As a gay parent and immigration attorney in Nebraska, I know just how complicated it can be to protect our families under the law—especially when our families don’t fit the mold the legal system was originally built around. For years, same-sex couples faced major roadblocks when trying to secure U.S. citizenship for children born abroad, simply because one parent wasn’t biologically related to the child. That changed in 2021, when the State Department updated its policy to finally recognize that legal parentage—not just biology—matters. If you’re in a same-sex marriage and had your child abroad, you may now be able to establish your child’s U.S. citizenship without the hurdles that once stood in our way.

A past conviction doesn’t always mean the end of your immigration case—but under the Adam Walsh Act, it can create serious roadblocks. If you’ve received an I-130 denial because of an old criminal record, especially one involving a minor, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Learn how the Adam Walsh Act affects immigration petitions, what a waiver involves, and why early legal guidance from a Nebraska immigration attorney can make all the difference.