Immigration and Naturalization

Family & Marriage Based Immigration Practice

You can become a lawful permanent resident based on the fact that you have a relative who is a citizen of the United States, or a relative who is a lawful permanent resident. The relative sponsor must meet the following two main requirements:

a. The relative sponsor must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. The relatives which may be sponsored as an immigrant vary depending on whether the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

If the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen, they may petition for the following relatives:

1. Husband or wife

2. Unmarried child under 21 years of age

3. Unmarried son or daughter over 21

4. Married son or daughter of any age

5. Brother or sister, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old, or

6. Parent, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old.

If the sponsor is a lawful permanent resident, they may petition for the following relatives:

1. Husband or wife, or

2. Unmarried son or daughter of any age.

b. The relative sponsor must prove that they can support you at 125% above the mandated poverty line

If you are considering sponsoring a family member for permanent residency, contact US Immigration Attorney Rami Lee for a free initial consultation to review your specific case. Our US Immigration Attorneys represents local, national, and international clients obtain green cards through a family member every day. Our Pittsburgh Immigration Lawyer offers early morning, late evening, and weekend appointments.

Family-Based Permanent Residence Process

The USCIS must file and obtain an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Relative filed by the sponsor with proof of the sponsor's relationship to you.
The Department of State must determine if an immigrant visa number is immediately available to you. When an immigrant visa number is available, it means you can apply to have one of the immigrant visa numbers assigned to you.
If you are already in the United States, you may apply to change your status to that of a lawful permanent resident after a visa number becomes available to you. If you are outside the United States when an immigrant visa number becomes available, you must then go to the U.S. consulate servicing the area in which you reside to complete your processing.

If you are seeking to sponsor a family member to the United States, contact US Immigration Attorney Rami Lee for a free initial consultation to determine exactly how long you may have to wait before you can be reunited with your family member. Our US Immigration Attorney helps local, national, and international clients come to the United States every day to be with their families. Our Pittsburgh Immigration Lawyer offers early morning, late evening, and weekend appointments.

Marriage-Based Permanent Residence Options

Fiancé(e) K1 Visa

This visa allows US Citizens to bring their foreign fiancé(e)s to the US in order to get married. The US Citizen must file a petition for the foreign fiancé(e) in the US, obtain approval, then continue processing with the National Visa Center, and finally the foreign fiancé(e) must attend a visa appointment at the US Consulate in his/her home country to obtain the K1 visa stamp in his/her passport allowing her entry into the US. Upon entering the US, the US Citizen and foreign fiancé(e) must get married within 90 days of his/her entry and file for the foreign fiancé(e) adjustment of status. K2 visa allows unmarried children (under the age of 21) of the foreign fiancé(e) to move to the US as well.

If you are looking to sponsor your fiance to the United States, contact US Immigration Attorney Rami Lee for a free initial consultation. Our Pittsburgh Immigration Lawyer offers early morning, late evening, and weekend appointments. Our US Immigration Attorneys helps local, national, and international clients enter the US on a K1 visa. Contact her today to see how she can help you, a friend, or a family member.

Removal of Conditional Residence

For foreign nationals who obtain a green card based a marriage of less than two years will be given a conditional two year green card. Prior to the expiration of the two year green card, the couple must file an application to remove the conditional residence and obtain a permanent ten year green card.

If you are eligible to apply to remove the conditional residency on your green card, contact US Immigration Attorney Rami Lee for a free initial consultation. Our US Immigration Attorney helps clients remove conditional residency and obtain their permanent residency in all 50 states. Our Pittsburgh Immigration Lawyer offers early morning, late evening, and weekend appointments.

US Citizenship and Naturalization

To apply for US Citizenship and Naturalization, you must meet the following criteria:

you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years or at least three years for spouses of US Citizens (with exceptions for refugees, people who get their green card through political asylum, and U.S. military personnel)
you have been physically present in the United States for at least half of the last five years
you have lived in the district or state where you are filing your application for at least three months
you have not spent more than a year outside the United States
you have not made your primary home in another country
you are at least 18 years old
you have good moral character
you are able to speak, read, and write in English
you are able to pass a test covering U.S. history and government
you are willing to swear that you believe in the principles of the U.S. Constitution and will be loyal to the United States.

If you are in the process of applying for US Citizenship or need immigration help on how to obtain US Citizenship, contact US Immigration Attorney Rami Lee for a free initial consultation. Our Pittsburgh Immigration Lawyer offers early morning, late evening, and weekend appointments. Our US Immigration Attorney helps immigrants obtain US Citizenship and Naturalization across the nation in all 50 states. Contact her today to see how she can help you.