If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident planning to sponsor your foreign family member for a green card you probably wonder how long the process might take. The process of sponsorship of a family member might take from several months to several years depending on the status of the petitioner and the family relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary.

Immediate Relatives of U.S Citizen Are Exempt From Numerical Limits and per Country Quotas

The Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") has created the category of so called immediate relatives of US citizens who are exempt from numerical limits and per country quotas. This means that the approval of a US citizen's petition on behalf of his immediate relative makes the immigrant visa immediately available for the beneficiary. The category of immediate relatives embraces spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21 of US citizens. The approval of an immigration petition on behalf of an immediate relative generally takes about six months. The whole process of bringing an immediate relative to the US usually might take about a year.

Family Members Not Falling Under the Category of Immediate Relatives Are Subject to Numerical Limits and per Country Quotas

It might take several years for a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident to bring his relatives to the US if the relative does not fall under the category of immediate relatives of US citizens. Family members, not falling under the category of immediate relatives of US citizens, are divided into 4 preference categories, and only a specific number of visas can be issued in each specific category every year. In addition to numerical limits for each preference category, there is also a per country quota on the number of visas that can be issued. Particularly, the yearly number of visas issued to citizens of any country under a specific preference category cannot exceed 7% of the limit allocated to the specific preference category. INA § 202(a)(2). As a result of the per country quota, aliens from certain countries have to wait much longer compared to aliens from other countries because much more petitions have been filed on behalf of the citizens of these countries. When a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident files an immigration petition on behalf of his foreign family member a priority date is allocated to the specific case. US Department of State publishes a monthly visa bulletin which states the dates a final action was taken in each preference category. Based on the priority date allocated to a petition and the date of final action for the specific preference category, the petitioner and the foreign beneficiary can approximately determine how long they will have to wait until the immigrant visa becomes available. You can check the most recent visa bulletin for July 2017.

Pursuant to the Visa Bulletin for July 2017 the Waiting Times for All Four Preference Categories Are as Follows:

First Preference – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens

The first preference includes unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens. Citizens of Mexico falling under this category have to wait approximately 21 years until their immigrant visa becomes available, citizens of the Philippines have to wait 11 years, while the citizens of all other countries shall wait 7 years.

Second Preference – Spouses and Unmarried Children of Permanent Residents

The second preference includes spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. This preference is divided into 2 subcategories: (a) spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents, and (b) unmarried sons and daughters 21 and older of permanent residents.

F2A – Spouses and Unmarried Children Under 21 of Permanent Residents

Not less than 77 percent of visa numbers assigned to the second preference shall be allocated to spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents. INA § 203(a)(2). Also, 75% of visas issued to spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents is not subject to the per country limitation. INA § 202(a)(4)(A). These sections of INA are intended to shorten the waiting time for spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents. The waiting time for aliens falling under this category is about 2 years.

F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21 and Older of Permanent Residents

The second subcategory of the second preference includes unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents who are 21 or older. The waiting time for aliens falling under this subcategory is much longer compared to the first subcategory. Particularly, citizens of Mexico shall wait 21 years, citizens of the Philippines shall wait 11 years, while the citizens of all other countries have to wait 7 years.

Third Preference – Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens

The third preference includes married sons and daughters of US citizens. Citizens of Mexico falling under this category shall wait approximately 22 years until their visa becomes available, citizens of the Philippines shall wait 23 years, while the citizens of all the other countries have to wait 12 years.

Fourth Preference – Brothers and Sisters of US Citizens

The fourth preference includes the brothers and sisters of adult US citizens. The waiting times for aliens falling under this category are as follows: citizens of Mexico shall wait approximately 20 years, citizens of the Philippines shall wait 23 years, citizens of China shall wait 14 years, while the citizens of all the other countries have to wait 13 years. To sum up, the sponsorship of immediate relatives of US citizens is much easier compared to the sponsorship of family members falling under one of the preference categories. Family members that fall under one of the preference categories will have to wait for years until they get a chance to immigrate to the US.

Do You Need More Information About How Long It May Take to Bring Your Family Member to the US?

If you are a US citizen seeking to petition for an immigrant visa for an immediate relative or have questions regarding other family based immigration visas, we invite you to call our office and schedule a immigration consultation with our Glendale immigration lawyer. We speak Spanish, Armenian, Russian, French, & Italian. Get help from a professional who is experienced with immigration law. Our lawyers in Glendale, Los Angeles, California at KAASS Law are authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office. KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, San Bernardino, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

Common Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

Categories of Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is divided into two categories - mild and severe. A traumatic brain injury is considered mild if a loss of consciousness lasts for less than 30 minutes. On the other hand, traumatic brain injury is considered severe, if a loss of consciousness lasts for more than an hour.

Common Signs of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Signs of a mild traumatic brain injury include,

• Excessive sleep or depression
• Issues with coordination
• Mood changes, such as violent outbursts
• Memory Loss
• Difficulty expressing thoughts or sentences
• Nausea
• Seizers
• Sensory problems, such as bad taste in mouth, loss of smell, sensitivity to lights or sounds

Common Signs of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Signs of a moderate to severe brain injury may begin within days and symptoms include:

• Continous spasms of nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty speaking or walking, confusion
• Clear fluid that
  • Drains from ears
  • Drains from either nose or ears
• Dilated pupil(s)
• Depression
• Irritability
• Moody
• Combative behavior

How Long Does it Take for Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms to Show Up?

Often times, common traumatic brain injury symptoms are not immediately apparent. It may take several days or weeks for traumatic brain injury symptoms to surface. This depends on a number of factors including how severe was the incident. It is important to speak to your physician's if you begin to notice physical or behavioral changes. You should also consider receiving an MRI of your brain. A thorough neurological examination or a brain imaging scan should reveal any damage to the brain's surface.

How to Proceed with a Personal Injury Claim for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

It is important to collect all the documentation and medical records that are related to the injury. Also, it is a good idea to keep a journal and keeping track of the time and effects the injury has on your daily life. Consult with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer. Your attorney will consult with out on your options, whether there was any potential negligence that can be asserted against the third party. You may be able to collect monetary compensation, the cost of therapy, medical expenses, loss of income, reduced quality of life, and more for a traumatic brain injury cases. Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of another? A Los Angeles personal injury attorney from KAASS Law may be able to provide you with legal assistance.

The Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") gives an opportunity to US Citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring their children to the United States. US citizens can sponsor both their married and unmarried children. However, the unmarried children under twenty-one (21) fall under the category of immediate relatives who are exempt from numerical quotas applicable to other family based preference categories. The question whether the child falls under the category of immediate relatives is extremely important because if immediate relatives can obtain their green cards within less than a year, children of US citizens, falling under one of the preference categories, will have to wait at least seven (7) years depending on their country of citizenship and marital status.

Lawful permanent residents can only sponsor their unmarried children who fall under the Second Preference – spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents. However, children under twenty-one (21) of permanent residents have certain privileges compared to children who are twenty-one (21) or older. First of all, seventy-seven percent (77%) of available visas in the second preference category is allocated to spouses and unmarried sons and daughters under twenty-one (21) of permanent residents. INA § 203(a)(2). Additionally, seventy-five percent (75%) of visas issued to spouses and unmarried children under twenty-one (21) of permanent residents are not subject to the per country limitations. Id. § 202(a)(4)(A). As a result, if children under twenty-one (21) of permanent residents can obtain their green cards within less than two (2) years, children who are twenty-one (21) or older will have to wait at least seven (7) years depending on their country of citizenship.

As it can be seen, the age of the child is crucial for both the petitions filed by US citizens and permanent residents. There is a possibility that although the petition is filed while the child beneficiary is under twenty-one (21) he will be twenty-one (21) or older at the time of adjudication of the petition. In 2002, the Congress enacted the Child Status Protection Act to protect children beneficiaries who turned twenty-one (21) after the immigration petition was filed on their behalf. These provisions of the Child Status Protection Act are known as "age-out protection" provisions.

Age-Out Protection for Children of US Citizens

Adjudicators must determine whether the beneficiary qualifies as an immediate relative child based on his age on the date of filing the immigrantion visa petition on his behalf. Id. § 201(f)(1). As such, the date when the US citizen parent files the immigration petition for his child, the Form I-130, determines whether the child falls under the category of immediate relatives or not. This means that although the child may turn twenty-one (21) after filing the immigration petition on his behalf, he will always qualify as an immediate relative as long as he is not married. The date of filing the petition is the date when the Form I-130 is filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Age-Out Protection for Children of Lawful Permanent Residents

Adjudicators shall determine whether the beneficiary qualifies as a child under twenty-one (21) of a lawful permanent resident by using the following formula: the age of the child on the date on which an immigrant visa number becomes available minus the number of days during which the petition for the child was pending. Id. § 203(h)(1). If the child is under 21 after using this formula he will benefit from the age-out protection provision of INA. The immigration petition is considered to be pending from the date of filing the petition until the date of approval. It should be noted that the beneficiary may benefit from the age-out protection only if he seeks to acquire a status of a lawful permanent resident within one (1) year after the availability of an immigrant visa number. Id.

The age-out protection provisions of the INA are intended to protect the children of US citizens and lawful permanent residents who turn twenty-one (21) after filing the immigration petition on their behalf. Hence, if the child of a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident will turn twenty-one (21) soon they should try to file the immigration petition before the child turns twenty-one (21) in order to benefit from the age-out protection provisions.

If you have questions regarding an immigration matter, we invite you to contact our immigration attorney for a consultation at {meta.phoneFormatted}.

KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office.

KAASS Law helps clients in Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

How Will California's New DUI Laws Affect Uber & Lyft Drivers?

The new law will make it illegal for Uber drivers to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.04 or higher. Effective July 1, 2018, California ride-sharing drivers, like Uber and Lyft , and other commercial-for-hire vehicles will have stringent DUI laws.

Changes to California Vehicle Code Section 23152

The AB 2687 bill will amend the Vehicle Code Section 23152 (e): Commencing July 1, 2018, it shall be unlawful for a person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a motor vehicle when a passenger for hire is a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense, and concurrently to do any act forbidden by law or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver. For purposes of this subdivision, "passenger for hire" means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed or expected as a condition of carriage in the vehicle, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vehicle. In a prosecution under this subdivision, it is a rebuttable presumption that the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of driving the vehicle if the person had 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood at the time of the performance of a chemical test within three hours after the driving.

For questions about your Los Angeles Uber accident case or any Uber or Lyft related accidents, we invite you to call our office and speak to our Los Angeles uber accident attorney for consultation. We speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Italian.

KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office.

KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

When Are Attorney Fees Recoverable?

Are you filing a lawsuit? Defending a lawsuit? If so, you are naturally - and, inevitably - thinking about the excessive expenses. Being involved in litigation is a burden on your pocket - not to mention a burden on your mind. You can minimize your mental burden concerning expenses by learning that there are in fact ways to recover attorney fees.

The "American Rule"

The general "American Rule" places each party responsible for its own legal costs, including attorney fees. In other words, based on this rule even the prevailing party must pay his or her own attorney fees arising out of litigation. Surely, California follows this rule, regardless of what the cause of action may be and regardless of whether you win or lose the case. However, there are exceptions to this rule. The prevailing party may be awarded attorney fees in two situations: (1) based on a written contract provision, (2) based on an applicable statute. These exceptions may hold the losing party responsible for paying the prevailing party's attorney fees.

Recovering Attorney Fees Based on Contract

Signing a contract? Look out! There may be a clause in the contract you are about to sign, which provides the prevailing party in litigation to be awarded with most, if not all, of its reasonable attorney fees. Generally, a contract that includes such provision is enforceable. A contract that entitles recovery of attorney fees addresses the rights of the prevailing party to collect not only attorney fees, but also its reasonable costs incurred before and during litigation. Such costs include, but are not limited to, court filing fees, expert witness fees, preparation for deposition, pre-trial interviews, serving complaints, paying court reporters, photocopying, and travel expenses. On the other hand, reasonable attorney fees are the compensation for the legal services an attorney performs. While attorney fees and the legal costs are different, contract provisions may entitle the prevailing party to recover for both expenses.

Recovering Attorney Fees Based on a Statute

Additionally, if an applicable statute authorizes, the prevailing party in litigation can seek to recover attorney fees. Some California statutes are discretionary; such that the court "may" award attorney fees to the prevailing party, whereas other statutes provide mandatory language and "shall" award the prevailing party with its attorney fees. Some statues that allow the prevailing party to recover is when the losing party files a lawsuit based on no grounds, such that there was no reason to bring forth the lawsuit; instead, it was a waste of court's time and resources. Other statues allow recovery of attorney fees from a case that substantially benefits or influences the public. Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Italian. KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office. KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

Location & Directions

Location: 815 E Colorado St #220, Glendale, CA 91205 Telephone: {meta.phoneFormatted} Email: [email protected]

Who Falls Under The Category Of Immediate Relatives Of US Citizens

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has created the category of immediate relatives of US citizens who are exempt from numerical quotas applicable to other family members of US citizens and family members of lawful permanent residents. INA has created the category of immediate relatives to give an opportunity to US citizens to easily reunite with their closest family members. Therefore, it is extremely important for US citizens and their family members to determine who falls under the category of immediate relatives.

Spouse of US Citizens

Spouses of US citizens comprise the first group that falls under the category of immediate relatives. INA § 201(b)(2)(A)(i). The marriage between the US citizen and his/her spouse shall be legitimate and shall not be entered into for immigration benefits. The US citizen and his/her spouse have to submit supporting documents showing that the legitimacy of the marriage. The spouse of a US citizen will be granted a conditional residence if at the time of obtaining the permanent residence their marriage is less than two years old. Id. § 216(a)(1) and (h). The conditional residence is granted for two years, and the US citizen with his/her spouse shall file a joint petition to remove the conditions on residence within ninety days before the expiration of the two-year conditional green card.

Children under 21 of US Citizen

The category of immediate relatives also includes children of US citizens. Id. § 201(b)(2)(A)(i). To qualify as an immediate relative of a US citizen, the child must be unmarried and under twenty-one years of age. Id. § 101(b)(1). The INA definition of child includes: (a) a child born in wedlock; (b) a stepchild provided the marriage creating the status of stepchild occurred before the child turned eighteen; (c) a legitimated child if the legitimation took place before the child turned eighteen and the child was in the legal custody of the legitimating parent at the time of legitimation; (d) a child born out of wedlock through natural mother or through natural father if the father has or had a bona fide parent-child relationship with the child; (e) a child that was adopted under the age of sixteen years if the child has been in the legal custody of and has resided with the adopting parent for at least two years. Id. It should be noted that even if the child turns twenty-one during the processing of the immigration petition he/she will still qualify as an immediate relative if the immigration petition on the child's behalf was filed before the child turned twenty-one.

Parents of US Citizens

The last group of family members that falls under the category of immediate relatives includes parents of US citizens. Id. § 201(b)(2)(A)(i). The US citizen child must be at least twenty-one years old in order to be able to sponsor his/her parents for a green card. Before turning twenty-one a US citizen child does not have a right to petition for his/her parents.

What Privileges do Immediate Relatives of US Citizens Have?

The immigration process is much easier for immediate relatives of US citizens in comparison to other family members of US citizens or family members of lawful permanent residents. First of all, immediate relatives of US citizens are exempt from the numerical quotas for the issuance of immigrant visas that apply to other family categories. This means that the approval of a US citizen's petition for an immediate relative makes the immigrant visa immediately available for the immediate relative beneficiary. Another advantage of being an immediate relative of a US citizen is that if relatives falling under other family categories cannot adjust their status after overstaying their visa this bar does not apply to immediate relatives. INA has made the sponsorship of immediate relatives much easier compared to other family categories. This process allows immediate relatives of US citizens to obtain permanent residence within a short period of time to reunite with their US citizen family members. If you are a US citizen seeking to petition for an immigrant visa for an immediate relative or have questions regarding other family based immigration visas, we invite you to call our office and schedule a immigration consultation with an experienced Glendale immigration lawyer. KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments.