If you are looking to bring a spouse, fiancé(e), child, or parent to the United States, or secure permanent residence for a loved one already here, our Boerne family visa lawyers can help you apply and avoid setbacks.
Since 2016, Mendoza Law has handled family-based immigration matters with a strategy-driven approach supported by over 100 years of combined legal experience. Whether you are petitioning for a spouse, fiancé(e), child, or parent, we guide you through each stage of the process with careful preparation.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and review your options with one of our Boerne immigration lawyers today.
Family-Based Immigration Options
U.S. immigration law allows certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain immigrant visas or lawful permanent residence. The process depends on both your relationship to the beneficiary and whether a visa number is immediately available.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may petition for a spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents without being subject to annual visa limits. Other categories, including petitions filed by lawful permanent residents or for adult children, are subject to numerical caps and priority date backlogs.
Our legal team will identify the correct legal category for your case and explain how visa availability may affect timing. This ensures that your expectations are aligned with current immigration law and processing realities.
Who Our Boerne Family Visa Lawyers Represent
We represent both petitioners and beneficiaries in a range of family-based immigration matters. This includes U.S. citizens seeking to reunite with immediate relatives and lawful permanent residents petitioning for qualifying family members.
In our practice, we routinely assist with:
- Spousal and fiancé(e) petitions.
- Petitions for minor and adult children.
- Petitions for parents of U.S. citizens.
- Step-relationship cases where eligibility depends on timing and legal recognition.
- Same-sex marriages, which are fully recognized under federal immigration law.
If your case involves prior visa denials, unlawful presence, or other immigration history issues, we can evaluate those factors and explain how they may affect your case.
The Process From Petition to Green Card
Most family-based immigration cases begin with a petition to establish the qualifying relationship. We prepare and file Form I-130 for most relatives or Form I-129F for fiancé(e) cases, along with supporting documentation that demonstrates the legal basis for the petition.
Once the petition is approved, the case proceeds in one of two directions. If your relative is outside the United States, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center and then scheduled for a consular interview. If your relative is already in the United States and eligible, they may apply for adjustment of status using Form I-485.
At each stage, our Boerne family visa attorneys make sure your filings are complete, consistent, and supported by the required evidence so that the case can move forward without avoidable delays.
Choosing Between Consular Processing and Adjustment of Status
Whether your case proceeds through consular processing or adjustment of status depends on your relative’s location and immigration history.
If your relative is in the United States and entered lawfully, adjustment of status may allow them to remain here while the application is pending. If they are outside the country, or if adjustment is not available, consular processing will be required.
Issues such as unlawful presence, prior immigration violations, or the need for a waiver can affect which path is appropriate. We’ll review these factors with you before proceeding so that your case is structured correctly.
Evidence Required for a Family Visa Case
A successful petition must establish both the legal relationship and, where required, the authenticity of that relationship. In marriage-based cases, this means demonstrating that the relationship was entered into in good faith and not for immigration purposes.
Your lawyer will work with you to gather and organize the right documentation, which can include civil records, financial sponsorship evidence, and proof of shared life. Rather than submitting excessive or irrelevant materials, we focus on evidence that directly supports the legal standard.
We also review all forms and documents together to ensure consistency. Differences in dates, names, or prior history across filings are a common cause of delays and must be addressed before submission.
What to Expect at the Interview
Many family-based cases require an interview with USCIS or a U.S. consulate. The purpose of the interview is to confirm eligibility and, in certain cases, to evaluate the credibility of the relationship.
We prepare you by reviewing your application, discussing the types of questions you may be asked, and identifying any areas that may require clarification. You will know what documents to bring and how to present your information clearly and accurately.
This preparation is particularly important in marriage-based cases, where officers may ask detailed questions about your relationship, shared life, and history.
Timing, Costs, and Practical Considerations
Processing times vary depending on the type of petition, visa availability, and the agency handling your case. Immediate relative cases are generally not subject to visa backlogs, while preference categories may involve extended waiting periods.
You should also plan for government filing fees, medical examinations, translations, and related costs. In addition, there may be limitations on travel or employment while certain applications are pending.
Our legal team will thoroughly review these factors with you, so that you can make informed decisions and plan appropriately during the process.
Contact Mendoza Law to Speak With a Boerne Family Visa Attorney About Your Case
Before you file anything, it is worth understanding where your case actually stands. In many family-based matters, issues are not obvious until the record is reviewed closely.
At Mendoza Law, we take the time to look at those details with you and determine whether your case is ready to proceed, needs to be adjusted, or requires a different approach altogether.
Contact Attorney Maria today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our family visa attorneys in Boerne to get started.