Families
Build your lives here together
Personalized immigration solutions for families looking to build a life in the U.S., together
Family immigration outcomes carry enormous weight, both emotionally and practically.
We stay with your family every step of the way: understanding your goals, navigating complex processes, and developing solutions that support long-term stability in the U.S. Our approach is personal, steady, and singularly focused on helping your family move forward, together.
Your Attorney
Rita Georges
Managing Partner
Rita leads the firm’s family immigration practice with the same thoroughness she brings to the corporate side, but with an added layer of empathy and personal understanding. She knows what separation does to families, and never treats your case like a file number.
Her experience spans straightforward spousal petitions, complex inadmissibility waivers, and everything in between. If your case has complications, Rita will find them before USCIS does… and she’ll have a plan ready.
Sponsoring a spouse or immediate relative
If you're a U.S. citizen sponsoring your spouse, your unmarried child under 21, or your parent, you're in the fastest category in family immigration.
When the path isn't straightforward
Not every family case is straightforward. Sometimes there's a prior immigration violation, an overstay, a previous denial, or a criminal issue that creates a bar to admission (what immigration law calls "inadmissibility").
Planning for the long wait
Not all family categories move quickly. If you're a permanent resident sponsoring a spouse, or a citizen sponsoring a married child or sibling, you're in a preference category with annual quotas.
Sponsoring a spouse or immediate relative
Immediate relatives have no annual quota, meaning no line to wait in. Once the petition is approved, you move directly to the green card stage.
That doesn't make it simple. The I-130 petition requires evidence that the relationship is genuine, and for married couples USCIS scrutinizes this closely. Joint accounts, shared leases, photos, travel records, communication history, affidavits from people who know you as a couple… how it's organized and presented can make the difference between a smooth approval and a Request for Evidence that adds months to your timeline.
If your spouse is already in the U.S., they may file for adjustment of status concurrently with the I-130, which means work authorization and travel permission while the green card is pending. If they're abroad, the case goes through consular processing, which involves a different timeline and an embassy interview. We handle both tracks and help you choose the right one.
When the path isn't straightforward
This is the part of family immigration that terrifies people, and understandably so. You've done everything right on the petition side, your relationship is genuine, and then you learn your spouse can't enter the U.S. or adjust status because of something in their history.
We handle inadmissibility cases regularly, including I-601 and I-601A waivers that require demonstrating extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen relative. These waivers aren't guaranteed, and the standard is demanding. But they're not impossible (especially with an attorney who has filed dozens). We identify the issue early and lay out your options honestly, including the realistic chances of success before you're surprised at a consular interview.
Planning for the long wait
Depending on country of birth, the wait can be anywhere from two years to more than twenty.
That's not a typo. Some preference categories have backlogs measured in decades, particularly for applicants from Mexico, the Philippines, India, and China.
We won't pretend it's not painful. What we can do, though, is help you manage the wait strategically: tracking your priority date and maintaining valid status if your family member is already here, understanding when and whether it makes sense to adjust categories, and staying ready so that the moment your date becomes current, you're ready to file.
For families looking at faster options, we also evaluate parallel pathways (employment-based or investment-based) that might get your loved one to the U.S. ahead of the family queue.
In their own words
I cannot say enough wonderful things about the entire team at Serotte Law, and how seamless they made my process in obtaining my nonimmigrant E1 Treaty Trader visa. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Rita Georges as my lawyer and Brenna Scanlon as my paralegal, both of whom offered incredible guidance through every step of the process. They both went out of their way to provide support not only outside standard business hours, but even during the Thanksgiving weekend when an urgent matter arose in my case. Danielle Roberts also played an important role supporting me throughout my journey and her dedication and timeliness were invaluable. Although the process was backlogged due to delays related to the pandemic, the entire team was continually in touch with me providing updates and any time I had a question (and there were many) I received a response almost instantly. Truly "white-glove", five star service from start to finish. Of note, the firm is especially skilled in working with entrepreneurs such as myself and was extremely detailed and meticulous in assembling my application package, leaving no detail to chance. In the instance I needed a referral to a business plan expert, they were quick to provide a recommendation with whom I also had an outstanding experience. Even for some unexpected issues in my case (namely, administrative processing) the entire team was both knowledgeable and supportive about what needed to be done such that I was ultimately successfully issued my E1. Your search for a law firm ends here.
Adam Haroun
Google Review
Prompt, efficient and proactive professionals, while being communicative and transparent every step of the way!! But most importantly, kind, compassionate and responsible. That is how I would describe Serotte Law(yers), in the true sense of every word!! I switched over to Serotte law 5 years ago, and as we all know switching law firms is a more tedious process than starting afresh, but Brenna made it seamless for me. Brenna Scanlon, their Managing paralegal is a highly qualified immigration expert, extremely well versed in her field of knowledge, and all of this while being a kind and compassionate human being. I don’t know of any other law firm that will call you after hours but these guys will. They will treat your sense of urgency as their own and that’s what stands them apart from the plethora of immigration lawyers out there!! Rita George’s, a highly capable and forthcoming lawyer, a solution finder, will guide you smoothly through every situation, every step of the way!! Immigration applicants tend to face many interrelated issues as well, but Serotte law guides you to the best of their ability there too, and if it’s not their forte they will refer you to the best of the best in the business - kinda like a concierge service!!! Thank you once again to team Serotte, Rita George’s, Brenna Scanlon, Danielle Roberts, Asia Battle, Mike Farrell, and everybody else for your able guidance and services.
KHANNA, Sahil
Google Review
I have had the pleasure of working with Serotte Law for the past 10+ years, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. From the very beginning, they have provided exceptional support and guidance through every step of my US immigration journey. Initially, Serotte Law assisted me with obtaining and renewing my L-1A visas. Their deep understanding of immigration law and meticulous attention to detail ensured a smooth and successful application process. Over the years, they have consistently demonstrated their expertise and dedication, making what could have been a stressful experience remarkably manageable. Most recently, Serotte Law helped me achieve a significant milestone: obtaining my green card. Their unwavering commitment and personalized approach were instrumental in this success. The team at Serotte Law, specifically Rita Georges and Asia Battle, is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly responsive and compassionate, always taking the time to address my concerns and keep me informed. If you are seeking reliable and professional assistance for your US immigration needs, look no further than Serotte Law. Their proven track record, coupled with their client-focused approach, makes them the ideal choice. I am immensely grateful for their support and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone navigating the complexities of US immigration.
Bryan Shapcott
Google Review
I have worked with quite a few immigration attorneys in the last 7 years, and the team at Serotte Law is one of the best I have encountered. As an immigrant that requires work authorization to live in the US, immigration is always on my mind, and I am always stressing about it to some degree. This changed after my firm hired the team at Serotte Law. They handled my H1B transfer, PERM, I-140, and H1B Extension applications flawlessly. They guided me and my company through every step of the process and make sure we were on-track to meet the deadlines. My timeline to procure the I-140 was pretty tight. As such, Susan and team wasted no time in getting all the document in order, and staying on top of the case in the last 18 months. I received regular status updates, prompt email responses, and complete transparency in the process at every step of the way. I would 100% recommend hiring this team for all your work based immigration needs.
Dhaval Bajaria
Google Review
Ready to get started?
Take our free immigration assessment to find resources tailored for you, or book a consultation with our immigration attorneys to map out the strongest path to your destination.
Visa options for Families.
Explore the visa types that may be applicable to your situation.
Adjustment of Status
Allows eligible individuals with an approved immigrant petition and a current priority date to apply for a green card without leaving the U.S.
Consular Processing
The process of obtaining a green card through a U.S. consulate abroad rather than adjusting status inside the U.S.
I-751 Removal of Conditions
The process of proving a good-faith marriage to remove conditions on a two-year green card.
Naturalization
The final step for permanent residents who are ready to become U.S. citizens.
Change or Extension of Status
Requests to extend lawful status or change visa classifications while remaining in the U.S.