A criminal charge can affect your immigration status
September 14, 2026
Why a plea that looks small in state court can have serious immigration consequences, and what to ask your defense attorney for.
Read article →Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and Sheboygan counties · Chicago Immigration Court
Do you want to file for your spouse, child, or parent?
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident can petition for certain relatives. The path depends on who is petitioning, how the relative entered, and their history. Attorney Javier Irizarry Lugo tells you which path exists for your family before you spend money on forms.
4.7★ 9 on Google
92% recommend on Facebook (22)
20+ years as an attorney
Chicago Immigration Court · Wisconsin circuit courts
What is happening
- The family petition (I-130) establishes the relationship. Then comes residency: adjustment of status inside the United States, or consular processing in the home country.
- How the relative entered the country, whether they left and returned, and any record completely change the options. Sometimes a waiver is needed before residency.
- Mistakes at this stage are expensive: an application filed through the wrong path can put the person at risk.
What the attorney does
- Reviews the relative's full immigration history before filing anything, and tells you whether the case is viable and through which path.
- Prepares the petition, the residency application, and the waiver if needed, with the evidence USCIS expects.
- Accompanies you to the interview and responds to requests for additional evidence.
What to bring to the consultation
- Proof of your citizenship or residency.
- Marriage or birth certificate showing the relationship.
- Everything you know about how and when the relative entered the United States.
- Any prior application and its response.
- Papers from any criminal case involving the relative.
Common questions
How long does it take?
It depends on the category and the country. The attorney gives you a realistic range for your case; no one can promise a date.
Can my spouse stay while it is processed?
It depends on how they entered and their current status. That is exactly what the consultation analyzes before anything is filed.
Can I petition for my parents or siblings?
A citizen over 21 can petition for parents and siblings; a permanent resident cannot. Waits vary widely by category.