Fort Lauderdale family-based immigration lawyer.
Bringing your family together is one of the most important things you will ever do — and the paperwork should not stand in the way. If you are a U.S. citizen or a green-card holder hoping to petition for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, Lisa Marie Santamarta will sit down with you, explain your options in plain words, and help you file it right the first time. You work directly with the attorney, not a call center.
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Your Fort Lauderdale family-based immigration lawyer
Family-based immigration is the path that lets U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents — people who already hold a green card — sponsor close relatives to live in the United States. As a Fort Lauderdale family based immigration lawyer, Lisa Marie Santamarta helps Broward County families do exactly that: petition for a husband or wife, a child, a parent, or a brother or sister, and then guide that loved one toward lawful permanent residence — a green card. The goal is simple. Get your family together, lawfully and for good.
This is federal law, handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under a statute called the Immigration and Nationality Act. It is not a state matter, and the rules are the same whether you live in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or anywhere else in the country. What changes from family to family is the relationship, who is petitioning, and where the relative is right now — and those details decide how the case moves and how long it takes.
These cases are personal, and they are stressful. A small mistake on a form, a missing document, or a missed deadline can cost you months — sometimes years — of waiting and worry. Lisa Marie Santamarta serves South Florida's diverse communities, and she handles each family's case with patience and care. She will tell you honestly what to expect, what it will involve, and what your fees will be before you commit to anything.
From petition to green card, step by step
Most family-based cases follow the same federal road. Here is the shape of it, in plain terms — though every family's path has its own details we will walk through together.
File the family petition
The U.S. citizen or green-card holder files Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS. This step proves the family relationship is real and qualifies. We gather the right proof — marriage and birth certificates, proof of your status, and more — so the petition is complete and accurate from day one.
Wait for a visa to be available
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can move ahead right away. Other family members wait their turn based on a priority date, because Congress caps how many of those visas are issued each year. We explain which group your relative falls into and what the wait realistically looks like.
Pursue the green card
When a visa is available, your relative seeks lawful permanent residence in one of two ways. If they are already in the United States, that is usually adjustment of status. If they are abroad, it is consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate. We prepare the case either way and stand with you through the interview.
This page provides general information about U.S. immigration matters and is not legal advice. Immigration law is federal and changes often; your specific situation requires a consultation.
Which family members qualify — and why timing differs
Not every family relationship moves at the same speed, and understanding the difference up front saves a lot of heartache. The law splits relatives into two broad groups, and the group your loved one falls into shapes the entire timeline.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. This group includes your spouse, your parent (if you are at least 21), and your unmarried child under 21. There is no annual limit on these green cards, so once the petition is approved and a few steps are done, these cases generally move faster than the rest. For many South Florida families, this is the most direct path.
Family-preference categories. This group includes the married or adult children of U.S. citizens, the brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and the spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. Congress limits how many of these visas are available each year, so these relatives must wait for their priority date to become current before they can finish the green-card step. The wait can be long, and it depends on the category and the relative's home country.
Sorting out the right category, confirming who is eligible, and lining up the documents is where careful legal work pays off. Lisa Marie Santamarta reviews your family's situation, tells you which path fits, and makes sure every form matches the proof behind it — because in immigration, accuracy is everything. He also handles related matters such as fiancé(e) visas for couples planning to marry, and citizenship and naturalization once your loved one is ready to become a U.S. citizen.
A steady hand for your family's most important case
When your family's future is on the line, you want someone who will treat your case like it matters — because it does. Lisa Marie Santamarta has practiced in South Florida since 2011 and knows its many diverse communities — and she serves them in both English and Spanish. When you hire this office, you work with the attorney herself. You will not be passed from one staffer to the next, and you will always know who is handling your case.
We believe you should never be surprised by a bill. Immigration matters are handled on clearly agreed fees that we explain up front, before you commit — never guesswork, and never a percentage of anything. (Government filing fees are separate and set by the agencies, and we will tell you what to expect there too.) Your first consultation is free and confidential, so you can ask your questions and understand your options before deciding anything.
No lawyer can promise a particular outcome in an immigration case — the decision rests with the federal government, and the law can change. What we promise is honest advice, careful preparation, and a real person who answers when you call. To see the full range of immigration help we offer, visit our immigration practice overview, learn more about Lisa Marie Santamarta, or simply reach out to our Fort Lauderdale office.
Family-based immigration, answered
Which family members can I petition for?
How long does a family green card take?
What is the difference between immediate relatives and preference categories?
What is adjustment of status versus consular processing?
What is a priority date?
Lisa Marie Santamarta, Esq.
Work directly with Lisa Marie Santamarta
Bilingual — English & Spanish
Lisa Marie Santamarta guides individuals and families through the U.S. immigration system — green cards, citizenship, family-based petitions, work visas, and removal defense — and has practiced in South Florida since 2011.
Fluent in English and Spanish, she meets clients where they are and handles your matter personally, from the first consultation forward.
- Since 2011Florida attorney
- Immigration & PIpractice areas
- English & Spanishbilingual
Talk to a Fort Lauderdale immigration attorney today
Your first consultation is free and confidential. Tell us about your family, and Lisa Marie Santamarta will explain your options and what comes next — in plain language, with no obligation.
(954) 572-8000