As the current political environment almost certainly signals a coming reduction in family-based immigration, it’s a good idea to go ahead and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative while it’s still possible. Getting an application into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) system provides a modicum of protection in efforts to bring family members to live in the United States if and when new rules go into effect.
Generally speaking, new laws go into effect at the time of their adoption. Most often, new legislation doesn’t go into effect retroactively.
The form is available to citizens and lawful permanent residents as a means of establishing relationship ties with alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States. Generally speaking, USCIS requires a separate Form I-130 filing for each eligible relative. The agency also requires filing on Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
In order to submit an application for acceptance, USCIS insists applicants completes all sections. USCIS rejects all applications with any of these missing fields:
- Part 1– Relationship
- Part 2– Applicant Information
Full Name
Birth Date
Mailing Address
Marital Information
- Part 4– Beneficiary Information
Full Name of Beneficiary
Birth Date
Physical Address of Beneficiary
Marital Information about Beneficiary
USCIS also warns it rejects any unsigned forms and applications containing electronic chips and batteries as well as those containing non-paper materials like CD-ROMS and DVDs. On the other hand, USCIS accepts documentation in the form of photographs, copies and printouts as well as information held on any thumb drive or other storage device.
The filing fee for each application is $535.
Finally, be sure to use the most current edition of the form. Otherwise, USCIS will reject the application and return the filing fee.
