Helping a family member obtain legal status in the United States and become a permanent resident of the United States can be important for many families. In most circumstances, the family member must be legally in the country to qualify but there may be some exceptions so it is important to know what those are. There are several different options for family immigration and it is helpful to know what they are and how they work.
In some circumstances, re-entry rules may help which allow those who are in the country illegally to leave and return after a certain period of time has passed. Additionally, individuals who have suffered abuse and are spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders but are in the country illegally may petition to remain in the country and obtain legal status of their own under the Violence Against Women Act which typically requires them to file charges against their abuser.
Additionally, those who have been in the country illegally for 10 years or longer but can demonstrate an undue hardship to their spouse or immediate family members if they were to be removed and deported, may be able to obtain a deportation order. Additional options may also be available depending on the circumstances. Immigration law and how it is enforced can change so it is helpful to have trained guidance through the process.
Issues surrounding immigration and families can be highly emotional and challenging. As a result, the better those facing immigration situations understand about the process and their rights, the less they may experience the anxiety oftentimes associated with the process and may be able to achieve positive outcomes for themselves and their family members.
Source: Immigration.findlaw.com, “Helping a Family Member Get Legal Status,” Accessed Aug. 2, 2017
