Family Visas With You From Beginning To End

Family Visa Attorney in Miami

Clear Family Visa Guidance from an Attorney Who Has Lived the Process

A family-based immigration case turns on three questions: What is the qualifying relationship, what is the sponsor’s immigration status, and where does the relative currently live? The answers determine the appropriate category, whether a visa is available, and whether the relative may apply from inside or outside the United States.

Our family visa lawyer in Miami helps sponsors and relatives understand their options before moving forward. We represent clients in family-based petitions and applications for permanent residence, developing an individualized strategy around the facts of each case.

Discuss your family immigration options with our firm. Call (305) 444-0099 to schedule an initial consultation.

Which Family Relationships May Qualify?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may petition for certain relatives, but their options aren’t identical. The sponsor’s status and family relationship determine whether the relative falls within an immediate-relative classification or a family preference category.

Common qualifying relationships include:

Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21.
Unmarried adult children, married children, and siblings of qualifying U.S. citizens.
Spouses and qualifying unmarried children of lawful permanent residents.

Preference cases depend on a priority date, which generally marks a person’s place in the visa queue, as well as current visa availability. Fiancé and marriage-based matters may involve separate requirements. We examine the exact relationship instead of treating every family case alike.

Individualized Guidance Grounded in Immigration Experience

Attorney Juliana G. Lamardo has represented clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in family-based petitions and residency applications. Before founding our firm in 2016, she spent more than six years as a senior associate at a private immigration law firm, where she handled thousands of immigration cases.

Juliana also experienced the immigration process firsthand after moving from Brazil to the United States as a child and later becoming a lawful permanent resident and U.S. citizen. That perspective shapes our in-depth consultations, responsive communication, and one-on-one representation. We develop each strategy around the client’s relationship, immigration history, documents, and intended processing route.

From Family Petition to Permanent Residence

Family-based immigration commonly begins with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This petition asks U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to recognize a qualifying relationship. Approval doesn’t automatically grant permanent residence. The next stage depends on eligibility, visa availability, and the relative’s location.

A case may involve the following stages:

Relationship documentation: Gathering identity records, proof of the sponsor’s citizenship or permanent residence, and civil documents establishing the family connection.
Petition preparation: Preparing Form I-130 and supporting materials, then responding to agency requests that may arise during review.
Residency processing: Pursuing adjustment of status for an eligible person applying within the United States or consular processing for a relative applying abroad.
Final-stage documentation: Completing required financial evidence, including the Affidavit of Support, and preparing consistent records for any required interview.

Immediate-Relative & Family Preference Categories

Immediate-relative classifications generally cover a U.S. citizen’s spouse, unmarried child under 21, and parent when the citizen is at least 21. These visas aren’t subject to the annual numerical limits that govern preference classifications, although the petitioner and beneficiary must still meet all applicable requirements.

Family preference categories are numerically limited and organized by relationship:

F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens
F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents
F2B: Unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents
F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
F4: Siblings of adult U.S. citizens

The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, a monthly chart showing availability in preference categories based on priority dates and country-specific limits. Movement isn’t always predictable, and availability may change from one bulletin to the next.

Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing?

Adjustment of status is generally available to an eligible beneficiary who is already in the United States. Eligibility may depend on the person’s manner of entry, current immigration status, visa availability, and other facts.

Consular processing is generally used when the relative is abroad. After petition approval and once a visa is available, the case may proceed through the National Visa Center, which coordinates documents and fees before an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Prior immigration history and grounds of inadmissibility, meaning legal reasons someone may be barred from admission, can affect either route.

Documents & Issues That Require Careful Review

Required documents vary by relationship, category, and processing path. They may include birth and marriage certificates, identity records, proof of citizenship or permanent residence, certified translations when necessary, and financial-support evidence.

Closer review may be necessary when records contain inconsistent names or dates, a relative was the subject of an earlier petition, or the case involves previous immigration violations or criminal history. Juliana G. Lamardo’s practice includes family-based petitions, residency applications, and waivers involving criminal activity. Whether a waiver or another response may be available depends on the specific facts and current law.

Clarify the Right Immigration Route for Your Family

A consultation can clarify the qualifying relationship, potential category, required documents, and appropriate processing route. It also allows us to identify earlier petitions, immigration violations, criminal history, or other issues that could affect the case.

We combine current immigration-law knowledge with firsthand perspective, responsive communication, and individualized representation. Because processing rules, interview procedures, and visa availability can change, we evaluate each family’s circumstances under current law.

Call (305) 444-0099 to speak with our family visa lawyer about sponsoring your relative.

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"Having Juliana as my attorney was definitely the best decision"
Going through the immigration process is overwhelming. But having Juliana as my attorney was definitely the best decision - always responsive, caring, and genuinely invested in helping me. Today I’m holding my approval because of her hard work and guidance. I can’t thank her enough and would recommend her to anyone who wants an attorney that truly cares. I don’t have words to express how thankful I am. Thank you so much Juliana!!!

- D.C.
"She is amazing!!"
They say marriage interviews you are to be afraid of - but with Ms. Lamardo, that is out the door. Juliana helped us get all together, talked to us, gave us a preview and we felt way more confident. The day arrived and it was so fun with her, we laughed, we met other attorneys, we even forgot that we had the interview. We went in, and everything went smoothly. It was great! She is amazing!! Of course before all that fun we had some serious time to prepare and get everything we needed and she helped us do that and her name is well known so we were good. I just want to say - Thank you very very much!

- Luis
"Thank you, Juliana for all your help with my case."
She is very knowledgeable, thorough, a great communicator, and truly represents best interests of her clients. If Juliana takes your case, you can be confident that she will do everything and will win it. Besides being an outstanding professional, she also has a very nice personality, and it's simply a pleasure to work with her. Thank you, Juliana for all your help with my case.

- Wojciech
"My level of happiness for my case being approved is equal to how much grateful I am to Ms. Juliana."
Today I got the news from Ms. Juliana that my case was approved and I'm so excited that I can't thank her enough for all her professionalism, support and guidance since day one. She is not only an outstanding attorney but a great and warm person. She gives you that extra piece of mind that you need when going through this immigration process. My level of happiness for my case being approved is equal to how much grateful I am to Ms. Juliana.

- Fabiana
"With great appreciation I like to say thank you Juliana for all your great effort in helping me become a citizen."
With great appreciation I like to say thank you Juliana for all your great effort in helping me become a citizen. It was a long journey and I do appreciate your consistency and dedication in handling my case. You were very sweet during the entire process and understanding. I will forever be thankful and will always keep you in mind for whoever I can refer you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Peter.

- Peter
"Went Above and Beyond"
Juliana started to work on our file and completely turned an unpleasant situation into a very positive one. She handled our situation with the utmost care and went above and beyond every step of the process. Whenever we had a question she answered promptly or got back to us with a reasonable amount of time. Her customer service was exceptional and I appreciate the care she gave to us during a very difficult time in my families life. I highly recommend.

- Alfonso & Stephanie
"An Absolutely Incredible Job on My Case"
Ms. Lamardo did an absolutely incredible job on my case. She listened attentively to my concerns and addressed every single item I was worried about. I have had a series of very bad experiences with multiple attorneys and Ms. Lamardo came highly recommended for her experience and professionalism. She went above and beyond even showing up to USCIS when no one would return her calls or emails about my case. NOW HERE I AM, VERY HAPPY TO BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT. Next, my citizenship. THANK YOU JULIANA, YOU SAVED MY LIFE. If you are looking for the best, I strongly recommend you call Ms. Lamardo before you waste your time and money on a bait and switch firm. She will attend to your case personally.

- Mario
"Solved My Case the Best Way Possible"
I highly recommend this lawyer as she has solved my case the best way possible! She's friendly and replies to all of my e-mails promptly. Extremely professional!

- Anonymous

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Why is Juliana G. Lamardo, Attorney at Law The Best Attorney for YOU?

Specializes in Complicated or Overlooked Cases
Juliana and her team understand and work hard to fight the cases that other attorneys turn away.
Quick to Respond
Juliana and her team are very good at communicating quickly and working on Detention Cases.
Knowledge of the Law
Juliana is very experienced with Immigration Law including Bond Cases and Complicated Removal Cases.
Same Attorney From Start to Finish
Always work directly with Attorney Juliana G. Lamardo from the beginning of your case through to the end.
An Attorney Who Understands
Juliana was an immigrant herself and understands the difficulties her clients face.
Services Available in English, Spanish & Portuguese
Speak directly to an attorney who understands the immigration process.

(305) 444-0099 Nosotros Hablamos Español

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