How a Single Mother in Mexico Can Transfer Custody to a Grandmother and Bring the Child to the US

This is a two-stage legal process: (1) termination/transfer of parental rights in Mexico, and (2) US immigration for the child. Both require careful legal counsel.

Stage 1: Mexican Family Law Process

1. File a petition in the Juzgado de lo Familiar (Family Court) of the child's domicile.
2. Grounds: Voluntary relinquishment (renuncia a la patria potestad) or loss of parental authority (pérdida de la patria potestad). The court evaluates the child's best interests (interés superior del menor).
3. Evidence: Grandmother's capacity (financial, emotional, housing), child's opinion (if ≥12), psychological evaluations, social work study.
4. Judicial ruling: If granted, a formal sentencia transfers patria potestad and guarda y custodia to the grandmother. This is irreversible.
5. Register the judgment with the Civil Registry to update the birth certificate.

Stage 2: US Immigration for the Child

• If grandmother is a US citizen: File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for the child as an "immediate relative" (if legally adopted or legitimated) or pursue IR-3/IR-4 adoption visa if full adoption occurs. The Hague Adoption Convention applies (Mexico is a party).
• If grandmother is a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR): Child falls under F2A category (spouse/child of LPR); subject to visa bulletin wait times.
• If neither: No direct family-based path; explore humanitarian parole (rare) or other visas.

Critical Requirements

• Child's valid Mexican passport.
• Grandmother's proof of income (Form I-864 Affidavit of Support at 125% FPG).
• Medical exam by panel physician.
• Visa interview at US Consulate (Ciudad Juárez for immigrant visas).

⚠️ Strongly engage a Mexican family lawyer and a US immigration attorney. Errors can cause permanent separation or visa denial.