Family separation is something most of us never plan for, yet it happens all the time due to immigration barriers. I’ve seen it in my own community—parents waiting years to be reunited with kids, siblings stuck across borders, spouses missing milestones together. It’s a quiet ache a lot of families live with. And while U.S. immigration law has a lot of complicated corners, one thing it still prioritizes—at least in principle—is keeping families together.
At Tourzani & Long, LLC, we’ve walked beside families navigating every step of the process. And if you’re looking for a path to bring someone you love to the U.S., here’s what you need to know about how family-based immigration really works.
Who Can Sponsor a Family Member?
Family-based immigration starts with a petition. If you’re a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you can petition for certain family members to get lawful status. But who qualifies—and how long it takes—depends on your status and your relationship with the person you’re sponsoring.
U.S. citizens can file for a wider range of relatives, including spouses, children (married or unmarried), siblings, and parents. Lawful permanent residents can petition for spouses and unmarried children only. The law divides these relationships into two categories: immediate relatives (like spouses, parents, and unmarried kids under 21 of U.S. citizens) and family preference categories (like siblings or adult children). Immediate relatives don’t have to wait for a visa number, which means their process tends to move faster.
The Paper Trail: What You’ll Need
Filing a family-based petition starts with Form I-130, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll also need to provide proof of your relationship, which can include birth certificates, marriage records, photos, shared bills, and other documentation that shows a real family connection. It’s not just about checking boxes—it’s about painting a picture of your relationship.
In many cases, there’s also a financial requirement. The petitioner has to show they can support the family member at a level above the poverty guidelines. This usually means filing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), along with tax returns and income documents. If your income isn’t quite there, you can get a joint sponsor, but that adds another layer of paperwork.
The Wait Times Are Real
This is the part that gets frustrating. Some petitions move fast—others drag on for years. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may wait a few months to a year. But for siblings or adult children of citizens, the backlog can stretch 10+ years depending on their country of origin. For green card holders filing for unmarried children, the wait also varies depending on the visa bulletin and how many people are ahead in line.
It’s hard to explain this to someone who just wants their mother at their wedding or their son safe from conflict abroad. But we always say—start as early as possible. These cases don’t speed up on their own.
Adjustment vs. Consular Processing
Where your family member is when you file makes a big difference. If they’re already in the U.S. and entered legally, they may be able to adjust status here through Form I-485. If they’re abroad, you’ll go through consular processing, which involves additional steps and a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
Each route comes with its own set of requirements and risks. For example, if your relative entered the U.S. without inspection, they might need a waiver—or might not be eligible to adjust status at all. These are the situations where talking to someone with legal experience is really worth it.
The Emotional Cost
One thing people don’t always talk about is the emotional cost of waiting. The worry. The missed birthdays. The feeling of being in limbo. It’s not just about forms and deadlines—it’s about real people trying to stay connected across long distances and uncertain timelines.
We’ve seen parents who haven’t held their kids in five years. Siblings who text every day but haven’t shared a room since high school. These are the stories behind the paperwork, and they’re what keep us doing this work.
Helping You Bring Family Home
If you’re thinking about filing for a family member—or if you’ve started the process and it’s stalled—Tourzani & Long, LLC is here to help. We work with clients on everything from initial petitions to waivers, appeals, and tough cases that other firms turned away. We serve families across immigration categories and welcome inquiries from all backgrounds. You can learn more at tourzanilaw.com.