Throughout history, our country has been a country of immigrants, a country where you can build a life for yourself and your family and hopefully achieve your desired American dream. Family-based immigration policies have always been a big part of this driving force of our history. Once a person immigrates, gets a job, and achieves residency or citizenship, they are then able to bring other members of their immediate family to build a life together.
Family-based immigration is generally easier to achieve when you are trying to sponsor your own spouse, your minor-aged children or your own parents. This is considered an “Immediate Relative” visa, and there is no cap on the number of visas issued each year. Other relatives fall into the category of “Family Preference,” and waiting for this type of visa can take years because there is a cap on the number of these visas issued annually.
Current policies have put more limits on family-based immigration, reducing the number of people who can come each year through this method. These new policies do not affect those who are already working and living in the U.S. or those who are permanent residents and are applying for U.S. citizenship. Starting in April 2020, visas have been greatly reduced through the end of 2020. If you are looking to sponsor your own spouse or minor children, it is more likely that this is still possible. Also, certain sectors of the workforce are exempt from these new rules, including agricultural laborers, some childcare providers and health care workers.