For many families, the journey to permanency and protection involves navigating the complex intersection of family law and federal immigration policy. Whether you are bringing a child home through international adoption or seeking legal status for a youth who has faced hardship, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
At Foster + Bloom, our immigration and citizenship attorneys combine technical legal excellence with a deep understanding of the emotional weight these journeys carry. We don’t just process paperwork; we protect the future of your family.
How an Immigration Attorney Can Help You Build or Protect Your Family
Navigating citizenship and immigration law is rarely a straight line. Legal support is essential when your family’s security depends on federal recognition. Our immigration and citizenship attorneys in Indiana provide vital advocacy in several key areas:
- Adoption & International Birth: Ensuring children brought to the U.S. through international adoption or born to U.S. parents abroad have their citizenship properly documented.
- Protection for Vulnerable Youth: Assisting minors who have experienced abuse or neglect in obtaining legal status through SIJS immigration.
- Family Reunification: Helping families stay together through sponsorship and green card applications.
- Complex Filings: Providing professional immigration forms help to avoid the delays and denials that come from technical errors.
How Can I Get Citizenship for My Child or Loved One?
Understanding the citizenship application process is the first step toward peace of mind. As your citizenship lawyer, we guide you through the most common pathways:
- Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (N-600): For many adopted children, citizenship is “derived” automatically, but you still need a lawyer to obtain the formal Certificate of Citizenship through N-600.
- International Adoption (I-600/I-800): Specialized filings for families adopting from Hague or non-Hague convention countries.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA): For children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, including those born via international surrogacy.
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): A unique path for children under 21 who need the protection of the U.S. government.
- Family Sponsorship (I-130): The process for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to sponsor a family member for a green card.
What Is SIJS and Who Qualifies?
SIJS immigration (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status) is a critical protection for children and youth who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents.
To qualify, a child must first obtain a “predicate order” from an Indiana family court. This order must declare that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country and that reunification with one or both parents is not viable.
With current immigration laws 2025 updates in mind, our team acts as both your predicate order attorney and your SIJS immigration filing representative.
Can an Attorney Help Me Understand Immigration Forms?
Absolutely. One of the most common reasons for a denied petition is a simple mistake on a complex form. If you are looking for immigration forms help, we provide professional assistance with:
- I-130 Petition Attorney services: Ensuring your family sponsorship is filed with sufficient evidence.
- Affidavit of Support: Navigating immigration form I-864 and form I-864a requirements.
- Adjustment of Status: Filing the form I-485 for those seeking a green card.
- Naturalization: Providing legal guidance through the N-400 application and interview.
Our immigration and citizenship lawyers in Indiana help you decode immigration form instructions and avoid the “Request for Evidence” (RFE) notices that often stall a family’s progress.
How Long Does the Immigration or Citizenship Process Take?
The citizenship process timeline varies significantly depending on the type of filing and current USCIS backlogs.
For example, an N-600 filing may take several months, while the SIJS immigration process depends on both the speed of the local Indiana family court and federal visa availability—which often has a years-long back log.
At Foster + Bloom, we emphasize efficiency and proactive communication, ensuring your case moves forward as quickly as the law allows.
How Much Does It Cost to Work With an Immigration Lawyer?
The cost of immigration support services varies depending on your needs and the complexity of your case. We offer transparent cost estimates up front to help you understand what your family may need.
When considering the cost of an immigration lawyer, it is important to weigh the investment against the risk of a denied application.
Our immigration and citizenship attorneys in Indiana believe in the value of getting it right the first time, preventing the costly mistakes that come from DIY filings or unqualified services.
Why Choose Foster + Bloom for Immigration and Citizenship Law?
Choosing an immigration and citizenship lawyer is a decision that impacts your family’s entire future. At Foster + Bloom, we offer a unique advantage: we are both family formation experts and immigration advocates.
We understand the cross-border nuances of international adoption and surrogacy that general immigration firms might miss. As your immigration and citizenship lawyers in Indiana, we provide the dual legal expertise required to guide you home.