Who can sponsor a relative in a family-based petition?

• A. The relative seeking immigration
• B. The U.S. citizen or permanent resident who files the petition
• C. An employer
• D. A friend

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that family-based immigration is initiated by a sponsor, not the person seeking to immigrate. A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can file the petition on behalf of a qualifying relative, which starts the process to bring them to the United States. The relative who wants to immigrate is the beneficiary, not the sponsor, so they cannot sponsor themselves. An employer sponsors for employment-based immigration, not for family-based petitions, and a friend has no standing to sponsor a relative at all. So the person who can sponsor a family-based relative is the U.S. citizen or permanent resident who files the petition.