Panel Rejects Suit over Immigrants' Adult Children

Updated: Tuesday, 06 Sep 2011, 2:28 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 06 Sep 2011, 2:28 PM MST

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that immigrants might have to wait years to bring their now-adult children to the country.

A three-judge panel for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, Calif., has ruled that a 2002 law on children's immigration does not enable these now-grown children to come here more quickly.

It can take more than a decade to obtain a green card through a relative, but only children under 21 can immigrate on their parents' petitions.

Immigration attorneys argued that a 2002 law designed to prevent children from "aging out" due to lengthy processing meant that now-grown children should be allowed here soon after their parents filed paperwork on their behalf. But the government says they were new applicants and must start the process anew.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/im ... n-9-6-2011