Best Immigration Lawyers in Queens, NY

Immigration Policy The number of family-based immigration visas that may be granted to foreign nationals each year is capped by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a statute of the United States. These immigrant visas are distributed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and a significant portion of immigrant visa eligibility is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A petitioner and a beneficiary must be at least two family members to participate in family-based immigration. To apply for a green card on behalf of a foreign family member, the petitioner must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States. The foreign relative applying for a green card is the beneficiary. In some categories, the beneficiary's spouse and children are eligible to receive benefits as derived beneficiaries. Immediate relative or family preference are the two main categories into which all immigrants with family ties fall. Immediate relations are defined as spouses, parents, and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of U.S. citizens. Family preference categories include all other appropriate relationships. Unfortunately, immigrant visas with the family preference are scarce. This is because immigration law places a numerical limit on the total number of green cards granted annually to family preference categories. As a result, several family preference categories have a backlog and a lengthy wait.