8 U.S.C. § 1204

Immediate relative and special immigrant visas

A consular officer may, subject to the limitations provided in section 1201 of this title , issue an immigrant visa to a special immigrant or immediate relative as such upon satisfactory proof, under regulations prescribed under this chapter, that the applicant is entitled to special immigrant or immediate relative status.

( June 27, 1952, ch. 477 , title II, ch. 3, § 224, 66 Stat. 195 ; Pub. L. 89–236, § 11(d) , Oct. 3, 1965 , 79 Stat. 918 .)