On Friday, April 28, 2023, the national government confirmed that Colombia and the United States agreed to the inclusion of the country in the family reunification programTherefore, it is expected that regional migrant processing centers will be established to facilitate orderly, legal and safe migration to the North American country.
“We have agreed with the United States on special centers and offices to process family reunification processes and emigration of Colombians to the US in an orderly and legal manner. They will be placed in various places in the country”, commented President Gustavo Petro.
According to United States Department of State, with the measure it is expected that the illegal crossings of migrants hoping to enter the North American country will be reduced. All this, thanks to the expansion of legal channels. According to the State Department, these measures “build on the successful outcome of recent processes that have substantially reduced illegal border crossings, through a combination of more legal pathways and expedited removal of those who do not use those legal pathways.” .
Among the measures taken by the two countries is the reunification or family reunification, with which immigrants, who have already become immigrants, are allowed American citizens or who are in a status of permanent residentsrequest the permanent residence visa of direct relatives such as children, siblings or parents.
Individuals with US citizenship may have the option to apply for a green card for their fiancé or fiancée, children, spouse, parents, and siblings; while people who are in legal permanent resident status can only claim their spouse and unmarried children.
According to the entity in charge of carrying out immigration processes in the United States, through the Form I-130, citizens and permanent residents must prove the relationship with your family member to approve the petition.
“Usually, we approve your Form I-130 if you can show the relationship between you and the relative that qualifies your relative to immigrate to the United States. Generally, once we approve the petition, your family member can apply to become an LPR (Legal Permanent Resident).”
At the time of submitting the application for reunification or family reunification, the immigration authorities of the United States will grant permanent residence as long as it meets some conditions:
You may be eligible if you are immediate family of a U.S. citizen if you are the spouse, single son under 21 years of age or father of a US citizen who is at least 21 years of age.
To be eligible as a relative of a US citizen You must meet the following requirements: be an unmarried child and 21 years of age or older; married child of a US citizen, or sibling of a US citizen who is at least 21 years of age.
To be requested by a lawful permanent resident in the United States must be the spouse or unmarried child under or over the age of 21. You can also apply as a fiancé or child of a fiancé of a US citizen.
Another way to be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States is to be the widow or widower of a U.S. citizen as long as you were married to the citizen at the time of death.
If you meet any of the requested requirements, for now and while the regional immigration processing centers are being established, your family member with US citizenship or permanent residence may apply online by creating a USCIS account onlinewhere you must provide the evidence and pay the corresponding fees.
