After having immigrated to Illinois yourself, you may likely want your family to reunite with you here. You may feel concerned about them encountering some of the same challenges you faced during the immigration and naturalization process, you can rest assured that U.S. immigration policy emphasizes family reunification.
The potential assistance your family members may find in securing their own entry into the U.S. depends on both your status and your relationship with them.
Unlimited visas available for immediate relatives
Per the U.S. State Department, there is no limit placed on the number of visas made available to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. “Immediate relatives” in this context include:
- Spouses
- Unmarried minor children
- Parents
Data from recent years shows that the U.S. issues between 450,000 and 550,000 visas to immediate relatives to U.S. citizens annually.
The Family Preference Program
What if you have a relative that does not fall into either of the aforementioned categories (or you are a legal permanent resident rather than a naturalized citizen)? In such a case, your relatives still may qualify for assistance in securing a visa under the Family Preference Program. This program makes 23,400 visas available to unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens, 87,900 visas available to spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents, and 26,300 visas for unmarried adult children for LPRs. There are also 23,400 available for married adult children of U.S. citizens, and 65,000 for siblings of U.S. citizens.
The law requires that the Family Preference Program issue at least 226,000 visas annually. However, it also allows for more visas from other immigrant categories. Indeed, information demonstrates that immigrants claim close to 500,000 visas through this program annually.
You can find more information on family immigration by continuing to explore our site.
