Practice Area
Family Petitions
Your family belongs together. We'll make it happen.
Family is the foundation of immigration law. If you're a US citizen or permanent resident, you have the right to petition for your family members to join you in America. But the process is more complicated than it should be, and the waiting times can be agonizing.
What Can Go Wrong
Filing the wrong petition wastes years. Failing to maintain your own status while a petition is pending can void everything. Missing a consular interview leads to administrative processing that can last indefinitely. And if there are any issues in your family member's background, they need to be addressed before the interview — not during it.
What Gihan Does Differently
Gihan has reunited hundreds of families. She knows which category gives you the fastest path, how to handle cases where family members are overseas, and how to navigate the complex web of preference categories, priority dates, and visa bulletins.
Real Case (Anonymized)
A Case Study
A US citizen filed a petition for her elderly mother in Egypt. The case was stuck in administrative processing for two years with no explanation. Gihan filed a mandamus action in federal court, and the visa was issued within 60 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I petition for as a US citizen?
Immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents), adult children, married children, and siblings. Immediate relatives have no wait time for visa numbers — other categories have backlogs.
How long does family immigration take?
It depends on the relationship and your family member's country. Immediate relatives: 6-12 months. Other categories: 2-20+ years depending on the preference category and country backlogs.
Can I petition for my fiancé?
Yes. The K-1 fiancé visa allows your fiancé to enter the US, and you must marry within 90 days of arrival. After marriage, your spouse can apply for adjustment of status.
What if my family member is undocumented?
It depends on how they entered the US and their current situation. Some family members may need to leave the US for consular processing, which can trigger bars to reentry. Gihan will evaluate the safest strategy.
Can I speed up the family petition process?
For certain categories, premium processing is available. For others, if there are humanitarian emergencies, we can request expedited processing. Gihan knows every avenue for acceleration.
Other Practice Areas
Green Card
You've built your life here. Now make it permanent.
Deportation Defense
They're trying to send you back. We're here to fight.
Asylum
You fled for your life. America should be your answer.
Naturalization
You've earned the right to call this home. Make it official.
Visas
The right visa opens the door. The wrong one closes it.
DACA
You grew up American. The law should recognize that.
Appeals
A denial is not the end. It's where the real fight begins.
Ready to Discuss Your Family Petitions Case?
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