Family immigration, done right
I-130 petitions, marriage-based green cards, waivers, and consular processing — handled directly by your attorney.
Most immigration to the United States runs through family. If you're a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, federal law may let you petition for your spouse, children, parents, or siblings. The petition itself (Form I-130) is only the first move — the strategy that follows depends on the beneficiary's manner of entry, immigration history, and visa category, and getting that strategy wrong can add years to a case.
At Law Office of Patrick Smith, attorney Patrick Smith personally builds each family case: the petition, the right path to the green card (adjustment of status or consular processing), and any waiver the case needs. You get straight answers about timelines and risks before any filing goes out the door.
We serve families across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex from our Bedford office, and because immigration law is federal, we take cases nationwide.
Who you can petition for
- U.S. citizens may petition for a spouse, children (married or unmarried), parents, and siblings.
- Green card holders may petition for a spouse and unmarried children.
- Spouses, parents, and unmarried minor children of citizens are immediate relatives — no visa-number wait.
- Preference categories wait for a current priority date under the monthly Visa Bulletin — we track it for you.
Marriage-based green cards
The most common family case, and the one USCIS scrutinizes most closely. We handle:
- Concurrent I-130 + I-485 adjustment-of-status filings for spouses eligible to adjust inside the U.S.
- Consular processing through the National Visa Center and the U.S. consulate abroad.
- Marriage-interview preparation — including Stokes-style second interviews when USCIS has doubts.
- Conditional residence: Form I-751 to remove conditions on a 2-year green card, jointly or by waiver.
Waivers when there's a problem in the record
- Unlawful presence, prior removals, or misrepresentation don't always end a case — many have a waiver path.
- We evaluate I-601A provisional unlawful-presence waivers so families can wait together in the U.S. rather than risk a long separation abroad.
- A strong waiver stands on documented extreme hardship to a qualifying relative. We build that record deliberately — medical, financial, country-conditions and psychological evidence — not as an afterthought.
Let's talk about your case
The initial consultation is free, by phone, and lasts 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an I-130 petition take?
It depends on the category and where the case is processed. Immediate-relative cases generally move faster; preference categories can wait years for a current priority date under the Visa Bulletin. At your free consultation we'll map your category against current government processing times so you get a realistic expectation, not a guess.
Can my spouse get a green card if they entered without inspection?
Sometimes — but the path usually runs through consular processing plus an I-601A provisional waiver, and in some cases other options apply. The analysis turns on entry history, prior removals, and unlawful presence. This is precisely what we screen for before anything is filed, because filing the wrong way can trigger a 10-year bar.
Adjustment of status vs. consular processing — which is better?
Adjustment lets an eligible beneficiary finish the green card inside the U.S.; consular processing ends with an interview abroad. Eligibility, travel needs, risk tolerance, and case history decide which is right — and in some cases only one is legally available. We make that call with you at the start, in writing.
Do I need to be a financial sponsor?
Yes — nearly every family case requires the petitioner's Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), and household income must meet the federal guidelines. If your income falls short we'll tell you up front and help you line up a joint sponsor.
Do you handle fiancé(e) visas?
Yes. If you're a U.S. citizen engaged to someone abroad, a K-1 fiancé(e) visa may be faster than marrying first and petitioning — or it may not be, depending on the consulate and your plans. We'll compare both routes with you honestly.
Contact us
We're here to help. Write or call us to request your consultation.