Family Related Immigration
The Law Offices of Deborah L. Karpatian, located in Glendale, California, has represented immigrants and residents in matters concerning Family Related Immigration throughout the Los Angeles area, as well as the cities of Burbank, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Pasadena, Alhambra, Monrovia, San Gabriel, and Alameda.
International Marriage and Divorce
Our Los Angeles immigration attorneys handle all cases involving a U.S. resident entering marriage or filing for divorce from a non-resident of the United States. The foreign spouse of any U.S. citizen is eligible for a K3 visa. The couple must be legally eligible to marry and must have married according to the laws of the place of marriage. The marriage can occur either in the US or in a foreign country.
This involves the Marriage Visa (also known as the K3 Visa or Spousal Visa), which was created for bringing a foreign spouse into the U.S. It still takes several months on average to process the K3 visa. U.S. citizens often believe incorrectly that they can marry overseas and obtain a marriage visa for their foreign spouses on short notice, then board the next plane together headed for the U.S. We also handle immigration fraud cases where a foreigner marries an American in order to obtain a U.S. green card.
Battered Spouse Petitions
Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed by Congress in 1994, battered spouses and children of United States citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPR) may self-petition to obtain lawful permanent residency. The immigration provisions of VAWA allow certain battered immigrants to file for immigration relief without the abuser's assistance or knowledge, in order to seek safety and independence from the abuser. The victim(s) must be legally married to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident batterer. A self-petition may be filed if the marriage was terminated by the abusive spouse's death within the two years prior to filing. A self-petition may also be filed if the marriage to the abusive spouse was terminated, within the two years prior to filing, by divorce related to the abuse.
Family Immigration Matters
To be eligible to sponsor a relative to immigrate to the United States you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and be able to provide documentation proving your status.
- You must prove that you can support your relative at 125% above the mandated poverty line. Click here to find out more information about meeting this criteria and filing the Affidavit of Support.
- If you are a US Citizen you may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the United States; however you must be able to provide proof of the relationships:
- Husband or wife;
- Unmarried child under 21 years old;
- Unmarried son or daughter over 21;
- Married son or daughter of any age;
- Brother or sister, if you are at least 21 years old ; or
- Parent, if you are at least 21 years old .
If you are a lawful permanent resident you may petition for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the United States; however you must be able to provide proof of the relationships as either husband or wife; or unmarried son or daughter of any age.
To be eligible for lawful permanent residence based on a family relationship you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a relative who is a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who can provide documentation proving their status and is willing to sponsor you for lawful permanent residency by filing the I-130.
- Your relative must prove they can support you by providing documentation that their income is 125% above the mandated poverty line for their family, including you and all other sponsored family members.
- If your relative is a U.S. citizen and they can legally prove you share one of the following relationships, you may be eligible for lawful permanent residency based on the following relationships:
- Husband or wife;
- A child under 21 years old;
- Unmarried son or daughter over 21;
- Married son or daughter of any age;
- Brother or sister if you are at least 21 years old; or
- Parents if you are at least 21 years old.
If your relative is a lawful permanent resident and they can legally prove you share one of the following relationships, as Husband or wife; or unmarried son or daughter of any age.
If you have legal concerns regarding Family Related Immigration, contact us today for a consultation. Our Los Angeles immigration and naturalization lawyers will help you with any questions you may have.
