Introduction
Being a family can be unpredictable. As policies change, and wait times extend for families of immigrants trying to join their loved ones in the U.S. through family-based immigration, life can be very challenging. There are over one million individuals who come to the U.S. each year through family-based visas, mostly as immediate relatives or in one of the family preference categories. It can take years for families to be reunited, and the time in between can be full of uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration.
Define Family-Based Immigration and Its Importance
The immigration policies are changing frequently and can be very confusing for families trying to join their loved ones in the United States through family-oriented migration. These policies are in place to help reunite families and allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to bring family members to the U.S. using the family-based visa categories. Reuniting with family is important to a family’s well-being and that is why two-thirds of over 1 million newcomers to the U.S. each year come through the family-based visa categories.
In addition to the requirements for each of the categories for family-based immigration, families are dealing with increased frustration as the processing times for their family members’ petitions have greatly increased. To assist families struggling with these increased processing times, Vasquez Law Firm is here to discuss how recent immigration policy changes will affect your individual case.
Additionally, the newly created Family Reunification Task Force has been working tirelessly to reunite children with their families and to date has managed to reunite over 600 children with their parents since February 2023. In North Carolina and Florida, two of the most diverse states in the country, families continue to rely on family-based visa categories to achieve stability and opportunity in the U.S.
We are available 24/7 for urgent matters. Virtual consultations for immigration law services are available via Zoom, Google Meet, phone, and more. Our law firm is bilingual and we can communicate with you in English and Spanish.
Explore Family-Based Visa Categories: Immediate Relatives vs. Family Preference
A common way to categorize family-based visa applications is between Immediate Relatives and Family Preference. Immediate Relatives of American citizens include:
- The spouses of American citizens
- The unmarried children of American citizens under the age of 21
- The parents of American citizens
There are no annual numerical limits for Immediate Relatives of American citizens, so applications for members of this group are generally processed more quickly than applications for members of other families. Family Preference visas are awarded to the following categories of relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents:
- Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (F1)
- Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (F2A)
- Married children of U.S. citizens (F3)
- Siblings of U.S. citizens (F4)
Because there are annual numerical limits for members of these categories of relatives, processing time for applications from members of these categories can be quite long and often result in backlogs. For example, applications for members of category F4, the siblings of U.S. citizens, have a wait time of more than a decade and such applications are sent to several countries including Mexico and the Philippines where demand for visas far exceeds supply.
It can be helpful for those considering family-based immigration to understand the various categories of family-based visa applications and how applications from members of one category as opposed to another are treated by the U.S. government. For example, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s MOST RECENT data for FY 2024, 49% of the 1.4 million or so immigrants who obtained a green card in that year were Immediate Relatives of American citizens. As illustrated by several examples above, members of this group generally find it easier to obtain a green card than other family members.
Understand Eligibility Requirements and Application Processes for Family Visas
The immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen apply for the same family-based visa categories that the Family Preference relatives of American citizens and permanent residents do, starting with the immediate relative of the U.S. citizen: spouses of the U.S. citizen, unmarried children under 21 years of age of the U.S. citizen, and parents of U.S. citizens. The petition for the relative’s visa of an Immediate Relative is filed by the U.S. citizen relative using Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
The Family Preference classifications include:
- Unmarried children of ‘green card’ holders
- Spouses and unmarried children of ‘green card’ holders
- Members of the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens’ parents
- Siblings and married children of U.S. citizens
Each of these categories has an annual cap, which typically means that there will be a several year wait for individuals to receive a ‘green card’. For example, the wait time for a sponsor’s sibling is currently over 10 years for an F4 case.
There are several documents that are required to prove the sponsorship of both Immediate Relatives and Family Preference relatives. These include proof of the sponsor’s status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, proof of the relationship between the sponsor and beneficiary, and proof of the sponsor’s ability to support the beneficiary. The main document to support the immigrant relative’s application for permanent residence is the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, which requires the sponsor to declare under penalty of perjury that he or she has the required income or other assets to support the beneficiary.
Familiarizing yourself with the required documents and the process of preparing them for submission can greatly simplify the process and alleviate a great deal of stress and anxiety for both you and your family member. The I-130 petition should be filed as early as possible in order to lock in the earliest possible filing date, thus ensuring the sponsor’s priority date will be processed as early as possible to avoid delays in processing. All sections of the petition must be thoroughly and accurately completed in order to avoid the issuance of an RFE (Requests For Evidence) or denial of the petition. Also, it is crucial to monitor the Visa Bulletin for each category every month since the category may move up unexpectedly. Denial of a petition can have serious and detrimental effects to both the sponsor and beneficiary including jeopardizing their respective statuses as well as subjecting them to potential removal proceedings. For example, an unmarried child of a sponsor will no longer be eligible as a child under the age of 21 if he/she will turn 21 years of age prior to the approval of the Immediate Relative petition and must apply under a separate category as a lawful permanent resident of the sponsor. The Child Status Protection Act may, however, be of assistance to such beneficiary in these circumstances.
Identify Challenges and Backlogs in Family-Based Immigration
Imagine having to wait months to years to be with your closest loved ones. The process of trying to bring family members to the US through family-based immigration is currently filled with many challenges. With 11.3 million pending applications, waiting months or even years to be reunited with family can be difficult enough. The time it takes to process these applications can vary greatly depending on the relationship of the family member to the US citizen or lawful permanent resident applying on their behalf. On average it takes 14.4 months for US citizens to process I-130 family petitions for their closest loved ones. Applications for family members of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can take up to 35.3 months to process for I-130 petitions. Often these family members are from countries such as Mexico and the Philippines where there are already a large number of applications from other family members from these countries in the several family-based visa categories and there are only a limited number of visas available in each category.
More recently, there have been several policy changes as well as greater scrutiny of new applications. This is highlighted by the sharp decline in the approval rate for I-485 Adjustment of Status applications. Specifically, for Cuban nationals, the approval rate for applications filed in 2016 was 70.4%, whereas applications filed in 2019 had an approval rate of only 25.8%, a decline of 44.6 percentage points.
Instead, there are several ways that families of immigrant individuals can gain legal status to live in the United States and Vasquez Law Firm can guide families of immigrant individuals through the many available alternatives. At the Vasquez Law Firm, our experienced team of bilingual immigration attorneys are keenly aware of the many challenges that families of immigrant individuals face in trying to figure out how best to pursue their objectives and we are committed to assisting each of our clients in achieving their objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our competitive immigration fees can be paid in installments and we have a variety of payment plans available to make our services as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that there is no charge to our clients for our services unless we obtain compensation for our clients’ losses and injuries. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle urgent immigration matters and to help our clients take the first step toward reclaiming their future with their loved ones.
Conclusion
Family-Based Immigration Process for Families of US Citizens is Normal! The process to bring family members to the U.S. of families of U.S. citizens has gone through many processes as well. The categories of family-based visas - Immediate Relatives and Family Preference - are also helpful to know. We also look at recent changes in family-based immigration as well as processing times.
Know the family-based immigration categories to help your loved ones join you in the U.S. as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Immediate Relatives generally have the fastest processing times of all the Family-Based categories. Vasquez Law Firm, bilingual immigration lawyers, can help you with immigration matters. We have affordable payment options for you.
If you are trying to reunite with your family or help them build a better future, start by looking for help with your immigration matters and make sure you get the best help for your specific situation and stay informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is family-based immigration?
Family-based immigration refers to the process that allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members to the United States through specific visa categories designed to reunite families.
Why is family-based immigration important?
Family-based immigration is crucial for the well-being of families, as it helps reunite loved ones. Approximately two-thirds of over 1 million newcomers to the U.S. each year enter through family-based visa categories.
What challenges do families face with family-based immigration?
Families often experience increased frustration due to significantly longer processing times for their family members' petitions, which can complicate their efforts to reunite.
How is Vasquez Law Firm assisting families with immigration issues?
Vasquez Law Firm provides support to families navigating the complexities of immigration policies and processing times. They offer consultations to discuss how recent changes may affect individual cases.
What is the Family Reunification Task Force?
The Family Reunification Task Force is an initiative that has successfully reunited over 600 children with their families since February 2023, focusing on reuniting families separated during immigration processes.
What services does Vasquez Law Firm offer for family-based immigration?
Vasquez Law Firm offers bilingual legal services in English and Spanish, virtual consultations via Zoom, Google Meet, or phone, and is available 24/7 for urgent legal matters.
How can families get in touch with Vasquez Law Firm for assistance?
Families can contact Vasquez Law Firm for assistance with family-based immigration issues, including free initial consultations and evaluations across various practice areas.
List of Sources
- Define Family-Based Immigration and Its Importance
- Family-Based Immigration - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/about-immigration/family-based-immigration)
- Family Reunification Task Force | Homeland Security (https://dhs.gov/family-reunification-task-force)
- The RAISE Act: Dramatic Change to Family Immigration, Less So for the Employment-Based System (https://migrationpolicy.org/commentary/raise-act-dramatic-change-family-immigration-less-so-employment-based-system)
- New Immigration Policy Likely To Block Many Family Immigrants (https://forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2025/11/25/new-immigration-policy-likely-to-block-many-family-immigrants)
- Family Immigration Updates 2026: What U.S. Families Need to Know (https://novo-legal.com/en/blog/family-immigration-updates-2026)
- Explore Family-Based Visa Categories: Immediate Relatives vs. Family Preference
- Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States (https://migrationpolicy.org/journal/spotlight/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states)
- Family-Based Green Cards in 2026: What You Need to Know (https://mcbeanlaw.com/family-based-green-cards-in-2026-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-file)
- Great News for the Families of Green Card Holders Holders! (https://akalanlaw.com/great-news-for-the-families-of-green-card-holders-holders)
- Family Preference Visa Wait Times & Priority Dates: 2026 Guide (https://sadjadilaw.com/blog/family-preference-categories)
- U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy (https://congress.gov/crs-product/R43145)
- Understand Eligibility Requirements and Application Processes for Family Visas
- 2026 Family Immigration Rules: What Actually Changed? | SimVisa (https://simvisa.com/blog/current-family-immigration-law-changes)
- Family-Based Green Cards in 2026: What You Need to Know (https://mcbeanlaw.com/family-based-green-cards-in-2026-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-file)
- Family Preference Visa Wait Times & Priority Dates: 2026 Guide (https://sadjadilaw.com/blog/family-preference-categories)
- Family-Based Immigration 2026 | I-130, Green Cards & Visa Bulletin (https://impact-immigration.com/family-based-immigration-2026)
- Visa Bulletin For September 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-september-2026.html)
- Identify Challenges and Backlogs in Family-Based Immigration
- Best Legal - Your Legal Assistant (https://bestlegal.app/articles/how-long-term-visa-delays-are-impacting-family-reunification-in-2026-key-solutions-to-explore-mmc9bq1m)
- Family Immigration Updates 2026: What U.S. Families Need to Know (https://novo-legal.com/en/blog/family-immigration-updates-2026)
- Why family immigration cases are facing longer delays (https://theimmigrationfirm.us/blog/2026/01/why-family-immigration-cases-are-facing-longer-delays)
- USCIS Processing Delays Deepen as Pending Cases Reach 12.1 Million (https://jeelani-law.com/articles/USCIS-processing-delays-deepen)
- Immigration Backlogs are Separating American Families - National Immigration Forum (https://forumtogether.org/article/immigration-backlogs-separating-american-families)
