Navigating the I-130 Form: Part 3 – Biographic Information

Introduction

The United States is a land of diverse opportunities and is often the destination of choice for many immigrants seeking a better life. Among the various immigration processes, the I-130 form holds a special place. This form is the key to uniting family members with their loved ones who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. One integral section of this form, known as “Biographic Information” (Part 3), plays a crucial role in the application process.

In this article, we will guide you through the intricacies of the “Biographic Information” section of the I-130 form. It is imperative to fill out this section accurately and comprehensively, as it helps immigration authorities in their assessment of the petitioner’s background. To make things more practical, we’ll walk you through the process using a fictitious persona, John Smith, a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

The I-130 Form: A Vital Step in Immigration

The I-130 form, officially titled the “Petition for Alien Relative,” is a fundamental document in family-based immigration. It is used by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to establish their relationship with a foreign family member, who may be eligible for lawful permanent residency in the United States. Essentially, this form serves as a petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to recognize the familial bond and initiate the immigration process.

The significance of the I-130 form lies in its ability to bring families together. For individuals seeking to sponsor their relatives for immigration, this form represents the first step toward realizing that dream. Once approved, it allows the foreign family member to apply for an immigrant visa or, if eligible, adjust their status to that of a lawful permanent resident within the United States.

Stay with us as we delve into the specific steps to complete each part of this section using John’s example, ensuring that your application sails through without complications.

Understanding the “Biographic Information” Section

The “Biographic Information” section, labeled as Part 3 of the I-130 form, may appear straightforward at first glance, but its importance cannot be overstated. This section is all about providing detailed personal information concerning the petitioner, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, who is initiating the immigration process for their family member. It helps the USCIS establish the petitioner’s identity, background, and familial connections.

Part 3 is further divided into various subparts, each capturing a distinct aspect of the petitioner’s biographic data. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll encounter in this section:

• 1. Ethnicity: This part requires the petitioner to select their ethnicity from two options:
  (a) Not Hispanic or Latino
  (b) Hispanic or Latino
  Petitioners should choose the category that best represents their background.
• 2. Race: This part allows petitioners to select one or more races that apply to them:
  (a) White
  (b) Asian
  (c) Black or African American
  (d) American Indian or Alaska Native
  (e) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
  It’s important to note that you should select all races that apply to you. If you identify with multiple races, ensure that you mark the relevant checkboxes.
• 3&4. Height and Weight: In this section, you’ll provide your height (in feet and inches) and weight (in pounds). This information is used for identification purposes.
• 5. Eye Color: Choose your eye color from the following options:
  (a) Black
  (b) Gray
  (c) Maroon
  (d) Hazel
  (e) Blue
  (f)  Brown
  (g) Green
  (h) Pink
  (i) Unknown/Other
  Select the color that accurately describes your eye color.
• 6. Hair Color: Similar to eye color, you’ll need to choose your hair color from the following options:
  (a) Bald (No hair)
  (b) Black
  (c) Blond
  (d) Brown
  (e) Gray
  (f) Red
  (g) Sandy
  (h) White
  (i) Unknown/Other

Again, choose the most appropriate description for your hair color.

These seemingly straightforward details may appear simple, but accuracy is key in filling them out correctly. Small errors can lead to delays or complications in your family member’s immigration process. To make this more practical, we’ll use John Smith, our fictitious petitioner, as an example to guide you through each step of this section in the next part of the article.

Sample Persona: A Lawful Permanent Resident’s Perspective

Let’s introduce you to John Smith, our fictitious petitioner from the United States. John is a 42-year-old lawful permanent resident, originally from the Philippines. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. John is sponsoring his sister, Maria Garcia, for lawful permanent residency in the United States.

John’s application to the USCIS is a crucial step in reuniting his family, and he has diligently filled out the “Biographic Information” section of the I-130 form. Throughout this article, we’ll use John’s example to illustrate how to correctly complete this section.

John’s details will serve as a practical reference for anyone, not just lawful permanent residents but individuals from all around the world, who are looking to fill out the “Biographic Information” section accurately in their I-130 forms.

Filling Out the “Biographic Information” Section

Now that we’ve introduced you to John Smith, our fictional petitioner from the United States, it’s time to dive into the specifics of completing the “Biographic Information” section on the I-130 form. As mentioned earlier, this section plays a critical role in verifying the petitioner’s identity and background, so filling it out accurately is of utmost importance.

We’ll walk you through each part of this section using John’s example:

• 1. Ethnicity: John, being of Filipino origin, selects “Not Hispanic or Latino” to accurately represent his background.
• 2. Race: In this part, John checks the boxes for “Asian” and “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander” since he identifies with both categories.
• 3&4. Height and Weight: John’s height is 5 feet 10 inches (5’10”) and his weight is 170 pounds.
• 5. Eye Color: He marks “Brown” for his eye color.
• 6. Hair Color: For hair color, John selects “Black.”

As you can see, John’s responses are aligned with his personal attributes, and they accurately reflect his background. It’s important to follow this example closely when filling out your own “Biographic Information” section to ensure the information is as precise as possible.

The key takeaway here is that this section of the form is not about making judgments; it’s about providing genuine and accurate details. In doing so, you help immigration authorities properly process your application.

Edition Date
07/20/21. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

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