Reuniting Families Through Marriage Visas, Green Cards, and Petitions

Keeping families together is at the heart of U.S. immigration law—but success depends on accuracy, strategy, and legal care.

Your Loved Ones Deserve to Be Here With You

Personalized Representation for U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders, and Their Relatives

Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse for a green card, bringing your children from abroad, or filing for a fiancé visa, family-based immigration is often the most direct path to lawful status in the United States. Yet despite the intent of U.S. immigration law to prioritize families, these cases are rarely simple. Forms are denied for errors, interviews are failed for inconsistency, and petitions are delayed due to backlogs or red flags that could have been avoided with proper legal help.


At Pedro L. Salim Law Firm, we provide experienced, compassionate immigration representation for individuals seeking to keep their families united under the law. We handle everything from marriage-based green card petitions  to adjustment of status, consular processing, and complex family immigration matters involving waivers, VAWA self-petitions, or removal proceedings.


We represent:


  • U.S. citizens petitioning for spouses, children, parents, and siblings
  • Green card holders sponsoring spouses and unmarried children
  • Immigrants married to U.S. citizens filing for green cards
  • Couples applying through the K-1 fiancé visa process
  • Survivors of abuse or abandonment seeking relief under humanitarian immigration laws


We walk with you from start to finish—whether that means compiling documents, attending interviews, or fighting a denial on appeal. Our goal is simple: to help you bring—and keep—your family together legally, safely, and permanently.

A white and blue triangle on a white background.

Avoiding Common Mistakes That Cost Families Time, Money, and Peace of Mind

How Our Attorneys Help You Prevent Denials and Delays

Family-based immigration may seem straightforward, but USCIS applies strict scrutiny to every detail—especially in marriage-based cases or petitions involving relatives from countries with high rates of visa fraud. Even minor inconsistencies in paperwork, financial statements, or interview answers can trigger costly denials or extended delays.


Pedro L. Salim Law Firm helps you avoid these common pitfalls with proactive legal preparation. We assist with:


  • Determining which process applies: adjustment of status (for those already in the U.S.) vs. consular processing (for those abroad)
  • Gathering comprehensive evidence of a real marital relationship: joint leases, taxes, photos, messages, and more
  • Filing the proper forms (e.g., I-130, I-485, DS-260, I-864, I-765, I-131) and supporting documentation
  • Addressing prior visa overstays, unauthorized employment, or prior removals
  • Coordinating with criminal defense attorneys to manage post-conviction relief when arrests affect admissibility
  • Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), or Notices to Appear in immigration court


We also represent couples during the interview process and help resolve complications like prior marriages, language barriers, or missing foreign documents. If your loved one is detained or placed in deportation proceedings, we work alongside our deportation defense team to preserve your family’s right to stay together.

We represent U.S. citizens and green card holders applying for permanent residence for their spouses, guiding them through the adjustment or consular process and preparing them for the marriage interview.

If you are engaged to a foreign national, we help you file the K-1 petition, gather required proof of intent to marry, and transition to a green card after the wedding.

For those already in the U.S., we file concurrent I-130 and I-485 applications and help with supporting forms like I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (travel document).

We assist families with NVC filings and prepare applicants for consular interviews abroad. We also assist with medical exams, police certificates, and affidavit of support documentation.

If you obtained a 2-year conditional green card, we help you and your spouse jointly file Form I-751 or file a waiver if the marriage ended or involved abuse.

Spouses, children, or parents of abusive U.S. citizens or green card holders can petition for lawful permanent residence without their abuser’s help.

A man and a woman are sitting on a bench at an airport.

What You’ll Need—and What We’ll Help You Prepare

Building a Strong, Legally Sound Family Petition

Our firm ensures that your family-based case is built with clear, credible documentation that anticipates USCIS’s questions and avoids costly mistakes.


We help you prepare:



If your family member is also applying for citizenship in the future, we help build their record to support that path as well. We also coordinate with our criminal defense team and offer support for injury-related immigration issues that affect dependents.

Family Immigration FAQs

Answers to Common Questions From Families Navigating Immigration Together

  • How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to sponsor a spouse or child?

    U.S. citizen spouses and children under 21 are considered immediate relatives—no waitlist. Green card processing can take 12–24 months depending on the case type and USCIS location.

  • Can I petition for my spouse if I entered the U.S. illegally?

    Possibly, depending on your current status and whether a waiver is available. We evaluate the need for a waiver of unlawful presence or misrepresentation.

  • What if my marriage ended but I have a green card?

    If you have a conditional green card and are no longer with your spouse, you may still file Form I-751 with a waiver. We help build strong, abuse-based or hardship cases.

  • Can I file for a fiancé who is currently abroad?

    Yes. We help U.S. citizens file Form I-129F to begin the K-1 visa process and work through all documentation and eligibility requirements.

  • Will my criminal record affect my ability to sponsor a spouse?

    Certain crimes may raise concerns during background checks. We work with our criminal defense team to determine if post-conviction relief can resolve issues.