My family is originally from Tonga, and I’ve been living in California for a while now as a green card holder. I became a lawful permanent resident through my spouse, who is a U.S. citizen. Things have stabilized, and I’m now thinking about bringing my younger sister over from Tonga. She’s 19, unmarried, and still lives at home with our parents. I’d like to know whether I’m allowed to file any kind of petition for her to immigrate to the U.S., or if I have to wait until I become a citizen. What options exist for green card holders who want to help siblings?

As a green card holder, you cannot sponsor your sister for a green card. Only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for their siblings under current immigration law.

Once you become a U.S. citizen, you can file Form I-130 for your sister, but sibling petitions often take over a decade to become current due to visa backlogs, especially for countries without special preference.

In the meantime, your sister may explore other temporary options like a student visa (F-1) if she qualifies academically and financially. This won’t guarantee a green card, but it could allow her to study in the U.S. while waiting for other long-term paths.