Attorney Larisa Schneider can help
Immigration Attorney Larisa Schneider immigrated to the United States from Russia and now serves clients in Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio, and surrounding areas. She clearly understands the immigration process and the needs of her clients. Larisa is also fluent in Russian and knows the intricacies of the law and the hurdles that immigrants must overcome in order to achieve their immigration goals. A few areas she has worked in include, but are not limited to:
- Family-based green card
- Employment authorization document
- Naturalization
- Asylum
- Immigration appeals
Immigration law allows for the immigration of foreigners to the U.S. based on a relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. U.S. citizens may petition for their spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Legal permanent residents may petition for their spouses and unmarried children.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have special immigration priority and don’t have to wait in line for a visa number to become available for them to immigrate. Eligible immediate relatives of the US citizen are:
- Spouse
- Unmarried child under the age of 21
- Parent (if the U.S. citizen is over the age of 21)
Family Preference Category
If the family member of the U.S. citizen is not an immediate relative, then the U.S. citizen may be able to sponsor them if they fit a “family preference category.” Eligible relatives include:
- Unmarried child under the age of 21
- Married children
- Brothers and sisters (if the U.S. citizen petitioner is over 21) Congress has limited the number of relatives who may immigrate under these categories each year so there is usually a waiting period before an immigrant visa number becomes available.
Special category
Also, you may be eligible to get a green card as a member of a special category that includes:
- battered spouse or child
- a K nonimmigrant
- a person born to a foreign diplomat in the U.S.
- a V nonimmigrant or
- a widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
Naturalization
To be eligible for naturalization, the applicant must be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 5 years. For spouses of U.S. citizens, the required period of permanent residence is 3 years if they have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse. All applicants must also generally meet requirements for physical presence in the U.S., good moral character, be able to read, write and speak English, and have knowledge and understanding of the U.S. history and government.
Immigration Appeals
Some unfavorable decisions in immigration matters can be appealed to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), an office within the Department of Justice. Larisa Schneider assists clients with these appeals. Also, she will advise you whether you have grounds to file a motion to reopen or motion to reconsider, if the BIA issued an unfavorable decision in your case.
If you are living in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky and are in need of help from an Immigration Attorney, contact Larisa Schneider today at (859) 803-4450.