As a U.S. citizen, you have a unique opportunity to help your loved ones live permanently in the United States. One of the most common and direct paths to bring loved ones here is to sponsor parents for a green card. This process can allow your mother and father to become lawful permanent residents, granting them the ability to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
Can you sponsor both your parents?
If you are at least 21 years old, you can petition for both your parents. The law considers the parents of U.S. citizens as “immediate relatives.” This means there are no visa quotas for, allowing your parents to skip the long visa queues common in other family preference categories.
How does the petition process work?
To begin the process, you need to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on your parents’ behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once you have submitted the requirements and the USCIS approves your petition, your parents can apply for their green cards.
If your parents already lawfully reside in the U.S., you can file Form I-485 to adjust their status to permanent residents. However, if your parents live outside the U.S., the process takes place through a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
While the filing process is standardized, specific factors can influence the timeline or outcome of a petition.
What issues can you encounter during the petition process?
As part of the petition process, you must first demonstrate your ability to support your parents financially. This is to ensure that your parents will not become a public charge.
You may also encounter complications if your parents have prior immigration violations or past criminal history, as these can trigger inadmissibility rules. For example, a previous visa overstay can make the process more complex and may require additional legal steps.
Because every family’s immigration history is unique, the requirements for a successful petition can vary significantly. If you are considering bringing your parents to the U.S., working with legal counsel can help you identify and address potential hurdles early.