Obtaining a Green Card
In the United States, permanent residency refers to a person’s immigration status. A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is not a U.S. citizen but is authorized to live and work in the United States permanently. A Lawful Permanent Resident is also known as a Permanent Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder.
Immigration Attorney Karla De La Rosa-King has processed numerous Lawful Permanent Residency applications and will be happy to assist you with your Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing application.
Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing
The process of getting a “Green Card” within the United States is called Adjustment of Status. By comparison, the process of getting a green card from outside the United States is called Consular Processing. Those applications are processed in the U.S. Embassy or consulate in a foreign country.
It is important to understand that permanent residency is a privilege under the law. It can be revoked, even after receiving a green card.
How to become a Lawful Permanent Resident?
There are several pathways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. Many individuals obtain LPR status through family or employment. Others seek it through refugee or asylum status, or the Diversity Visa (Green Card) lottery.
Immigration Attorney Karla De La Rosa-King is experienced in Adjustment of Status and Consular Process applications. Contact her today to check whether you are eligible to Adjusts Status or Consular Process and get more information.
Rights and Responsibilities of Permanent Residents
Permanent residency status carries with it important rights and responsibilities; some of these include the following:
- The right to live permanently in the United States, as long as the permanent resident does not commit any violations that would warrant removal under U.S. law
- The right to work in the United States
- The right to be protected by the laws of the United States, the permanent resident’s state of residence, and local jurisdictions
In addition to the aforementioned rights, permanent residents also have the following responsibilities:
- Permanent residents must obey the laws of the United States, the separate states, and all localities
- They must file income tax returns and report their income to the United States Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities
- Green Card holders are expected to support the United States’ democratic form of government and not to change the government through illegal means
- Male Green Card holders who are 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service
Green Cards
A Green Card is an informal name for a U.S. government-issued I.D. that serves as proof of an individual’s permanent residency status. The official title for Green Cards in the United States is Permanent Resident Card. It is often referred to as a Green Card because of its historical greenish color. Green Card holders should keep in mind that like any lawful permanent resident, they can have their status revoked and removed from the U.S. if they violate the law.
Immigration Attorney Karla De La Rosa-King has processed numerous Lawful Permanent Residency applications and will be happy to assist you with your Adjustment of Status application. Please contact her for additional information or to schedule an appointment.
Green Card Lottery
Every year 50,000 green cards are allocated through a random drawing popularly known as the green card lottery. You can enter the lottery if you are a native of a qualifying country.
There is no cost to register for the Diversity Immigrant Visa program but you can be disqualified if the application is not properly completed or if you submit more than one application. A new application is required every year.
If your name has been drawn in the lottery, you must act quickly to apply for a green card. You will be given a case number, which is also called a rank number. Since the United States notifies twice as many people as there are green cards available, it is possible that even though you win the lottery, that year’s green card allotment will be used up before your interview is scheduled.
Most lottery winners reside outside the United States and immigrate through consular processing. If you apply for the DV visa through the consular process, you must arrive and apply for admission in the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. A diversity visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance.
A person only obtains official lawful permanent resident status after being inspected and admitted into the United States. The actual physical green card will be ordered and sent by mail to you.
Some lottery winners are legally residing in the United States; thus, they can apply for Adjustment of Status with USCIS. These applicants must show that they are admissible to the United States.