Green Cards: Permanent U.S. Residence

There are several categories of people who can apply for “green” (permanent residency) cards.  In some of these categories, an individual is immediately eligible; in others he or she must wait until one becomes available.

• Family relatives in the U.S.  Unlimited number of green cards can be issued to immigrants who are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.  (e.g. spouse of U.S. citizen.)  Other family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  Limited number of green cards available.  Selection based on preference categories.
• Marriage to U.S. citizen.
• Employment-Based Green Cards.  Those individuals with job skills wanted by U.S. employers.  Limited number of green cards available.  Selection based on preference categories.
• Diversity Visa: Green Card Lottery.  Created to benefit those individuals from countries that in recent years have sent the fewest numbers of immigrants to the U.S.
• Investment-Based Green Card.  Available to anyone who invests a minimum of $1 million in creating a new U.S. business or restructuring or expanding one that already exists.
• Special-Immigrant Based Green Card.  Special immigrant green cards are available to the following people, including but not limited to: foreign workers who were formerly longtime employees of the U.S. government, workers for recognized religious organizations, foreign medical graduates who have been in the U.S. a long time, etc.
• Refugees and Asylees.  An individual must have experience persecution in the past or have a well-founded fear of persecution in the future in the individual’s home country.  After the government grants an individual refugee or political asylum status, if conditions are not safer in the individual’s home country after a year, a green card can be applied for.

Citzenship and Naturalization

Green-card holders can, after a certain time, apply for U.S. citizenship.  The benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen include the right to vote, hold public office, be employed with the federal government and, perhaps most importantly, can never be deported, even if certain laws are violated.  The Gambacorta Law Office, LLC can assist clients in determining eligibility for naturalization, completing the requisite paperwork, and prepare for the naturalization exam and interview.