Q: In 1999 I adopted my daughter while living in Costa Rica. Two years later we moved back to U.S.
I didn't realize I had to go through the whole immigration process. She went back to Costa Rica to live with her father for a while when she was 10 and he never let her come back. She now is 29 and would very much like to become a US citizen. How can I help her accomplish that? I am a US citizen. She is unmarried and has two children and lives in Colombia. Thank you.
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A:
You can help your daughter by applying for her to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) through family sponsorship. As a U.S. citizen, you can file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on her behalf. This form establishes your relationship and starts the process for her to obtain a visa number.
Once the I-130 is approved, she will need to apply for an immigrant visa through the U.S. consulate in Colombia. Given her current situation, she may qualify for an interview there. After obtaining her immigrant visa, she can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
Since she has children, you might also consider whether they qualify for derivative status under her application. It’s important to follow all instructions carefully and provide the necessary documentation to avoid delays. Consulting with an immigration attorney can be very helpful in navigating this process smoothly.
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