Family Petitions | Broward County
Family Petitions in Broward County, Handled Step by Step
AG Immigration Law P.A. focuses on family-based petitions for U.S. citizens and green card holders in Broward County and throughout Florida. Adriana Gomez is the responsible attorney for this page. Reach out to talk through your family's situation.
By Adriana Gomez · Published October 30, 2026
A family petition is the first step toward a green card for a close relative. A U.S. citizen or green-card holder may file a petition on behalf of a spouse, which shows a qualifying family relationship. This guide explains who can file, how the case moves, and what our office handles for Broward County families. Eligibility depends on the facts, so each case starts with a close look at the relationship and each person’s immigration history.
What a Family Petition Is and Who It Is For
A family petition asks the government to recognize a family relationship. The person who files is the petitioner. The relative named in the petition is the beneficiary.
Under 8 C.F.R. § 204.2, a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident may file a petition on behalf of a spouse. Other relatives fall under separate rules.
Immediate relatives are the children, spouses, and parents of a U.S. citizen. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1151, the term “immediate relatives” means the children, spouses, and parents of a citizen of the United States, except that, in the case of parents, such citizens shall be at least 21 years of age.
Other relatives fall into family preference categories. Immediate relatives are not subject to direct numerical limitations; the statute limits the family preference categories each year, so the wait for other relatives can be long. Under the same statute, family-sponsored immigrants may not exceed 27 percent of the worldwide level in the first three quarters of a fiscal year.
The petition proves the relationship only. The green card itself comes in a later step. Bring marriage, birth, or custody records and any past immigration filings to your first meeting.
If you're ready to file for a spouse or parent, or your spouse's conditional green card is nearing its deadline, contact our office to book a paid consultation. Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.
What Our Family Petition Work Covers
Our family petition work covers the filing and the steps that follow it.
- Preparing and filing Form I-130 with proof of the relationship, such as marriage, birth, and prior-marriage records.
- Coordinating adjustment of status when the beneficiary is in the United States and eligible.
- Removing conditions on a conditional green card, including the joint petition and any waiver request.
- Requesting waivers tied to the family case, when the facts support one.
- Responding to Requests for Evidence and tracking the case with USCIS.
- Appealing a USCIS denial, including filings on Form I-290B.
- Removal defense and BIA appeals when a family case moves into immigration court.
We also handle naturalization for green-card holders who meet the requirements. Because these steps connect, one review can look at the whole path.
How the Process Works: Step by Step
A family petition moves through six stages, from the first consultation to the final interview.
- Paid consultation. We review the relationship, each person’s immigration history, and any past denials or pending cases.
- Document plan. We build a checklist of civil records, photos, and proof of shared life. Foreign documents may need certified translations.
- Filing. The petition goes to USCIS with the required government fee.
- Receipt and tracking. The receipt notice starts case tracking. Processing times vary by category and change over time.
- Next stage. If the beneficiary is in the United States, we prepare adjustment of status. If not, the case moves toward consular processing abroad. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1255, certain people cannot adjust, including some in unlawful status, unless they have an approved petition for classification as a VAWA self-petitioner; the unlawful status bar does not reach immediate relatives, but the bar still applies to any alien who was employed while an unauthorized alien or who has otherwise violated the terms of a nonimmigrant visa.
- Requests and interviews. We answer any Request for Evidence and prepare clients for interviews.
Missing one document can slow the whole case. Keep records in order from day one.
Family Petitions for Broward County Residents
Broward County families file family petitions for the same federal reasons as families elsewhere in Florida. Common situations include:
- A U.S. citizen spouse in Fort Lauderdale or Pembroke Pines files for a foreign-born spouse.
- Only a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older may file a petition for a parent.
- A couple with a conditional green card must file a joint petition to remove the conditions within the 90-day period immediately preceding the second anniversary of the date on which the green card was obtained, unless the joint petition cannot be filed due to the termination of the marriage through annulment, divorce, or the death of the petitioning spouse, or the petitioning spouse refuses to join in the filing; in those cases the conditional resident may apply for a waiver of the requirement to file the joint petition.
Clients in Florida may contact the firm to discuss their matter, including clients in Broward County, Miami, and Orlando. Some matters may need to be referred to another lawyer or firm. If that happens, we will tell you. If you need a family petitions lawyer Broward County families can rely on for the full filing, our office can review your case from start to finish.
Why Clients Work With AG Immigration Law P.A.
AG Immigration Law P.A. focuses on immigration matters, including family petitions, removal defense, adjustment of status, naturalization, and BIA appeals. Adriana Gomez is the lawyer responsible for this page.
Our team includes assistants and office staff. They help organize records, track deadlines, and keep each file moving.
Family cases often connect to other questions. A denied petition, a conditional green card, or a removal case can change the plan. Because the firm handles those matters too, related questions can be reviewed together.
Common Questions About Family Petitions
Answers turn on the relationship, the category, and each person’s history.
Can I file if my relative entered without inspection?
That question turns on the beneficiary’s full history. We review that history in a consultation.
Does the petitioner’s income matter?
The sponsor signs an affidavit of support. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1183a, that duty can end after 40 qualifying quarters of work, among other conditions.
Can a prior denial be fixed?
The right option turns on the reason for denial. For denials of legalization, special agricultural worker, or replenishment agricultural worker applications, an appeal must be taken within 30 days after service of the notification of decision, under 8 C.F.R. § 103.3.
Does the beneficiary’s location matter?
Yes. The beneficiary’s location and eligibility decide whether the case goes through adjustment of status in the United States or processing abroad, because adjustment of status under section 245 of the Act depends on the beneficiary’s eligibility, including inspection and admission or parole.
What if my spouse’s green card is conditional?
The joint petition must be filed within the 90-day period immediately preceding the second anniversary of permanent residence; if the joint petition cannot be filed due to the termination of the marriage through annulment, divorce, or the death of the petitioning spouse, or if the petitioning spouse refuses to join in the filing of the petition, the conditional resident may apply for a waiver of the joint filing requirement, under 8 C.F.R. § 216.4. A late filing needs written good cause.
Not sure what your next step is?
Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.
Book a Paid Consultation With Our Office
To start your family petition, contact our office and book a paid consultation. You can reach us in one of four ways:
- Fill out the contact form.
- Call the office.
- Message us on WhatsApp.
- Book a paid consultation.
Consultations are paid.
Gather your marriage, birth, and prior immigration records before you reach out. That way, the first meeting can focus on your plan.
How We Approach Your Family Petition
Careful Document Preparation
Family petitions depend on accurate forms and complete supporting evidence. We organize your records so the filing reflects your family's full history.
Review of the Full History
Prior entries, past filings, and immigration records all matter. We look at the complete picture before advising on next steps.
Clear Communication
We explain each stage of the process in plain language, so you know what is being filed and why.
Focused Immigration Practice
AG Immigration Law P.A. concentrates its work on immigration matters, including family petitions, adjustment of status, and naturalization.
Before You File
Small details in a family petition can affect the steps that follow. Share your complete immigration history with us before submitting forms or paperwork to any agency.
Family Petitions We Handle
Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Green Card Holders
We help petitioners prepare filings for a spouse seeking to immigrate based on the family relationship.
Children and Stepchildren
We assist with petitions for children, including the documentation needed to show the family relationship.
Parents and Siblings
We review petitions for parents and siblings, including the evidence that supports each relationship.
Follow-Up and Related Filings
When a petition leads to adjustment of status or another filing, we help you move through the next stage.