Published: January 12, 2022
If you are a parent wanting to petition your children to live in the United States, do not waste time. Work on your child’s application at the earliest opportunity possible! They may lose perks and special treatments exclusive to their age group when you are not fast enough.
Derivation
As a parent, the best time to file for naturalization would be when your children are still under 18 years old. By doing this, minor children can derive U.S. citizenship through your application. When approved, you and your derivative family members can become U.S. Citizens at the same time. Derivative citizenship may also apply to children aged 18 and above. However, the process is more restrictive. Derivative citizenship only applies to children if their parent/s have active U.S. Citizenship at the time of their birth.
Marriage
Do not wait for your children to get married before petitioning them to the United States because things can get trickier as well. Married children of U.S Citizens will fall under the third preference for family-based immigration. USCIS will only approve up to 23,400 visas per year under this category. Upon estimation, applicants for this category typically wait 9 to10 years for approval.
Competition
Minor children are considered immediate family relatives to U.S. Citizens. These individuals fall under the first preference for family-based immigration. The USCIS does not limit the number of approvals for applications under this category. After complying with the requirements, procedures, and fees, applicants should not worry about competing for a slot.
Benefits
The earlier your children become naturalized, the earlier they will experience the perks of U.S. Citizenship. American children have free and full access to the country’s finest public education systems. In addition, they can also benefit from the government’s programs that focus on personal development and well-being. Most importantly, especially for children suffering from chronic conditions, they can benefit from the world-renowned American public healthcare system.
Being Separated from Family
Being separated from your children for a long time is one of the worse, if not the worst, feeling ever. You and your little ones do not have to suffer any longer. Let ALG Lawyers guide you in all the processes. Our expertise as a team of trusted Los Angeles immigration lawyers will benefit you and your future endeavors. Talk to you soon?
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)