Gracie Johnson Law · Compton, CA
Family Immigration Lawyer in Compton & South LA
Keep your family together. Green cards, petitions, and waivers.
Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
Keeping families together is at the heart of everything Gracie Johnson Law does. Whether you are applying for a green card for your spouse, bringing a parent to the United States, or sponsoring a child, Attorney Gracie Johnson handles every step of the process for families across Compton and South Los Angeles, in English and in Spanish.
From Attorney Gracie Johnson
Family immigration is personal to me. I grew up watching families in South LA navigate a system designed to be confusing and slow. I handle every family case personally, not a paralegal, not a junior attorney. When you hire me to bring your family together, you are working directly with me every step of the way. I will tell you honestly what is possible, what the risks are, and what it will take.
Common Questions
Green Card Through Marriage (Spouse of U.S. Citizen)
If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you are considered an immediate relative under immigration law. This means there is no annual visa cap and no waiting list, you can apply as soon as the I-130 petition is approved. Gracie Johnson handles the full process: filing the I-130 petition, the I-485 adjustment of status application if you are inside the United States, or consular processing if you are outside the country. Processing times at the Los Angeles USCIS field office currently run 12 to 24 months depending on the application type. If you entered the United States without inspection, you may still be eligible through a waiver, call us to discuss your specific situation.
Green Card Through Marriage (Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident)
If your spouse is a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen, you fall under a preference category (F2A) which has annual limits. As of April 2026, the visa bulletin shows movement in this category but wait times still apply. Gracie Johnson monitors the monthly visa bulletin and advises clients on the best time to file.
Green Card for Parents of U.S. Citizens
If you are a U.S. citizen who is 21 years or older, you can petition for your parents to receive a green card. Parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, meaning no annual cap and no waiting list. Gracie Johnson handles the I-130 petition and guides parents through either adjustment of status or consular processing depending on where they currently reside.
Green Card for Children
U.S. citizens can petition for both minor children under 21 (immediate relatives, no wait) and adult children over 21 (preference categories, wait times apply). Lawful permanent residents can petition for minor children under the F2A category. Gracie Johnson advises families on the fastest and safest pathway based on the child's current immigration status and location.
The I-130 Petition, How It Works
The I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is the first step in most family-based green card cases. It establishes the qualifying family relationship between the U.S. citizen or LPR petitioner and the foreign national beneficiary. Filing the I-130 does not grant status, it starts the process. Once approved, the case moves to either adjustment of status (if the person is inside the U.S.) or consular processing (if they are outside). Gracie Johnson prepares thorough, well-documented I-130 packages that minimize the risk of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.
Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) allows someone already inside the United States to apply for a green card without leaving. Consular Processing requires the person to attend an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The right choice depends entirely on how the person entered the United States, whether they have any periods of unlawful presence, and whether any bars to admission apply. In the current 2026 enforcement environment, leaving the United States to consular process carries significant risk for people with unlawful presence. Gracie Johnson evaluates every client's specific history before recommending a path.
Unlawful Presence Waivers (I-601 and I-601A)
If a family member has been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days and must leave to attend a consular interview, they may trigger a 3-year or 10-year bar on returning. A waiver (Form I-601 or I-601A provisional waiver) can overcome this bar if the applicant can show extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR spouse or parent. The I-601A provisional waiver is filed before the person leaves the United States, providing certainty before they depart. Gracie Johnson prepares detailed hardship packages that document the full impact of separation on the qualifying relative.
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Quieres Traer a Tu Familia? Podemos Ayudarte.
Si quieres arreglar los papeles de tu esposo, esposa, hijos, o padres, la abogada Gracie Johnson puede ayudarte. Atendemos en español, sin intérpretes. Llama hoy al (310) 554-4630 para una consulta confidencial.
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Gracie Johnson Law serves families throughout South Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
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Contact Gracie Johnson Law today for a confidential consultation. Available in English and Spanish.