Family-Based Immigration, Part 1: Marriage to a United States Citizen
One of the most common ways people legally immigrate to the United States is through family connections. As with most subjects in immigration law, family-based immigration is complicated. Different rules apply depending on the type of family relationship involved and the age of the person who wishes to immigrate. Additionally, even if a person fits the correct category, visas may be subject to lengthy waits. Later articles in this series will address other types of family relationships and how they can lead to legal immigration and obtaining lawful permanent residence (LPR). This article, however, addresses one of the most common methods – marriage to a United States Citizen (USC). Most people have some general idea that marriage to a USC can improve their immigration status and lead to LPR. In some cases this belief is true, but other times it is not. Spouses of USC’s are considered “immediate relatives”, and […]