native language through a combination of your age and the number of years you have been a green card holder (permanent resident). It is important to seek help or study resources to ensure you are prepared.
Criminal issues: If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime or offense, at ANY TIME and in ANY COUNTRY, this may impact your eligibility for citizenship. Please seek legal advice from a licensed attorney if you have any criminal history.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Applying for DACA renewal
An individual who has previously been granted deferred action under DACA, may apply for a DACA renewal and employment authorization by completing a Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Application for Employment Authorization.
USCIS aims to process DACA renewal requests within 120 days. If granted, the renewed deferred action under DACA will be valid for 12 months.
To be eligible to apply for a renewal, you must have continuously resided in the United States and not been convicted of a felony or significant/multiple misdemeanors.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Applying for asylum
Asylum may be available to you if you have been persecuted in your home country or fear future persecution if you return to your home country. The persecution must be due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
If you are seeking asylum, you will need to be physically present in the United States in order to apply. The affirmative asylum process also includes biometrics, security and background checks, and an interview.
Bringing family: You may be able to apply for derivative asylee status to bring certain family members to the United States based on your own status.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Applying for a green card renewal
If you are a green card holder with lawful permanent residency and your green card is expired or will expire shortly, you will need to renew it by filing an Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. You may also need to renew your green card because your details have changed, your card was lost or stolen, or for another reason.
You may file your renewal application no more than six months in advance of the expiration date on your current card.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice immigration law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Applying for removal of conditions
If you are a conditional permanent resident, your green card is valid for two years. In order to remain in the United States after this two year period, you must file to remove the conditions from your permanent resident status.
You may have conditional permanent residence if you are married to a U.S. citizen and became a U.S. green card holder (permanent resident) while your marriage was less than two years old.
In order to remove the conditions from your permanent resident status, you must file a Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence within the 90-day period before your current conditional green card expires.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Applying for military parole in place
As the spouse, widow(er), parent, or child of an active-service member, member of the special reserve, or individual who (whether living or deceased) previously served in the U.S. armed forces, you may be eligible for parole in place in one-year increments.
Parole in place gives you the right to live and work in the United States for 12-months and can provide an opportunity to adjust status to permanent residency where the applicant has no other issues of inadmissibility or deportability.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Learn about complex immigration issues with us
Information for victims of criminal activity
If you have suffered mental or physical abuse as a victim of certain crimes, you may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa). The U nonimmigrant status is set aside to better protect those who are victims and who are able to help law enforcement or government officials to investigate and prosecute criminal activity.
If the crime violated U.S. law or occurred in the United States, you may eligible for a U Visa if:
To apply for a U Visa, you must file a Petition for U Nonimmigration Status and prove that you meet the above eligibility requirements.
Bringing family: You may be able to include certain family members in your petition.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Information on provisional unlawful presence waivers
If you are an Alien, currently residing unlawfully in the United States, and required to travel abroad to pursue consular processing for an immigrant visa (including Diversity Visa), you may find yourself stuck outside the United States once you leave. If you exit the United States having accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence here, you will become inadmissible and be subject to the unlawful presence bar.
In order to avoid this situation, you may be able to apply for a waiver for inadmissibility for unlawful presence, BEFORE you depart the United States for your immigration interview abroad, by completing the Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver.
The provisional waiver is only available in cases where unlawful presence is the only issue. If you have a criminal history or multiple entries without permission, this benefit may not be available to you. This waiver is also based on your U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident spouse or parents. It cannot be based on your children.
It is especially critical to consult an attorney to determine your eligibility for this waiver.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Domestic violence
If you are a victim of violence committed by:
you may be eligible for a green card under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
VAWA applies equally to both men and women. It is not limited to women only.
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Misrepresentation issue
If you have obtained an immigration benefit - including entry into the United States - through fraud or misrepresentation, you may need a waiver.
If you have a misrepresentation issue, seek the advice of an attorney prior to applying for any immigration benefit (including citizenship).
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
Criminal issues
Your criminal history never goes away for the purposes of immigration. Certain arrests, detentions, and convictions may make you inadmissible or deportable.
If you have a criminal history, seek the advice of an attorney prior to applying for any immigration benefit (including citizenship).
Be aware: ONLY A LICENSED ATTORNEY CAN GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. Please don't become a victim of Notario fraud.
What we do: Laureen Lane is an attorney licensed in the state of California and able to practice law in all 50 states. Laureen is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. At Laureen Lane Law, we can advise you on your personal situation, assess your options, and ensure your case is filed properly.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this page DOES NOT constitute legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact a licensed attorney.