Minneapolis Family Immigration Lawyer

Family Immigration Attorney in Minneapolis, MN

When families live in different countries, the separation can cause strain and significant challenges. When your loved ones reside across an international border or overseas, you may do everything possible to complete immigration paperwork and reunite your family. Whether you are hoping to reunite with your children in Cedar-Riverside or help a spouse immigrate to Brooklyn Park, a Minneapolis family immigration lawyer can help.

Trust Hong Immigration Law With Your Family Immigration Case

In 2009, immigration attorney Sung Woo Hong came to America on a visa as an international student. Originally from South Korea, he gained U.S. citizenship in 2019 and now works to help others achieve similar goals and dreams. Fluent in both English and Korean, Hong offers his services to individuals of all backgrounds and is ready to fight for you, whatever your case might involve. Trust Hong Immigration Law with your immigration case today.

Having personally experienced the challenges of the U.S. immigration system, Hong brings both empathy and insight to each case. He understands how important family stability and opportunity can be for immigrants and their families. That’s why Hong Immigration Law clients receive personalized attention, clear communication, and dedicated advocacy at every step of the process. 

Methods for Family Immigration in Minnesota

Almost 65% of immigration cases brought to the U.S. every year involve family members seeking legal residency. Helping a family member into the U.S., either through a green card or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, will ultimately depend on the relationship shared between the immigrating individual and their sponsoring relative. The closeness of that relationship can affect both eligibility and processing times.

Each year, approximately 1.2 million green cards are granted in the U.S., with immediate relatives of U.S. citizens receiving the highest priority when it comes to the immigration process. 

Immediate relatives typically fall into the following five visa categories:

• IR-1 for the spouses of U.S. citizens
• IR-2 for the unmarried children of a U.S. citizen under the age of 21
• IR-3 for a foreign-adopted child of a U.S. citizen
• IR-4 a child to be adopted by a U.S. citizen through an American family court
• IR-5 for the parents of a U.S. citizen over the age of 21

It is very common for individuals born in the U.S. to attempt to sponsor their parents or siblings when it comes to immigration petitions. However, only an adult who is over the age of 21 can do so. Fiancés of U.S. citizens may be eligible for a K-1 visa, and the team at Hong Immigration Law can assist with this process. These visas are designed to facilitate marriage and can reduce the waiting time associated with spousal visas.

It is also important to note that immigrating to the U.S. is not reserved only for the immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen. The process for more distant relations can take longer and be more limiting. These distant relations, such as aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, or in-laws, cannot be sponsored on family-based immigration petitions. So, instead, relatives tend to create a series of petitions as each relative sponsors the next in line. 

Additionally, even a green cardholder or a U.S. citizen who hopes to sponsor a relative must wait to receive a family-based lawful permanent resident green card. These cards exist in a limited number and fall into the following categories:

• F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
• F2: Spouses and unmarried children of green card holders
• F3: Married adult children of U.S. citizens
• F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens

If you or a family member falls into any of these categories, whether for green card status or visas, it is essential that you work with an immigration attorney who can protect your future and ensure every step is properly taken. 

What to Do if a Family Member Is Facing Deportation

When a family member is detained by immigration officials, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Thankfully, immigrants in the U.S. have rights, and at Hong Immigration Law, we are here to ensure those rights are protected. If a family member is detained or facing deportation, the following steps may help:

• Obtain the A number. This number usually consists of nine digits and will be given to your family member upon their arrest by ICE agents. If your family member has previously filed an immigration application, this number should be on those documents. 
• Locate your family member. You can use your loved one’s A-number to locate them if they have been detained by ICE. Using the government website, you can track down the location of the detention center your loved one is being held in. 
• Communicate with your loved one. Once your loved one is located, you can set up a way to communicate or even visit your loved one. During these communications, it is wise to record any details of your loved one’s arrest. 
• Gather documentation. Finally, when you go to Hong Immigration Law for assistance in a possible deportation case, it is important that you collect any documents that may apply. These can include any prior immigration applications filed or notices of receipt. You will also want to gather any documents that may be related to a criminal charge. 

Hire a Family Immigration Lawyer Based in Minneapolis

Immigrating to the U.S. can be stressful and intimidating, especially as immigration laws continue to evolve. A simple misunderstanding can result in serious consequences. For this reason, working with an experienced family immigration lawyer is critical. Hong Immigration Law can help you understand the process, ensure paperwork is completed correctly, and work toward reuniting your family.

Our team assists with a wide range of family-based immigration concerns. This includes petitions for spouses, children, parents, and other eligible relatives. We provide clear guidance on eligibility requirements, timelines, and the obstacles you may face along the way. 

With our dedicated advocacy, we can help your family move forward together with both peace of mind and stability. Contact Hong Immigration Law today to schedule an appointment with our Minneapolis family immigration lawyer at our Uptown Office Park location on Hennepin Avenue.