A client was concerned as he was a permanent resident and needed his mother to come to help him in the United States with his children. His mother has applied for B1/B2 visa twice, but was denied. He was concerned if this would affect the I-130 petition he wanted to file for her.

It is natural to worry about a loved one. However, the first thing you should do is become a U.S. citizen as soon as you are eligible. Do not procrastinate. Once you get your naturalization certificate, you can file the petition for your mother.

Previous applications, whether for a B1/B2 visa or others, do not affect the I-130 petition, as long as you have not lied in the process. The government does not object to you filing multiple applications, although, of course, each application comes at a cost.