Here’s the situation, your mother has been in the U.S. without legal status for 20 years. As a U.S. citizen, you know you can file a petition for her, but you feel something is missing and wonder if you can do the application on your own or if you need an attorney.

Es admirable que quieras ayudar a tu madre. No todos los hijos están dispuestos a hacerlo, lo cual es triste. Sin embargo, antes de presentar la petición, es importante verificar si tu madre tiene un familiar calificado para el siguiente paso: el perdón de unidad familiar.

Although you can legally file the petition, it could be an unnecessary expense if your mother does not have a qualified relative. For peace of mind, consider seeking the help of a law firm to guide you through the entire process until you obtain the desired status.