Law Office of Mario Zapata - IMMIGRATION LAW
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Green Card for Spouse, Children, and Siblings

U.S. immigration law provides that certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can be petitioned for immigration benefits. Family-based immigrant beneficiaries either belong to an immediate relative category or one of several preference categories. The length of time from petition filing to final immigration depends upon which categorization of the beneficiary. Wait periods can be as little as immediate to decades. The categories are summarized as follows:
  • Immediate Relatives are the spouse, parent, or child (under 21) of a citizen
  • First Preference immigrants are made up of unmarried sons and daughters of citizens
  • Second Preference immigrants are the spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) residents
  • Third Preference immigrants are the married sons and daughters of citizens
  • Fourth Preference immigrants are the brothers and sisters of citizens
Current wait periods for each category are available to the public at the U.S. Department of State website here. 


Assistance for adjustment of status ("Green Cards") for immigrants in California

Mr. Zapata is a qualified immigration attorney located in Orange County who can help you with the Adjustment of Status and/or Immigrant Visa process. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits the change of an individual’s immigration status while in the United States from non-immigrant or parolee (temporary) to immigrant (permanent) if the individual was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States and is able to meet all required qualifications for a green card (permanent residence) in a particular category. The common term for a change to permanent status is “adjustment of status.” Our immigration law firm offers extensive experience assisting immigrants with all their adjustment of status needs.

Adjustment of status process ("Green Card" process)

The INA provides an individual two primary paths to becoming a lawful permanent resident.  Adjustment of status is the process by which an eligible individual already in the United States can get permanent resident status (a green card) without having to return to their home country to complete visa processing. Contact Mario Zapata, an experienced immigration attorney, to determine your eligibility and to represent you in your adjustment of status application process. You may contact the office to schedule a consultation at (714) 441-2800.

NOTE: Consular processing is an alternate process for an individual outside the United States (or who is in the United States but is ineligible to adjust status) to obtain a visa abroad and enter the United States as a permanent resident. This pathway is referred to as “consular processing.” Many individuals are ineligible to to apply for their green cards in the U.S. due to various of inadmissibility(see below).  Contact Mr. Zapata to evaluate your case and determine which process is available to you to acquire a green card.

Ineligibility for a Green Card or Immigrant Visa

The visa (Green Card) applicant’s history might cause him or her to be ineligible for a visa (green card) for various reasons, including:
  • Criminal activity anywhere in the world
  • False Claim of U.S. Citizenship
  • Immigration fraud (such as lying to an officer at the Embassy or submitting fraudulent documents)
  • Overstaying a visa or entering the U.S. without authorization in the past
  • Previous Deportation from the U.S.


There are waiver(s) available for several grounds of inadmissibility.  It is important that you discuss your matter with an experienced immigration attorney if you believe you may be subject to such grounds.  The Law Office of Mario Zapata is located in Orange County.  Mr. Zapata will evaluate your matter, and inform you immediately as to how you can acquire your green card.  He has handled hundreds of cases, including ones that required waivers such as Form I-601, Form I-601A Provisional Waiver, and Form I-212 waiver.

WARNING:  If you are in the United States and are planning to pursue consular processing, you should consult with an immigration attorney before you proceed as your departure may trigger certain grounds of inadmissibility. Although a case may seem simple and straightforward, complications may always be present that you may not discover until its too late. Consult with an experienced immigration attorney for questions regarding your specific situation and have the case prepared properly to avoid delays and complications.  You may contact the office to schedule a consultation at (714) 441-2800.
Based in Anaheim, California, the Law Office of Mario Zapata provides immigration-related legal services to individual and business clients from across the United States and around the world, including: Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino, and San Diego County in California. Mr. Zapata has represented residents of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Lake Forest, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Juan Capistrano, and Westminster.

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  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Immigration Law
    • Executive Action >
      • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
      • Deferred Action for Parent Accountability (DAPA)
    • Family-Based Immigration >
      • Fiancee Visas
      • Green Card for Spouse, Children, and Siblings
      • Green Card Through Same-sex Marriage
      • I-601 & I-601A Provisional Waiver
      • U-Visa and Green Cards for Victims of Abuse (VAWA)
      • Naturalization & Citizenship
      • Parole of Spouses, Children and Parents of Military Members
    • Deportation Defense >
      • Asylum
      • Cancellation of Removal
      • Removal Proceedings
    • Employment-Based Immigration >
      • PERM & Employment-Based Green Card
      • E-1 and E-2 Non-immigrant Visa
      • H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers
      • L-1 Intra-company Transferee
      • TN (NAFTA Professionals)
  • Español
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • More +
    • Consultation
    • News
    • Resources
    • Scholarship
    • Disclaimer