Can my wife’s parents come to the U.S.?
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Can my wife’s parents come to the U.S.?
I submitted my wife’s I-130 and other documents about 6 months ago; she’s a Chinese national. I reckon she should have her green card before the end of this year but the problem is her parents. I understand there have been some new changes to the immigration policy and I heard something about being required to speak English, etc. I don’t know if these new stipulations apply or not to immediate family members but I am essentially just wondering, will her elderly parents be allowed to come in as immediate family members, although they can’t speak English?
Asked on August 2, 2017 under Immigration Law, California
Answers:
SB Member California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
The parents will be able to come to the US even if they do not speak English but when? Your wife will only be able to petition for them once she is a US citizen and she will only be eligible to apply for citizenship after 3 years of having her green card. So at best it will be about 4-5 years from now that your in laws would be able to enter the US. You are not able to petition for them as you have no qualifying relationship with them that makes you eligible as their petitioner.
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