(The Center Square) - One of the most prevalent ways for immigrants to gain legal status in the United States is through family-based visas. However, backlogs in the system often lead to decades-long wait times.

Each year, the United States allows an unlimited number of immediate family members to obtain visas in the country. These visas are reserved for spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens.

Additionally, the government awards 226,000 family-preference visas each year. These visas can be given to unmarried children 21 or older, siblings and married children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

In fiscal year 2024, the United States issued 265,467 immediate relative visas and 205,762 family preference visas.

The family-preference visas have certain caps dependin

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