The Brunson Law Firm provides legal assistance to individuals in Family-based Immigration matters. Historically, family reunification has been the principal policy underlying U.S. immigration law. Family-based immigration allows for close relatives of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) to immigrate to the United States. A legal immigrant is a foreign-born individual who has been admitted to reside in the United States as an LPR. These family members immigrate either as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or through the family preference system.

Immediate relatives include the following: spouses of U.S. citizens; unmarried minor children of U.S. citizens, and parents of U.S. citizens over age 21. The family preference system allows the following persons to immigrate: adult children (unmarried and married) of U.S. citizens, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens over 21, and spouses and unmarried children (both minor and adult) of LRRs. There are a limited number of visas available every year under the family preference system.

There are eligibility requirements for obtaining family-based visas which are set forth by statute. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services is responsible for managing visa petitions, applications for citizenship, applications for asylum and refugee status, work authorization, applications for adjustment of status, and adjudications at local service centers. More information on the BCIS can be obtained atwww.immigration.gov.