Family-Based Immigration

Relative Petitions

Igbanugo Partners provides sound advice to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who want to petition for their spouses, parents, children and siblings to obtain permanent residence in the United States. We can help you determine which relatives you may petition for to get a green card, assist you with documenting your case, and communicate with the agencies and consulates to ensure the best chance for success. We take great pride in reuniting families who have been separated for months or years.

Family immigration is available to immediate relatives and preference relatives:

Immediate Relatives are spouses, children under age 21 and parents of U.S. citizens. Once the U.S. citizen petitions for these relatives, immigrant visas are immediately available to them and they may apply to adjust to permanent resident status (if they are in the United States) or apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy (if they are abroad).

Preference Relatives need to wait several years to apply for permanent residence, even after the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitions for them, because the number of qualified applicants greatly exceeds the number of immigrant visas available.

  • First Preference Relatives are unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens.
  • Second Preference Relatives are spouses and children of U.S. permanent residence.
  • Third Preference Relatives are married children of U.S. citizens.
  • Fourth Preference Relatives are brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

To find out whether immigrant visas are available to preference relatives, check out the current Visa Bulletin from the Department of State.

VAWA – Victims of Domestic Violence

In some cases, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) permits adults and children who suffer domestic violence to self-petition for permanent residence, instead of relying on the abusive U.S. citizen or permanent resident to petition for them. Igbanugo Partners is highly skilled at documenting abuse and presenting compelling stories that lead to success in VAWA cases.