Family Reunification Lawyer Serving Bergen County, New Jersey
A family reunification lawyer Bergen County helps you legally bring family members to the U.S. through petitions like the I-130. The process is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.) and involves strict deadlines and evidence requirements. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced guidance for Bergen County residents handling family-based immigration at the USCIS Newark Field Office and Newark Immigration Court.
What Is Family Reunification Under U.S. Law?
Family reunification is the cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy, allowing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor certain family members for immigration benefits. The process is defined by federal statutes, primarily the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A successful petition requires proving a qualifying family relationship and that the sponsoring relative meets financial requirements. As a former prosecutor with a background in contested cases strategy, Mr. Sris leads our firm’s approach to these detailed legal matters.
Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage | U.S. Congress
Official Government Resources
For the official text of immigration laws, refer to the U.S. Code, Title 8 (Aliens and Nationality). For forms, filing fees, and processing times, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
The Family Reunification Process in Bergen County
For Bergen County residents, family-based applications are typically filed with or adjudicated at the USCIS Newark Field Office. A key local procedural fact is that New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive limits local law enforcement cooperation with ICE detainers, which can affect certain cases. The process demands precise documentation and adherence to federal timelines.
- Determine Eligibility: Confirm you have a qualifying relationship (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) and that you, as the petitioner, meet income requirements.
- File the Immigrant Petition: Submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS along with proof of your status and the family relationship.
- Wait for Petition Approval: USCIS processes the I-130. Processing times vary based on visa category and country of origin.
- Apply for an Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status: Once the petition is approved and a visa is available, the beneficiary applies for a green card either through consular processing abroad or by adjusting status in the U.S.
- Attend the Interview: The beneficiary attends an interview with a USCIS officer or consular officer to verify the application details.
- Receive a Decision: If approved, the beneficiary receives lawful permanent resident status.
Why Experience Matters in Family Reunification Cases
Founded in 1997, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to contested immigration matters. Our founder, Mr. Sris, is a former prosecutor whose background in accounting and information systems provides a unique advantage in cases requiring detailed financial documentation for sponsorship. The firm has a documented record of 4,739+ case results with a favorable outcome rate exceeding 93% firm-wide.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case Results and Client Advocacy
While every case is unique, our firm-wide commitment to vigorous advocacy has resulted in 4,739+ documented case results across all practice areas and jurisdictions. In immigration, this includes successful I-130 petitions, adjustments of status, and defenses against removal. We approach each family reunification lawyer Bergen County case with the goal of achieving a favorable resolution for our clients.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact a Family Reunification Lawyer Near You in Bergen County
If you need a family reunification lawyer near me Bergen County, our firm is accessible. We serve clients throughout Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgewood, and surrounding communities. We offer 24/7 phone consultations for your convenience.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New Jersey Location — 44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (732) 455-9120
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions: Family Reunification
Who can I petition for as a U.S. citizen?
Yes, U.S. citizens can petition for spouses, unmarried children under 21, unmarried sons and daughters over 21, married children of any age, parents, and siblings. There are no annual visa caps for immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, and parents), but there are for other categories, skilled to waiting periods.
What is the difference between consular processing and adjustment of status?
It depends on where the family member is located. Consular processing is for beneficiaries outside the U.S., who will interview at a U.S. embassy. Adjustment of status is for those already lawfully present in the U.S., who file with USCIS. An affordable family reunification lawyer Bergen County can advise on the best path for your specific situation.
How long does the family reunification process take?
The timeline varies widely. Immediate relative petitions may take 8-14 months for a green card. For family preference categories (like siblings or married adult children), waits can extend several years or decades due to annual visa limits and country-specific backlogs. A lawyer can provide a current estimate based on your category.
Can I sponsor a family member if I have a green card?
Yes, lawful permanent residents can petition for spouses and unmarried children. However, the visa categories for green card holders have longer waiting times than those for U.S. citizens, and you cannot petition for parents, married children, or siblings.
What happens if my I-130 petition is denied?
You typically have the right to appeal the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or, in some cases, file a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS. The specific options and deadlines depend on the grounds for denial. Immediate legal review is important.
Bergen County questions and answers
What does family reunification mean in immigration law?
Family reunification refers to the immigration paths that allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring spouses, children, parents and, for citizens, siblings to the United States. Each category has its own eligibility rules and waiting period. Mr. Sris and the firm's Of Counsel attorneys help Bergen County families choose the category that reunites them soonest under the current visa bulletin.
Can my child join me in Bergen County while the petition is pending?
In most family categories the relative must wait abroad until a visa is available, although some relatives already in the United States may remain while adjusting status. Certain humanitarian programs allow earlier entry for specific nationalities or situations. The firm checks whether any such program applies before advising a Bergen County family to wait for the standard process.
What happens if a child turns 21 during the reunification process?
A child who turns 21 may move to a slower category, but the federal Child Status Protection Act can freeze the child's age in some situations, depending on the petition date and visa availability. The calculation is technical and the result changes the wait by years. The firm reviews the dates for every child in a Bergen County family petition to see whether protection applies.
Your case in Bergen County, New Jersey
Divorce, custody, support and domestic-violence matters are heard in the Family Part of the Chancery Division. In Bergen County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage (2nd Vicinage), 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, telephone (201) 527-2700, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2 (grounds for divorce) and N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 (custody). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Bergen County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Bergen County NJ lawyers directory · Family Reunification Attorney Middlesex County, NJ · Family Reunification Lawyer Essex County, NJ · Family Reunification Lawyer Hudson County, NJ.