Meet Sahar Fathordoobadi, who fought for 20 long years to reunite her family in the United States. Her family faced many challenges, but they held on to their dreams. Through it all, they never gave up. In the end, their hard work paid off and changed their lives forever.
In a heartfelt conversation with Joshua Goldstein, Sahar shared her family-based immigration success story. This story showcases the power of hope, strength, and of never giving up. If you’re facing family immigration challenges, this story will inspire you to keep going and believe that you can succeed too.
A Family-Based Immigration Story Two Decades in the Making
Sahar started the family-based immigration process to bring her parents to the U.S. almost 20 years ago. At first, both of her parents got their green cards, but it was hard for everyone to move together. They kept their green cards and traveled back and forth, but it became too difficult for her dad because of his job in Iran.
Eventually, he gave up and said he couldn’t keep the green card while working. Eventually, it expired. The family thought they wouldn’t try again and her dad didn’t really want to go back to the U.S. at that point. Years later, when her dad retired, he realized he wanted to be with his children.
This made him want to try again. Sahar talked to some people and decided to apply for his family-based immigration visa. They told her it was better for her to apply because she could offer more financial support than her mom could. Sahar knew it would be tough.
The changes in family-based immigration laws and the relationship between Iran and the U.S. made it harder. Still, she decided to start the process again. Just as she expected, her dad got an interview at the right time.
Hitting the Administrative Processing Roadblock
Sahar applied for her father’s family-based immigration visa, and at first, everything seemed to be going well. When his interview day finally came, the family felt hopeful—maybe this was the moment they had been waiting for. But things didn’t go as planned.
After the interview, officials said the case needed administrative processing. This was due to her father's military service, which he completed over 50 years ago. The reason for the family-based immigration delay felt unfair and frustrating.
Military Service and Administrative Processing
When Sahar's father applied for his family-based immigration visa, the consulate placed him in administrative processing (AP). There are various reasons for administrative processing, as the U.S. government conducts checks for security risks during this process. In this case, Sahar’s father’s military background caused a delay. The government needed to check details about his service and other sensitive areas.
- Why does this happen?
- Military service may involve government ties that raise security concerns.
- The U.S. conducts detailed checks to ensure applicants meet all security criteria.
- Steps you can take if placed in Administrative Processing:
- Stay informed: Ask for updates from the consulate or embassy.
- Provide documents: Submit any requested proof promptly.
- Consult an attorney: Legal experts can guide you through the process and help you to file a mandamus immigration petition.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Success
Sahar’s discovery of the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers law firm happened in a surprising way. She had missed her second cousin's wedding, so she called to congratulate him. During the conversation, she mentioned that her dad was still in Iran facing family-based immigration processing delays.
To her surprise, her cousin's wife told her that she volunteers with people stuck in situations like Sahar’s. Her cousin’s wife mentioned that she might know a law firm that could help.
Sahar recalled:
“So she's like, have you tried this? I'm like, what are you talking about? You can try. You can sue them. I’ll send you a link. You fill out the questionnaire. And if everything looks good, then they're going to contact you and they sent me the link to your law firm and the link to the questionnaire.”
Sahar was doubtful at first, but she decided to fill out the questionnaire and see what would happen. That's how she ended up working with the law firm to file a mandamus lawsuit to help get her father's family-based immigration visa approved. By the time of the interview, she was expecting her parents' arrival in just two weeks. Her dad would finally be reunited with his family!
Advice for Facing Family-Based Immigration Challenges
When asked what advice she would give to others in similar situations, Sahar didn’t hesitate. Stating that she had learnt a valuable life lesson. Sahar’s family-based immigration win shows how important it is to never lose hope, no matter what happens.
Sahar emphasized:
Don't give up and, yeah, be persistent. I mean, first of all, contact you guys. That was a life lesson for me to never give up. There is hope. There are ways. Honestly, we had zero hope because I thought I tried everything.
Sahar also addressed a common fear many people have about filing a lawsuit against the government. Sahar knew it wasn’t personal. She understood that it was just how the system worked. The family-based immigration process was slow, and sometimes it felt like the people handling her case didn’t really want to deal with it.
Sahar explained:
“I knew it's not personal. I kind of knew that there is a systematic process. That's how the system works to kind of push. They don't want to deal with it. Like I'm not that important as an individual for them to get mad at me. There is a process in place and we are just trying to shake them off. They don't want to deal with it.”
The Importance of Staying Ahead of Changing Immigration Policies
Administrative processing (AP) and overcoming Muslim immigration challenges can be frustrating. However, it’s a common step in the visa process. This is especially true for people from countries like Iran. This extra review happens due to tense relations between the U.S. and some countries. It also occurs because of security checks or rules that focus on Muslim-majority nations.
With Donald Trump winning the presidency again, concerns about the possibility of the Muslim Ban returning are growing. If it’s brought back, people from countries like Iran may face more delays and refusals in their visa applications. It’s crucial to act now to avoid further complications in your family-based immigration journey.
Don't wait for the new administration to take office on January, 5 2025. Contact your local US immigration California law firm today for expert help. They’ll help you to explore your family-based immigration options. Let us help you navigate the process before any of Trump’s proposed immigration policies are put in place.
A New Chapter Begins
As Sahar prepares to welcome her father to the U.S., she is focused on helping him adjust to this new chapter of his life. Because of his age, she knows it will be hard for him to handle everything alone. So, they have planned for him to live with them.
Sahar shared:
“So my dad is getting old and it's really hard at this age when they immigrate just to figure out their way around. So they're going to be living with us.”
As Sahar reflected on her family-based immigration, she felt very grateful for the support she received. She also expressed her great joy to finally be able to have her dad home and her family reunited. This milestone is not just the end of a long wait, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope.
Sahar expressed her deep gratitude:
“I really appreciate it again. I did. I can't I cannot describe the feeling and the joy and the hope you brought to our family.”
Thanking Sahar for Sharing Her Incredible Journey
We are deeply thankful to Sahar for sharing her powerful story with us. We trust that her strength, perseverance, and determination will inspire you to continue your family-based immigration journey.
We wish Sahar and her family all the best as they begin this new chapter together. Thank you, Sahar, for allowing our team to play a small role in your success story and showing us that with persistence, anything is possible.
Your Family’s Dream Is Within Reach
At our immigration law firm, we are dedicated to helping families navigate the complex and often frustrating family-based immigration process. We know the challenges people like Sahar face when trying to reunite with loved ones. Delays and roadblocks can feel impossible to overcome.
Our team of experienced immigration attorneys Boston provide personalized support, guiding clients through every step of the process. If you have issues with administrative processing, visas, or immigration, we can help. We are here to find a solution for you. We provide clear communication, understanding, and the legal skills needed to protect your rights and unite families.
If you're facing difficulties with your family-based immigration case, don't wait—contact us today for a consultation. Let us help you take the next step toward reuniting with your loved ones and making your dreams a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have gathered answers to common questions about family-based immigration. This will help you navigate the process more easily. To get a more personal touch, we suggest booking a free consultation with our team. This way, you can explore your options in detail.
1. How do I petition my parents to come to the USA?
How to petition parents in the USA for a family-based immigration visa involves submitting Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative. This is the first step in the process. Once approved, your parents can apply for an immigrant visa.
2. Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a family member?
Yes, a U.S. citizen can sponsor some family members. This includes parents, children, and siblings. They can do this through family-based immigration.
3. How much is needed for family-based immigration in the U.S.?
The costs of family-based immigration can vary. They usually include application fees, attorney fees, and other costs. These other costs may be for medical exams and background checks. It's important to budget for these expenses when considering petitioning your family.
4. What is visa sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship happens when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident helps a family member apply for an immigrant visa. This support ensures the family member will not rely on public assistance in the U.S.
5. What can a family-based immigration lawyer do for me?
A family-based immigration lawyer can guide you through the process and help you avoid mistakes when applying for a parent’s green card. They offer expert advice, assist with forms, and can file a mandamus petition for administrative delays.
6. What is the family-based immigration backlog?
The family-based immigration backlog is a long wait for family-sponsored immigrant visas. This happens because many people want these visas, but there are not enough available each year. This backlog means that many family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents must wait years for their visas.
7. What can I do if my family-based immigration application is stuck in the backlog?
If your application is experiencing significant delays, you may want to consult an experienced family-based immigration lawyer. A lawyer can help you look at your legal options. You can ask questions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
You can also file a mandamus lawsuit. This lawsuit can help you get action on your case. Additionally, staying updated with the visa bulletin updates will help you track the progress of your priority date.
8. How does the family-based immigration backlog impact visa processing for specific countries?
Countries like India, Mexico, the Philippines, and China have a high demand for immigration. This often leads to longer wait times because of the family-based immigration backlog. The visa bulletin is updated every month by the U.S. Department of State. It shows the current priority dates and backlog information for each country.
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