What is a Green
Card?
If you do not
have a claim to United States citizenship, you must acquire a visa
in order to legally work and live in the United States. There are
two categories of visas - immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas.
An immigrant visa, or what is commonly called a Green Card, will
give you permanent resident status.
A permanent
resident is provided equal protection under the United States Constitution
and thus has virtually all the same rights as a United States citizen.
There are some exceptions to this rule, including the fact that
a permanent resident is not permitted to vote. Also, a permanent
resident may only sponsor a spouse and unmarried children for permanent
resident status while a citizen may sponsor a spouse, parents, married
and unmarried children and siblings.
If you possess
a Green Card you may reside in the United States indefinitely provided
you do not abandon your status or commit an act that would classify
you as a deportable or excludable alien. Lastly, as a permanent
resident you have the option of becoming a United States citizen
5 years after acquiring your green card; or just 3 years if you
acquired your status through marriage to a citizen.
Ultimately,
someone seeking to live in the United States should attempt to acquire
a Green Card. With this in mind there are a number of options. The
conventional methods permit an alien to acquire a Green Card through
employment, an investment or a family member within the United States.
A
less conventional method, the Green Card Lottery, should also be
considered.
If you would like to explore your specific green card options please
send a request to us at:
Greencards@usimmigrationlaw.net
or contact
Leibl &
Kirkwood
12865 Point Del Mar, Suite 190
Del Mar, CA 92014, USA
Tel. (858) 481-5211
Fax. (858) 481-7271
questions@usimmigrationlaw.net
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