Office Location is Irving, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Office Location is Irving, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bringing your family together under one roof shouldn’t feel like an impossible task. For many immigrants, reuniting with loved ones is the heart of the American dream, but the legal path can be overwhelming. Between changing laws, complex paperwork, and lengthy wait times, it’s easy to feel uncertain about where to start or how to proceed.
At John W. Lawit, LLC, we understand how deeply personal and emotional the immigration process can be. That’s why our team is here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and over four decades of immigration law experience. Whether you’re petitioning for a spouse, child, parent, or fiancé, we’re ready to help you navigate the system and take the next step toward reuniting your family.
Family-based immigration enables U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (also known as green card holders) to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence in the United States. It’s one of the most common and meaningful paths to legal residency, particularly for families who have been separated by distance and borders for years.
The process begins with a petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), using Form I-130 to establish a valid relationship between the petitioner and their relative. U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouses, children (married or unmarried), parents, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents, on the other hand, may petition for their spouses and unmarried children. These relationships are divided into two main categories: immediate relatives, which include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens, and family preference categories, which cover more distant relationships and typically involve longer wait times due to annual visa limits. You can view these categories and current visa availability in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.
After the petition is approved, your family member may apply for a green card either through adjustment of status (if they are already in the U.S.) or through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Wait times can vary significantly depending on the family category and the applicant’s country of origin, which is why having knowledgeable legal guidance from the outset is crucial.
When your family’s future is on the line, choosing the right immigration attorney can make all the difference. At John W. Lawit, LLC, we bring over 40 years of focused immigration law experience to every case we handle. Our firm has helped thousands of families navigate the complex U.S. immigration system and reunite with loved ones, whether through green card petitions, fiancé(e) visas, or consular processing.
What sets us apart is not just our legal knowledge, it’s our commitment to treating every client like family. We understand that immigration is never just paperwork; it’s about real people, real hopes, and real sacrifices. That’s why our team provides legal support that is both compassionate and culturally sensitive, tailored to the diverse backgrounds of our clients throughout Albuquerque and beyond.
As a trusted Albuquerque immigration law firm, we also bring a deep understanding of regional USCIS trends, consular practices, and how local developments can affect your case. Whether you’re just beginning the process or facing unexpected obstacles, we’re here to guide you with confidence and care.
Starting a family immigration case can feel overwhelming, but with the proper legal support, the journey becomes more transparent and more manageable. At John W. Lawit, LLC, we guide you through every step of the process, so you never have to face it alone.
It begins with a one-on-one consultation, where we listen carefully to your family’s story, goals, and concerns. From there, we develop a tailored legal strategy based on your eligibility, immigration history, and the visa options available to you. Once we’ve created a roadmap, we handle all necessary filings and paperwork, including Form I-130 and supporting evidence, making sure everything is complete, accurate, and timely.
Throughout the process, we manage communication with USCIS and guide you or your family member through any interviews or requests for additional evidence. If your case requires consular processing, we’ll help you prepare for appointments abroad and coordinate closely with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling the visa. After approval, we continue to assist with follow-up steps, including green card delivery, status updates, and long-term planning if desired.
Working with a local Albuquerque attorney means we’re not only accessible, but also deeply familiar with the nuances of immigration trends in the region. Our experience with USCIS field offices, consular delays, and processing patterns allows us to anticipate challenges and support your family more effectively.
Family reunification isn’t one-size-fits-all. U.S. immigration law provides several visa options for families, depending on the relationship, immigration status of the petitioner, and whether the family member is already in the country or applying from abroad. Understanding which category applies to your situation is a crucial first step in planning your journey, and the proper legal guidance can help you make informed, confident decisions.
Immediate relative visas are reserved for the closest family relationships and are not subject to annual limits, which means they are generally processed faster than other family-based categories. This makes them an ideal option for families seeking quicker reunification.
Because these relationships are considered especially close, the government does not place annual limits on the number of visas issued in this category. As a result, petitions for immediate relatives typically move faster through the system than those in the preference categories, making them one of the most effective options for prompt family reunification.
Unlike immediate relative visas, family preference visas are subject to annual limits, meaning a set number of visas is available each year. As a result, applicants in these categories often face longer wait times, sometimes several years, depending on their relationship to the petitioner and their country of origin. However, these visas remain a vital pathway for the reunification of extended family.
For those engaged to be married to a U.S. citizen, the K‑1 fiancé(e) visa allows the foreign national to enter the U.S. to marry their sponsor within 90 days. After marriage, they may apply for a green card via adjustment of status.
Introduced in the late 1990s, V visas facilitate certain green card petitions filed by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, particularly spouses and minor children, by allowing them to enter and remain in the U.S. while their immigrant visa petition is pending. These visas are less common today, but may still apply in select cases.
Due to the annual caps, the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin is a crucial resource for tracking visa availability and priority dates. The official Visa Bulletin illustrates the current visa wait times and cutoff dates, which are essential for understanding processing timelines in the family preference categories.
Understanding which family preference category your loved one fits into, and what that means for processing times, is essential for planning a successful immigration strategy. An experienced attorney can help you navigate this process with clarity and care.
Visa availability for preference categories is tracked through the priority date, which is the date USCIS receives your Form I-130 petition. You can check your category’s current status and visa cutoff dates by reviewing the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin each month.
Pay close attention to your priority date and country of chargeability, as these factors determine how long your family member may need to wait before a visa is available. Immediate relatives are exempt from this wait, but preference categories can range from several months to multiple years.
Even with the best preparation, family immigration cases can run into obstacles. From past immigration violations to simple paperwork errors, these issues can delay, or even derail, your petition. At John W. Lawit, LLC, we’re here to help you navigate these challenges and protect your family’s immigration future.
One of the most common roadblocks involves grounds of inadmissibility, such as past visa overstays, unlawful presence in the U.S., or certain criminal convictions. These issues don’t automatically end your chances, but they do require additional legal steps. In many cases, families can apply for an I-601 or I-601A waiver, which requests that the U.S. government forgive inadmissibility based on extreme hardship to a qualifying relative. These waivers are complex and require strong legal arguments and detailed documentation, something our team is highly experienced in preparing.
Another hurdle families may face is receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS. This means the government requires additional information to make an informed decision. Responding promptly and thoroughly is critical, and having an attorney to guide your response can make the difference between approval and denial.
If a case has already been denied, not all hope is lost. In some situations, you may be able to file an appeal, a motion to reopen, or a motion to reconsider. Our legal team evaluates your case history, identifies options, and helps you take the right next step.
No matter the setback, we believe every family deserves a fair chance, and we’re here to fight for yours with skill, strategy, and compassion.
Family is everything, and at John W. Lawit, LLC, we’re committed to helping you bring yours together through trusted immigration guidance and compassionate legal care. Whether you’re just starting your petition, facing delays, or unsure which path is right for your loved ones, you don’t have to face it alone.
As a seasoned Albuquerque immigration law firm, we combine decades of experience with local expertise to provide your family with the strongest possible foundation. Let us help you navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and the dedication your case deserves.
📞 Call us today at (214) 609-2242 or schedule your consultation online to take the first step toward reuniting your family.
