Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Central Islip, NY
Bringing a family member to the United States is one of the most personal legal matters you’ll ever handle — and one of the most paperwork-heavy. At Argueta Law Group, we help families across Central Islip, Brentwood, Bay Shore, and all of Suffolk County navigate the family-based immigration process, from I-130 petitions for spouses, parents, and children to consular processing and adjustment of status.
Our firm is led by attorney Sandra Argueta, who practices directly before USCIS and consular posts abroad. Every member of our team is bilingual, and we guide families through the full application process — including immediate relative petitions for U.S. citizens and family preference petitions for lawful permanent residents. If you’re ready to start a petition or need help with one already in progress, we can help.
Family-Based Immigration Services We Handle
We handle every type of family-based petition for clients across Suffolk County and Long Island. If your situation isn’t listed below, call us — we likely handle it.
Family Petitions for Spouses
Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident filing for your spouse, we prepare the I-130 petition and guide the case through adjustment of status if your spouse is already in the United States. We also help couples prepare for the marriage interview with USCIS.
Family Petitions for Parents & Children
U.S. citizens can petition for parents and unmarried children under 21 as immediate relatives, with no annual visa cap. We also handle family preference petitions for unmarried sons and daughters over 21 and walk every family through the affidavit of support requirements.
Adjustment of Status (Green Cards)
If your family member is already in the United States, we file Form I-485 to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident based on an approved or concurrent family petition. We prepare the full application package, supporting evidence, and biometrics paperwork required by USCIS.
Provisional Waivers (I-601A)
Some family members who entered the U.S. without inspection need a waiver before they can complete consular processing abroad. We prepare I-601A provisional unlawful presence waivers, document the extreme hardship to qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members, and coordinate the consular interview.
NACARA & Special Immigration Relief
Certain Central American and Eastern European nationals may qualify for relief under NACARA. We assess eligibility, prepare the application, and represent clients before USCIS or in immigration court when NACARA is raised as a defense to removal.
Family-Based Immigration for Military Families
Active-duty service members and veterans often have special immigration options to help family members obtain lawful status, including Parole in Place and expedited naturalization. We work with military families to identify which programs they qualify for and file the right petitions.
Why Families Choose Argueta Law Group for Immigration Petitions
- Direct experience before USCIS — we file family petitions, adjustment of status applications, and waivers as a core part of our practice.
- A fully bilingual team — your entire case handled in Spanish or English, including documents, interviews, and updates.
- A second immigration specialist — Francisco Xavier Morales Perez, focused on international immigration matters that often arise in family-based cases.
- WhatsApp and text-message access — so you can send a document, ask a question, or get a status update without waiting for a callback.
- A physical office in Central Islip — close to USCIS field offices and easily reachable from anywhere in Suffolk County and Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the family-based immigration process take?
Timelines depend on which family relationship you’re petitioning under. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 — typically see the fastest processing, often 12 to 18 months. Family preference categories, such as unmarried sons and daughters over 21 or siblings of U.S. citizens, can take several years because the law caps how many visas are issued each year. We review your specific situation and give you a realistic timeline at your first consultation.
Who can file a Form I-130 petition for a family member?
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can file Form I-130 to petition for certain family members. U.S. citizens can sponsor a spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21, unmarried son or daughter over 21, married child, or sibling. Lawful permanent residents have a narrower list — spouse, unmarried child under 21, or unmarried son or daughter over 21. We help families file the right petition for their situation and avoid the small errors that cause USCIS denials.
What is an affidavit of support and who needs one?
Every family-based immigration petition requires a sponsor who signs Form I-864, the affidavit of support. The sponsor promises to financially support the family member at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines so the immigrant doesn’t become a public charge. If the petitioner’s income is too low, a joint sponsor can sign a second I-864 to make up the difference. We gather the tax documents, employment verification, and asset records USCIS requires and identify joint sponsors when needed.
Can I get a green card if my family petition was filed but I’m already in the U.S.?
In many cases, yes — through a process called adjustment of status. If you entered the United States legally and your family petition is approved or filed concurrently, you can apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. If you entered without inspection, the path is more complicated and may require a provisional waiver (Form I-601A) before consular processing abroad. We review your entry history and immigration record carefully before recommending a strategy.
Do you handle family-based immigration cases for Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. Our entire team is bilingual, and we represent Spanish-speaking families across Central Islip, Brentwood, Bay Shore, and all of Suffolk County. We communicate in Spanish or English by phone, WhatsApp, text, or in person at our Central Islip office. Documents from USCIS arrive in English, and we translate and explain every step so you always know what’s happening in your case.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have an immigration matter — urgent or not — we’d like to hear about it. Call our Central Islip office, send a text or WhatsApp message, or use the contact form on this site. Consultations are confidential, and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can help.
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320 Carleton Ave, Ste 3400
Central Islip, NY 11722