Immigration Law 101: Family-Based Immigration Law.

This article provides an overview of family-based immigration law and the work of family-based immigration practitioners. These practitioners assist clients in filing petitions for family members, including spouses, children, and parents. The article explains the various forms and permits involved in the process, such as the I-130 petition and the I-485 application. It also discusses the challenges faced by practitioners, including the need to explain the complexities of the immigration system to clients from countries where mistrust of attorneys and government agencies is common. The article further explores the different agencies involved in immigration law, such as USCIS, CBP, ERO, and EOIR. It also explains the eligibility categories for immigration, including immediate relatives and preference relatives, and the wait times associated with each category. The article concludes by mentioning related areas of practice, such as asylum applications and deportation defense, and the importance of empathy and providing guidance to clients beyond immigration matters. The author, Danielle Hernandez, is an immigration attorney who runs a virtual-forward law practice called DVH Law Group. [Extracted from the article]