Family-based immigration allows people to maintain their connections with their closest loved ones. Many legal and biological relationships can qualify people for family-based immigration opportunities.
A professional who obtains a work visa can help their spouse and minor children get related visas so that everyone stays together. Immigrants with green cards may be able to help certain loved ones enter the United States. Their closest family members may even qualify for green cards of their own.
The most expansive family-based immigration rights only apply to citizens of the United States. Those hoping to bring any of the three family members mentioned below into the country may need to naturalize and become citizens to help their loved ones.
Married children
Visa holders and permanent residents can help unmarried minor children enter the United States. Green card holders can help unmarried children over the age of 21 obtain green cards with a family preference visa. There are fewer opportunities for married children. Parents whose children already have spouses can usually only help them immigrate if they first become citizens.
Parents
Many people owe their success in life to their parents. Immigrants often initially enter the country with only their immediate family members. After they acclimate, they may reach out to loved ones still living abroad. They may want to offer their parents a comfortable retirement in the United States. They may also need the support that parents offer as they continue to develop their career and their family. Those hoping to sponsor their parents for green cards typically need to be citizens who are already at least 18 years of age.
Siblings
The bonds between siblings can last a lifetime, but distance can keep them apart for years. Those with visas and green cards usually cannot help their brothers and sisters enter the United States. Citizenship is necessary for an immigrant’s siblings to obtain green cards. For some immigrants, love of their family members might motivate them to become naturalized citizens. That way, they can help their family members legally enter the United States.
Learning about family-based immigration might lead to those living in the United States to set new goals for their own immigration process. After all, citizenship can help people support loved ones other than their spouses and children.