Family Immigration Lawyer in Chicago
Family-based immigration is the foundation of the U.S. immigration system, allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close relatives for visas and green cards. At Liberum Law, our family immigration lawyers in Chicago help families navigate the petition, application, and interview process to reunite loved ones in the United States.
Our family immigration practice covers fiancé K-1 visas for U.S. citizens engaged to foreign nationals, spouse visas and adjustment of status for married couples, family green cards (I-130 petitions) for parents, children, and siblings, green cards for parents of U.S. citizens, removal of conditions on permanent residence for conditional residents, and consular processing for family members abroad.
Each family immigration category has specific eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and processing timelines. Our attorneys guide you through every step, from initial petition filing through the final interview, ensuring that your application is complete, accurate, and compelling.
Contact our family immigration attorneys at Liberum Law for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor a family member for a green card?
U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses, parents, unmarried minor children (immediate relatives — no wait), and unmarried adult children, married adult children, and siblings (preference categories — long wait). Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) can sponsor spouses and unmarried children only.
How long do family-based green cards take?
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21): 12–18 months total. Preference categories: 2–10+ years depending on category and country of birth. Spouses of green card holders: typically 18–36 months. Family preference for Mexico, Philippines, India, and China has the longest waits.
What is the difference between K-1 fiancé visa and a spouse visa?
K-1: enters U.S. as fiancé, must marry within 90 days, then adjusts to green card. Spouse visa (IR-1/CR-1): married first, then enters U.S. as conditional or permanent resident. K-1 is faster to enter but slower to green card; spouse visa is slower to enter but faster to green card.
Can I work while my family-based green card is pending?
If you filed I-485 (adjustment of status in the U.S.), yes — you can apply for an EAD (work permit) that arrives in 5–12 months. If you are abroad waiting for consular processing, no work authorization until you receive the green card and enter the U.S.
What happens if my marriage ends before the green card is granted?
Petition will likely be revoked unless you qualify for an exception (abused spouse self-petition under VAWA, or hardship waiver). Conditional green cards (issued when marriage was under 2 years) require I-751 with the spouse; divorce mid-process complicates but does not always disqualify. We handle these sensitive cases carefully.
