Our Family Immigration Attorney Can Help Achieve Your Family’s American Dream

Last updated on April 3, 2026

There is no dream like that of bringing your family to the United States for a better life. At ERM Immigration Law, PLLC, we can help you make that dream come true. We believe in working tirelessly to achieve positive results for our clients.

Based in Seattle, we work with people all over the country who have family members living all over the world. The benefit of working with us is our large-firm power combined with our small-firm personal touch. We will give you one-on-one attention and care as we help you bring the people you love to the United States.

Sponsoring a relative? Here’s how to get the immigration moving

If you have a family member who wishes to live and work in the United States, you may be able to help them through the family-based immigration process. This process allows US citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor certain family members for permanent residency in the country. However, the family-based immigration process can be complex, time-consuming and has many potential pitfalls, so before sponsoring a relative for a green card, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements.

There are different categories of family-based green cards, each with specific requirements.

There are no annual numerical limits for immediate relatives of US citizens (spouses, parents and unmarried individuals under 21). At the same time, other family members have a limited number of green cards available each year.

Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient income or assets to support your relative. If you cannot meet the income requirements, you may need to find a joint sponsor who can.

Accurately complete all necessary forms

Accurately completing all necessary forms is crucial for a successful green card application. Even a minor mistake or omission can lead to delays or denials. You’ll need to complete several forms, including the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Ensure that all the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Provide sufficient supporting documents

When applying for a green card, you must provide supporting documents to demonstrate that you and your relative meet the eligibility requirements. These documents may include birth certificates, marriage certificates and proof of your US citizenship or permanent residency. Failure to provide sufficient evidence can lead to delays or denials of your application.

Plan for delays and processing times

The green card application process can take a long time, with processing times varying depending on the category of green card and the USCIS workload. Therefore, planning for potential delays and understanding the expected processing times is essential. Additionally, you should keep track of the application’s status and respond promptly to requests for additional information or documentation.

Sponsoring a relative for a green card can be a complex and time-consuming process. But with proper planning, you can help ensure your application is successful.

How do I bring family members to the U.S.?

There are numerous visas that can be used to bring spouses, fiancé(e)s, children, siblings and other family members here to join you in the United States. The visa that is used depends on your specific situation, such as a K-1 visa for a nonimmigrant fiancé. You can also sponsor a family member for a green card, which allows them to come to the country as a legal permanent resident.

How We Can Help You

Our team handles every aspect of family immigration law. Some of the issues we can help you with include:

• • Green Cards (AOS)
  • K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas
  • Consular Processing Assistance
  • Spouse Visas
  • Family-Based Visas
  • Inadmissibility Waivers (601 or 601A and 212 Waivers)
  • Adjustments of Status in Immigration Court
  • Keeping Families Together – Parole in place (PIP)
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program Assistance
  • LGBTQ Immigration Rights

In our years of experience, we have handled all these matters and more. Our family immigration lawyers understand the many detailed procedures and bureaucracy of the immigration process. We will guide you through it step by step, explaining the law so you can understand your options.

We Care About Your Family’s Story

We became immigration attorneys to unite families and help our clients tell their stories. We enjoy learning about your family’s roots and helping you branch out in the United States. When you work with us, we treat you as more than just clients. The long-term happiness of you and your family is important to us.

Frequently Asked Questions On Family Immigration

Below are some frequently asked questions that can help clarify common concerns families have during the immigration journey.

My spouse, child or parent is an undocumented immigrant. Can I help them get a green card?

In some cases, yes, but it depends on their specific immigration history. If your relative entered the U.S. legally but overstayed a visa, they may be eligible to apply for a green card from within the U.S. through a process called “adjustment of status.”

However, suppose they entered without inspection or have other immigration violations. In that case, they may need to apply for a waiver and complete the process from outside the U.S., which can be risky and complicated.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have certain advantages under the law, but legal guidance is highly recommended in these situations.

What relations qualify for a family-based visa?

Family-based visas are available to many types of family relations, with the first priority going to:

• Spouses
• Children under the age of 21
• Parents of U.S. citizens who are over the age of 21

Aside from the immediate family members listed above, family members in the U.S. may also sponsor:

• Unmarried children (age 21 or older) of U.S. citizens
• Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Unmarried children (21 and older) of lawful permanent residents
• Married children of U.S. citizens
• Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 years of age or older)

Can you bring your fiancé(e) to the United States?

Love knows no boundaries, but the United States government certainly does. If you are a U.S. citizen in love with a non- U.S. citizen, you might want to marry and live together in the U.S.

You may wonder whether you have to wait until after you are married before you can bring your girlfriend or boyfriend to the United States. Or can you get them into the country and marry them here?

You can marry them in the U.S. if they first get a fiancé visa

Officially titled a K-1 visa, this will allow you to marry your non-resident partner in the U.S. However, acceptance is not automatic, and you must understand and abide by the rules.

Firstly, you need to convince the immigration authorities you are marrying for love

You can’t do this by whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ears and smooching in front of the immigration officials, as your future spouse needs to be outside the country when you apply.

Instead, you need to present as much evidence as possible to show your amorous history together. Think photos, videos, love letters and emails. Back it up with anything official that has both of your names on it. For example, rental contracts, hotel reservations or overseas bank loans.

Show you can afford it

You need to prove that your fiancé won’t be a burden on the state. Financial statements from either or both of you can help to show you meet the minimum requirement.

What if you decide not to marry?

You only have 90 days to get married once they arrive in the country. If you dither and miss the date or change your mind, they will typically have to leave the country once 90 days is up.

Consider help to increase your chances of a successful outcome to this or any other immigration issue.

What are the financial requirements for sponsoring a family member?

To sponsor a family member, you must prove that you can support them financially and that they will not become dependent on government assistance. This is done by:

• Filing form I-864
• Affidavit of support
• Showing income that is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size

If your income is not sufficient, you can use assets or even add a joint sponsor to meet the requirement.

Can family members visit the U.S. while their immigration application is pending?

Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. A pending green card application can complicate efforts to get a visitor visa since the government may question whether your relative truly intends to return home.

Your relative must show they plan to leave the U.S. after their visit and that they are not trying to bypass the regular immigration process.

What is the Child Status Protection Act, and how does it affect family immigration?

The CSPA helps certain children remain eligible for immigration benefits even if they turn 21 during the application process.

It uses a special formula to “freeze” a child’s age at key points in the case, offering protection against delays that might otherwise cause them to age out.

Making the process work

If your family member is eligible and wants to join you in the U.S., the legal process must be handled with care. Mistakes in visa applications and other paperwork can turn a relatively easy process into a prolonged struggle. In some cases, delays arising from such mistakes can last for months, even years.

Some common mistakes include failing to demonstrate a marriage is valid and failing to show the sponsor is able to provide adequate financial support. If you are sponsoring a spouse or fiancé(e), there are certain requirements you must meet to demonstrate to immigration officials that your relationship is, indeed, legitimate. If you are sponsoring a child or other family member who will be financially dependant on you, you must demonstrate that you have the means of providing financial support.

Give yourself peace of mind by enlisting the services of an experienced family immigration lawyer who has helped numerous people, and their family members, realize the dream of living and working in the United States.