Understanding Family First Preference in U.S. Immigration Law
Definition & Meaning
The Family First Preference category is a specific classification within U.S. immigration law that allows U.S. citizens to sponsor certain family members for permanent residency. This category is limited to unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older, as well as their children. The Family First Preference Green Cards are issued to:
- Unmarried children (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens.
- Unmarried stepchildren (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens, provided the marriage occurred before the stepchild's 18th birthday.
- U.S. citizens who wish to sponsor their unmarried foreign-born children (21 years or older) for a Green Card.
Legal Use & context
The Family First Preference is utilized in family immigration law. It allows U.S. citizens to petition for their unmarried adult children, which is crucial for family reunification. This process involves submitting specific forms and documentation to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and users can often manage these applications themselves using templates from resources like US Legal Forms.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: John is a U.S. citizen who wants to bring his 22-year-old unmarried son, Alex, from Mexico to live in the U.S. John can file a petition under the Family First Preference category.
Example 2: Maria, a U.S. citizen, married a foreign national who has a 21-year-old child from a previous relationship. Since the marriage occurred before the child's 18th birthday, Maria can sponsor her stepchild for a Green Card. (hypothetical example)