Immigration + Citizenship - Foster + Bloom Family Formation Law Group

Immigration and citizenship law can affect where your family lives, how your child obtains U.S. citizenship and which legal steps come next.

Foster + Bloom provides immigration and citizenship legal services for immigrants, adoptive families, intended parents and families with international ties.

With experience in both immigration and family-building law, we help you understand your options and navigate overlapping legal requirements.

Immigration and Citizenship Attorneys and Legal Services

Whether you’re applying for citizenship, bringing a family member to the United States or responding to a USCIS issue, Foster + Bloom can help you identify the appropriate legal process.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): Immigration guidance for eligible children who cannot safely reunify with one or both parents because of abuse, abandonment, neglect or a similar basis recognized under state law.
Citizenship Certificates (N-600): Assistance obtaining a Certificate of Citizenship for individuals who acquired or derived U.S. citizenship and need official proof.
Citizenship Applications (N-400): Naturalization guidance for eligible lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
Family Immigration Forms (I-130/N-600K): Family-based immigration petitions (I-130) and citizenship applications for qualifying children residing abroad (N-600K), when applicable.
Green Card Applications (I-485): Adjustment-of-status assistance for eligible individuals applying for permanent residence from within the United States.
International Adoption Immigration (I-600/I-800): Immigration guidance for intercountry adoptions, including identifying the appropriate process based on the child’s country and adoption circumstances.
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA): Assistance documenting U.S. citizenship at birth for eligible children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents.
Visa and Passport Assistance: Guidance with visa applications, U.S. passport documentation and related international family travel requirements.
USCIS Appeals, Responses and Denials: Assistance responding to requests for evidence, adverse decisions and other immigration complications, including available motions or appeals.

Not sure which service applies? Foster + Bloom can review your circumstances and help identify the appropriate immigration or citizenship process.

Our Immigration + Citizenship Attorneys

Kelly Dempsey

Managing Member/Founder

Tifany Markee

Founding Member

CA, CO

Nicole Skellenger

Founding Member

FL, IN

International Adoption

Bringing an internationally adopted child to the United States? Immigration procedures depend on the child’s country, whether the Hague Adoption Convention applies and the adoption circumstances.

Foster + Bloom helps coordinate applicable I-600 or I-800 requirements with the adoption process, reducing the risk of conflicting steps or missing documentation.

International Surrogacy

Building your family through U.S. surrogacy while living abroad? Your child’s citizenship, legal parentage, passport eligibility and ability to travel home may involve different legal requirements.

Recent birthright citizenship executive orders and related court decisions have created additional questions for international intended parents.

Foster + Bloom helps families evaluate applicable U.S. citizenship rules, documentation requirements and coordination with home-country counsel before birth and international travel.

U.S. Citizenship Certificates and Documentation

Already a U.S. citizen, or need to establish your child’s eligibility for citizenship? Citizenship status and proof of citizenship are different legal questions. The appropriate process depends on how citizenship was acquired, where the child resides and the parents’ citizenship circumstances.

CRBA: Documents U.S. citizenship acquired at birth by eligible children born outside the United States.
N-600: Obtains a Certificate of Citizenship for someone who already acquired or derived U.S. citizenship.
N-600K: Allows certain qualifying children living abroad to apply for citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent.

Family-Based Immigration and Green Cards

Want to bring a qualifying relative to the United States or apply for permanent residence?

I-130: Establishes a qualifying family relationship for immigration purposes.
I-485: Allows eligible individuals in the United States to apply for permanent residence.

An approved I-130 doesn’t automatically grant a green card. Foster + Bloom helps families evaluate eligibility, prepare filings and determine whether adjustment of status or consular processing applies.

Naturalization and U.S. Citizenship

Ready to apply for citizenship? Form N-400 allows eligible lawful permanent residents to pursue naturalization.

Foster + Bloom helps evaluate residence requirements, immigration history, documentation and potential eligibility concerns before filing.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Does a child need immigration protection because of abuse, abandonment or neglect? SIJS may provide a pathway for eligible children who cannot safely reunify with one or both parents.

Foster + Bloom helps navigate required state-court findings and federal immigration procedures, including potential next steps toward permanent residence.

USCIS Requests for Evidence, Appeals and Denials

Received an RFE, Notice of Intent to Deny or unfavorable USCIS decision? The appropriate response depends on the notice, available evidence and applicable deadlines.

Foster + Bloom helps assess USCIS concerns, prepare responses and evaluate available motions, appeals or other legal options.

Can Foster + Bloom Help With Immigration Matters in Any State?

Yes. Because immigration law is federal, appropriately licensed immigration attorneys can generally represent eligible clients nationwide, subject to applicable practice rules.

Foster + Bloom can assist families across state lines with federal immigration matters. State-specific adoption, parentage or SIJS proceedings may require additional jurisdiction-specific legal guidance.

Why Family-Building Experience Matters in an Immigration Attorney

When immigration involves adoption, assisted reproduction or a child born abroad, filing the correct USCIS forms is only part of the process.

Your attorney should understand how parental rights are established, how family relationships affect immigration eligibility and what documentation is needed to establish citizenship.

Foster + Bloom’s combined experience helps families address these connected requirements with coordinated legal guidance.

What Our Clients Say

We’re honored to partner with families during their immigration and citizenship journeys. Our clients’ experiences reflect our commitment to providing clear guidance and genuine care.

Priyanka

“Last year, my family and I faced a difficult and stressful immigration challenge. Unknowingly, I had accumulated unlawful status, and we were completely lost and unsure of what to do. From our first meeting, Tifany was an incredible guide, helping us navigate the complex waiver process with clarity and confidence. Tifany was there for us at every step, making a daunting process feel manageable. She not only provided expert legal counsel but also went above and beyond by following up with Congressmen and the Consulate on our behalf. Her dedication was truly remarkable. Whenever we had a question, no matter how small, she would reply almost immediately, which made us feel like we were her top priority. Her responsiveness and attentiveness were a source of great comfort during such an uncertain time. Thanks to Tifany’s unwavering guidance and support, my waiver was approved. I am now back in the US and reunited with my children, a dream that would not have been possible without her. She is, without a doubt, one of the best immigration attorneys I have ever worked with, and I highly recommend her to anyone in need of legal assistance.” –Priyanka

Irene

“We are incredibly grateful to Tifany for everything she has done for our family. She helped us with our immigration case, which was exceptionally complex and required a great deal of expertise, patience, and careful handling.

Throughout the entire process, Tifany was extremely professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and responsive. She guided us through every step with clarity and confidence, and we always felt that our case was in very capable hands. Her ability to navigate such a complicated situation and ultimately help our family achieve a successful outcome meant more to us than I can express.

Tifany has made a truly meaningful difference in our family’s life. We deeply appreciate not only her outstanding professional expertise, but also the care and dedication she showed us throughout the process.

I would highly recommend Tifany to anyone looking for an immigration attorney, especially for complex cases. She is someone we trust completely, and we will always be grateful for her help.” –Irene

What Makes Foster + Bloom’s Immigration and Citizenship Legal Services Different?

At Foster + Bloom, we bring a unique perspective to immigration and citizenship law that sets us apart from other professionals.

Specialized Family-Building Experience: Our attorneys combine immigration expertise with deep knowledge of family formation law. This dual specialization means we understand the unique challenges facing families built through adoption, surrogacy and assisted reproduction.
Deep Understanding: We recognize that every petition represents hopes, dreams and the desire to keep families united. Our approach acknowledges the emotional significance of your journey while providing the technical expertise you need.
Cross-Border Expertise: We understand how immigration law intersects with federal and state requirements for family formation. This knowledge proves invaluable when dealing with complex cases involving international surrogacy, adoption or citizenship questions for children born abroad.

At Foster + Bloom, we know that immigration and citizenship journeys bring families together and create the foundation for your shared future. Whether you’re securing adoptee citizenship for your child, or reuniting with loved ones, we’re here to guide you through every step with expertise and genuine care.

FAQ's

Family immigration to the United States typically begins with a qualifying relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The process involves filing a family-based petition, waiting for visa availability in some categories and completing the immigration process either at a U.S. consulate abroad or through adjustment of status in the United States.

Immigration timelines vary based on your relationship to the petitioner and your country of origin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents) typically have shorter wait times. Other family categories may face longer waits due to annual visa limits.

Family immigration petitions require extensive documentation to prove your qualifying relationship and eligibility. This typically includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees (if applicable), passport-style photos and Form I-130. Additional evidence may include correspondence, joint financial documents, photographs together and affidavits from family and friends.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen provides a path to citizenship, but it’s a two-step process. First, you must obtain a green card through your marriage, either in the U.S. or through consular processing abroad. After holding permanent residence for three years while married to the same U.S. citizen, you can apply for naturalization if you also meet requirements like continuous residence, English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Children born abroad to U.S. citizens may automatically acquire citizenship at birth, depending on the parents’ status and residence history. If eligible, you can document this with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). If your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still become a citizen through naturalization, but eligibility depends on factors like birth date, parents’ marital status and residence history. A family immigration lawyer can help determine eligibility and guide you through the right process.

Families formed through assisted reproduction — such as surrogacy or egg and sperm donation — may face unique citizenship challenges when children are born abroad. Because traditional laws don’t always account for modern family-building, extra documentation and consular steps are often required. Our international family immigration lawyers are experienced in these complex cases.

If your immigration petition is denied, you may be able to appeal, file a motion to reopen or submit a new petition with additional evidence. The best option depends on the reason for denial. We review each case carefully to identify the strongest path forward and help get your family’s immigration process back on track.