Family-Based Immigration Lawyer

Helping Families Reunite in the United States

Bring your spouse, parents, children, or fiancé(e) to the United States with experienced legal guidance.

We help families prepare strong immigration cases and avoid mistakes that can cause delays or denials.

Why Choose Serrano Immigration

Guidance You Can Understand. Experience You Can Trust.

Family immigration is deeply personal because it affects the people you love most. We understand what is at stake.

20+ Years of Focused Experience
Focused experience in family-based and complex immigration cases.
Personal Understanding
Led by an attorney who has personally experienced the immigration journey.
Personalized Legal Strategy
Every case is evaluated to prepare the strongest path forward.
Clear Communication
Straightforward guidance and bilingual support in English and Spanish.

Attorney | Federico B. Serrano

What You Need to Know

What Is Family-Based Immigration?

Family-based immigration is the process that allows certain U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to help qualifying relatives obtain lawful immigration status in the United States.

Most cases begin by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. Because the process involves multiple steps and detailed documentation, experienced legal support helps avoid delays and prepare the strongest case possible.

We Help Families Stay Together

Immigration is more than paperwork. It is about:

Reuniting with loved ones

Building a future together

Reducing uncertainty

Protecting your family

Who May Qualify?

U.S. Citizens May Petition For:

Green Card Holders May Petition For:

How We Help

Personalized Representation, Not High Volume Processing.

Personalized Legal Guidance

Your case is evaluated, reviewed for accuracy, and handled with personalized attention.

Secure Online Process

Upload documents, review forms, and sign paperwork securely from anywhere.

Complete Preparation and Filing

We prepare all required forms, organize supporting documents, and file your case with USCIS.

Ongoing Case Management

We track notices, deadlines, and next steps throughout your case.

Interview Preparation

We help you prepare for your immigration interview.

Real Human Support

Get answers from our team when questions arise.

Our Family Immigration Services

Family Immigration Solutions Tailored to Your Case

From marriage petitions to complex family immigration matters, we help families move forward with experienced legal guidance tailored to their situation.

Marriage & Couple Immigration

Marriage-based green cards, spouse petitions, and K-1 fiancé(e) visas.

Family Petitions

Immigration options for parents, children, siblings, and qualifying relatives.

Green Card Applications

Adjustment of Status and consular processing for eligible applicants.

Immigration Waivers

Solutions for certain immigration complications and inadmissibility issues.

Removal of Conditions

Guidance for conditional residents seeking permanent residence.

U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization

Support through the citizenship and naturalization process.

Client Testimonials

Trusted by families for more than 20 years

On behalf of our family, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the office of Attorney Federico Serrano for their excellent and efficient work on our family’s immigration processes. Their constant and timely support contributed to the success of all the processes in which we were advised and assisted by them and their team. Once again, I reiterate my gratitude and highly recommend their immigration services due to the successful outcomes in all our cases. Blessings!

– Pablo (El Salvador)

An excellent lawyer for all your immigration cases. He’s very professional, kind, dedicated, and committed to your case, as is his entire team—very friendly and always willing to help and answer any questions you may have. They helped me and my children with the process for Permanent Residency, and fortunately, everything went very well within five months.

– Fanny (Woodbridge, VA)

I hope this helps anyone who is looking for an immigration attorney. When I was seeking guidance for my case 1-130. I was referred to Federico Serreno, so I made a consultation and right away I knew he would be the attorney I would want by my side to handle my case. He was very knowledgeable and attentive to all my questions and concerns. Mr Serrano and the staff he works with are great and made everything in my case go very smoothly.

– Mario (Mannasas Park, VA)

FAQs

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help.

What is family-based immigration and who qualifies as an immediate relative?

Family-based immigration is the primary legal pathway for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor foreign family members for lawful permanent residence. Under U.S. immigration law, beneficiaries are divided into two main groups: immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens), who face no annual visa caps, and family preference categories (such as adult children or siblings), which are subject to annual limits and variable wait times. The process officially begins by filing a Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS to establish a qualifying relationship.

Can children be included in family immigration cases?

Yes, depending on the specific visa preference category and the child’s age and marital status, qualifying children can often be included in family-based immigration cases as derivative beneficiaries. This is a critical component of long-term immigration planning for families, as it allows immediate family groups to navigate the immigration process together rather than facing years of separation.

Can a green card holder sponsor a spouse for marriage-based immigration?

Yes, a lawful permanent resident can petition for a spouse. However, while spouses of U.S. citizens are processed immediately, spouses of green card holders fall under the family preference categories (specifically F2A), meaning they must monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin for visa availability. Sponsoring a spouse for marriage-based green cards requires extensive proof of a bona fide relationship to address strict government scrutiny regarding relationship legitimacy.

Can a K-1 fiancé visa lead to a green card?

Yes, k-1 fiancé visas are designed specifically to bring a foreign national fiancé(e) to the United States for marriage. After arriving in the country, the couple must marry within 90 days. Once married, the foreign spouse can apply for a permanent resident card through the adjustment of status process without having to leave the United States.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor parents for legal status in the United States?

Yes. U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old are legally eligible to file petitions for parents. Because parents are considered immediate relatives, there is no waiting list for a visa number, making this one of the most direct routes to obtaining a green card. Note that lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible to sponsor parents or siblings; this benefit is strictly reserved for U.S. citizens.

What is the difference between Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing?

These represent the two distinct immigration procedures used to obtain a green card. Adjustment of Status allows an eligible family member who is already physically present in the United States to complete their entire application process internally without leaving the country. On the other hand, Consular Processing is the mandatory route for beneficiaries residing abroad (or those who do not qualify for adjustment), requiring them to attend a family immigration interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

What happens if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) on my family petition?

If USCIS finds that your application lacks essential documentation, relationship proof, or financial records, they will issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs). Receiving an RFE in family immigration cases requires a thorough, legally sound, and timely response. Failing to submit the requested petition evidence within the government’s strict deadline can lead to an immediate denial of the case.

What if a family member entered the United States without inspection or has unlawful presence?

Entering without inspection or overstaying a visa creates serious legal hurdles. In many cases, navigating unlawful presence requires applying for specific immigration waivers (such as the I-601A provisional waiver) to excuse the violation before the relative can attend their consular interview. Because these scenarios involve high legal risk, seeking professional legal guidance from a family immigration lawyer is essential to avoid lengthy bars to re-entry.

Our Purpose

Ready to Bring Your Family Together?

Family immigration can feel overwhelming because it affects the people closest to you and the future you want to build together. Our goal is to make the process clearer, more organized, and easier for your family to navigate.