Family-based petitions can be presented by United States Citizens on behalf of spouses, children and siblings. Lawful Permanent Residents may petition for spouses and children. Depending on who is petitioning and the relationship he/she has with the beneficiary, the process may take anywhere from a few months to several years. This is set forth in the Visa Bulletin which is updated each month by the U.S. Department of State.

SMA handles family petitions of all kinds, and in all types of situations. U.S. citizens may petition for relatives who are outside the U.S., who are inside the U.S. legally (and must adjust their status to legal resident) and those who are in the U.S. illegally as well. SMA handles the petition filing and follow-up, as well as the preparation of the client for consular processing of their immigrant visa.

When the beneficiary is out of the U.S. and is legally inadmissible for reasons of previous deportation, criminal record or an illegal overstay in the U.S., SMA assists the beneficiary in removing their inadmissibility through a variety of waivers. When the beneficiary is illegally in the U.S. sometimes there is also a solution through cancellation of removal, which is processed through the immigration court.

SMA Immigration Law Group has ample experience in both consular waiver presentations as well as cancellation of removal in immigration court. As long as a legitimate and immediate family relationship exists between a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident and their immediate relative, SMA can assist those immediate family members to reside legally in the U.S.