At Karlin & Karlin, we understand how difficult it is when you are separated from your loved ones and trying to navigate a daunting and complicated immigration system. Whether you are in California or Las Vegas, NV, our family-owned law firm is here to help you reunite with your family in the United States.
Our compassionate family immigration lawyer provides experienced legal representation in a wide range of immigration matters—from advising on eligibility to assisting with petitions, paperwork, compliance, and appeals.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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Ready to Bring Your Family Together? We’re Here to Help.
At Abogados Karlin, we’ve reunited families for over 40 years with compassionate immigration support. From fiancé(e) and spouse visas to green cards and citizenship, our bilingual team will guide you every step of the way.
Let us help you keep your loved ones close, contact us today to start your journey.
Family Immigration Services
We Handle
Fiancé(e) Visas
(K-1)
Bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry within 90 days. Minor children may qualify for K-2 visas.
Spouse Visas
(K-3/K-4)
Shorten the time you and your spouse are apart while awaiting permanent residency.
Green Cards for Immediate Relatives
Marriage-based and parent/child petitions for U.S. citizens.
Adjustment
of Status
Apply for permanent residency without leaving the U.S. (for eligible applicants).
Removal
of Conditions
For conditional green card holders, ensuring your residency continues after two years of marriage.
Experienced Legal Help, Delivered with Care and Commitment.
Understanding Family-Based Immigration
Under the U.S. immigration system, both lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and U.S. citizens are able to sponsor specific family members to obtain a green card.
There are two main categories:
Immediate Relatives
- Spouse of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under 21 of U.S citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens (if the petitioner is over 21)
- Special provisions for widows/widowers of deceased U.S. citizens
No annual quotas apply for immediate relatives, which is why these visas are processed more quickly.
Family Preference Categories (subject to annual quotas)
- Unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their minor children
- Spouses, minor children, and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents
- Married children of U.S. citizens and their families
- Siblings of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be over 21)
Because these visas are capped, they often take longer to process depending on backlogs, USCIS workload, and country of origin.
Types of Family-Based Visas
Depending on your situation and needs, our family immigration lawyer can help you obtain a nonimmigrant visa or an immigrant visa for your loved ones.
Nonimmigrant Visas
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
- For fiancés/fiancées of U.S. citizens
- Allows entry to the U.S. to marry within 90 days
- After marriage, the U.S. citizen spouse may sponsor for an immediate relative green card
- Minor children may qualify for K-2 visas
K-3 Spouse Visa
- For foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens
- Allows the spouse to join the petitioner more quickly in the U.S.
- Minor children may qualify as K-4 visa holders
Immigrant Visas
- For foreign nationals with a direct relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Issued under Immediate Relative or Family Preference categories (outlined above) through consular processing
Experienced Legal Help, Delivered with Care and Commitment.
Immigration Processing Options
To unite your family in the U.S., you will need to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Once accepted, you may proceed through one of two paths:
Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of status is for immigrants already residing within the U.S. This method allows them to apply for and obtain permanent residency without returning to their home country. Generally, this process is reserved for immediate family members of U.S. citizens who are lawfully residing in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa.
Consular Processing
Consular processing is for immigrants not yet residing within the U.S. This method requires applying for permanent residency through a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. If the application is approved, an immigrant will be given an immigrant visa and then can be admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident.
At Karlin & Karlin, we take sincere satisfaction in seeing families reunited and settled in the U.S. Our experienced family immigration lawyers welcome the opportunity to assist you with your immigration matter, so please contact us for assistance.
Common Family Immigration Services
Our dedicated attorneys assist with:
- Marriage-based green cards
- Fiancé visas (K-1)
- Consular processing
- Adjustment of Status applications
- Removal of conditions on marriage-based green cards
- Naturalization and citizenship applications
- Support with USCIS interviews and appeals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a conditional green card?
A conditional green card is issued to spouses if the marriage is less than two years old at the time of issuance. Both spouses must petition to remove the conditions before it expires. Failure to do so could affect the green card holder’s status.
Who can sponsor a relative for a green card?
- U.S. citizens can sponsor a spouse, children, parents, and siblings.
- Lawful permanent residents can only sponsor a spouse and unmarried children.
How long does it take to get a family-based green card?
Processing times depend on the category of application (immediate relative vs. preference), country of origin, and USCIS backlogs.
What happens if my petition is denied?
Options may include:
- Resubmitting with stronger evidence
- Filing a motion to reconsider or reopen
- Appealing to the Board of Immigration Appeals
- Applying for a waiver of inadmissibility (if applicable)
Hiring a Family Immigration Lawyer – How Can Karlin & Karlin Help You?
For over 40 years, Karlin & Karlin has been helping families fulfill their American dream. As a family-owned and operated law firm, we understand the importance of reuniting loved ones.
We aim to make this process as easy as possible for you and your family. Family immigration is a complicated and confusing process. We understand how hard it can be to find the right family immigration lawyer who understands your situation and whom you can trust. You need someone who’s well-reviewed, efficient, and has integrity. We handle everything from immigration processing to green cards, citizenship, and immigration appeals.
Need an experienced family immigration lawyer? Contact our office today for a free case consultation.
