How a California Family Reunited Through Immigration: An Anonymized Case Study

Last Updated: February 2026

Behind every immigration case is a family. This is the story of one California family’s journey through the family-based immigration process — from years of separation to the day they were finally together again.

At Bueno Immigration, we handle dozens of immigration cases at any given time. Each one involves real people with real hopes, fears, and dreams. While we cannot share the specifics of any individual client’s case due to attorney-client privilege, we believe that understanding how the immigration process works in practice — through a realistic, composite case study — can help other families who are facing similar situations.

The following story is based on a composite of real case elements, with all identifying details changed to protect client confidentiality. The names, nationalities, locations, and specific facts have been altered. This case study is provided for educational purposes only and does not guarantee any particular outcome. Every immigration case is different, and results depend on the unique facts and circumstances involved.

The Family’s Situation: Years of Separation

Maria had been living in California for over fifteen years. She had come to the United States from a Latin American country in her early twenties, following a path that millions of immigrants have taken — crossing the border without inspection after her tourist visa application was denied. She had no criminal record, had worked steadily, paid taxes, and built a life in a mid-sized California city.

Maria had become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) several years earlier through her employer, who had sponsored her for a labor certification and an employment-based immigrant visa. The process had taken years and cost thousands of dollars, but when she finally held that Green Card in her hand, she felt a sense of security she had not known in over a decade.

But one thing was missing: her family.

Maria’s husband, Carlos, and their two children — Sofia, age 14, and Diego, age 8 — were still in their home country. Carlos had been raising the children largely on his own, with help from extended family, while Maria sent money home every month. They spoke by video call every evening, but the distance was excruciating.

Sofia barely remembered living with her mother. Diego had never known life with both parents under the same roof. And Carlos, though proud and supportive of Maria’s sacrifice, was exhausted and lonely.

Maria wanted to bring her family to the United States. But she was terrified that the process would somehow expose her past — specifically, the years she had spent in the U.S. without authorization before obtaining her Green Card. She had heard stories of families being torn apart by the immigration system, and she was afraid to make a wrong move.

That is when she came to Bueno Immigration.

The Initial Consultation: Understanding the Options

During Maria’s first consultation, our attorneys listened carefully to her story and asked detailed questions about her immigration history, her family members, and her goals. We needed to understand the full picture before recommending a strategy.

Here is what we identified:

Additionally, we discussed the possibility of Maria naturalizing (becoming a U.S. citizen) before or during the family petition process. If Maria became a citizen, Carlos and the children would be reclassified as immediate relatives — a category with no annual visa number limits and typically faster processing.

The Legal Strategy

After thoroughly analyzing Maria’s situation, we developed a two-track strategy:

The Timeline: Patience, Persistence, and Progress

Immigration cases rarely move in a straight line. Here is how Maria’s case unfolded over approximately 18 months:

Months 1-2: Filing and Receipt

We filed the three I-130 petitions and the N-400 application. Within a few weeks, we received receipt notices from USCIS confirming that all four applications had been accepted and were being processed. Maria’s priority date for the I-130 petitions was established.

Months 3-5: Waiting and Preparation

During this period, we waited for USCIS to schedule Maria’s naturalization interview. We used this time productively — helping Maria study for the civics exam, gathering additional documentation for the family petitions, and ensuring Carlos had begun collecting the documents he would need for his consular interview.

Month 6: Maria’s Naturalization Interview

Maria attended her naturalization interview at the USCIS field office in California. She was nervous, but she had prepared thoroughly. The officer asked her the standard civics and English questions, reviewed her application, and asked about her travel history and moral character. She passed. The officer approved her N-400 application on the spot and scheduled her for a naturalization ceremony the following month.

Month 7: Maria Becomes a U.S. Citizen

Maria took the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony at a federal courthouse in California. She later told us it was one of the proudest moments of her life — right after the birth of her children.

Our family immigration team guides clients through every step of the reunification process

Months 8-10: I-130 Approvals and NVC Processing

The three I-130 petitions were approved by USCIS and forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). At the NVC stage, the family had to:

• Pay immigrant visa fees
• Submit the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) — Maria needed to demonstrate sufficient income at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines
• Submit civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearances)
• Complete DS-260 immigrant visa applications online for each family member

Month 11: A Setback

The NVC returned Carlos’s document package, indicating that one of the police clearance certificates had expired. Police clearances are typically valid for only one to two years, and because the overall process had taken longer than initially anticipated, the original certificate was no longer current. Carlos had to obtain a new police clearance from every jurisdiction where he had lived for more than six months. This added approximately six weeks to the process.

Months 12-14: NVC Completion and Interview Scheduling

After resolving the police clearance issue, the NVC determined that all three cases were documentarily complete and forwarded them to the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy scheduled consular interviews for Carlos, Sofia, and Diego. We prepared the family for their interviews — explaining what to expect, what questions might be asked, and how to address Carlos’s prior unlawful presence.

Month 15: The Consular Interviews

Carlos, Sofia, and Diego attended their immigrant visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy. The consular officer reviewed the documents, asked Carlos about his background and his prior entry to the United States, and confirmed the timeline of his unlawful presence. Because the three-year bar had expired years earlier and Carlos had no other inadmissibility issues, the officer was satisfied. All three immigrant visas were approved.

Month 16: The Reunion

Maria drove to the airport alone. She had not slept the night before. She stood at the arrivals gate at the international terminal, holding a hand-drawn sign that Diego had asked her to make during their last video call.

When they came through the doors — Carlos carrying Diego, Sofia walking beside them with a rolling suitcase — Maria later told us she felt like her heart stopped.

They were together. In California. As a family. Legally.

Sofia, now 16, immediately asked about enrolling in school. Diego, who had practiced his English with cartoons, proudly said “Hello, Mom” — the first time he had ever said those words to her in person.

Months 17-18: Settling In

Within weeks of arrival, Carlos, Sofia, and Diego received their Green Cards in the mail. We helped the family with the practical steps of settling in — understanding their rights and responsibilities as permanent residents, Social Security card applications, and enrollment in school for the children.

The Obstacles We Overcame

Every immigration case has obstacles. In Maria’s family’s case, the key challenges included:

1. Carlos’s prior unlawful presence — Required careful legal analysis and documentation to confirm the three-year bar had expired
2. Document discrepancies — Sofia’s birth certificate name spelling required correction from abroad
3. Expired police clearance — Required Carlos to obtain a new clearance, adding weeks to the timeline
4. Affidavit of Support concerns — Maria’s income was modest; we carefully documented her employment history and financial resources to meet the 125% threshold
5. Emotional toll of extended separation — The family had been apart for years, and the stress of the immigration process compounded their anxiety. We maintained regular communication and set realistic expectations throughout.

Lessons for Other Families

How Bueno Immigration Helps Families Reunite

At Bueno Immigration, family reunification is at the heart of what we do. We have helped families across California navigate the family-based immigration process, including:

• I-130 family petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings
• Naturalization applications for permanent residents
• Consular processing coordination
• Affidavit of Support preparation
• Overcoming inadmissibility issues (unlawful presence bars, prior removal orders, criminal history)
• Waiver applications when bars to admission apply

Whether you are in San Diego, the Bay Area, or anywhere in California, our team is ready to help your family.

Our team is dedicated to reuniting families across California

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The case study presented in this article is a composite based on anonymized and fictionalized elements; it does not represent any specific client or case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every immigration case is unique, and the information provided here may not apply to your specific situation. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Bueno Immigration. For advice about your individual case, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and this post reflects the law as of the date of publication.