Extended Family members

Extended family members can be very important for immigration purposes. An extended family can help an individual immigrate to the United States because they are able to financially support the immigrant. For example, if your petitioning family member cannot support you according to the immigration requirements, you may be able to get other family members (aunt, uncle, cousins, etc.) to sign an affidavit of support as well. Family members can useful as well in providing documentation or other information that may be requested by the immigration services (photos, letters, information about home country, etc.)

One of biggest problems (or a benefit depending on your perspective) under the immigration law is that US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents are unable to petition for certain relatives. Under the current immigration code a US Citizen can petition for mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, minor children, or spouse. A lawful permanent resident can petition for spouse, unmarried son and daughter and minor children. What this means is that a US citizen or lawful permanent cannot petition for extended family members such as nephews, nieces, cousins or aunts/uncles.

What you can do is get a temporary visa for them or help them get a labor certificate, which would allows them to come to the United States legally.