There are plenty of reasons why a person from another country might wish to reside permanently in the United States. From romantic ties to economic and religious opportunities to the fact that America has some of the best pizza joints in all of the world (that’s right, Italy), it’s no wonder that so many people find themselves applying for green cards each year. Of course, the green card application process can be rather complicated, and generally requires the help of an experienced immigration attorney who truly knows the ins and outs of the law. Daniel Fisher of the law firm Fisher & Frommer, NYC is an experienced immigration attorney who has spent years helping clients with their green card applications, and he feels that the process is usually far too complex for any individual to simply handle himself.
Named for its color at one point in time, a green card is an identification card confirming the recipient’s status as an authorized permanent resident of the United States. There are several ways in which a person can go about achieving permanent residence status. Most people who apply for green cards do so on the basis of family or employment. Since the United States on a whole is a proponent of family unity, the laws allow citizens and permanent residents to petition for their close relatives to be granted permission to reside permanently in the United States along with them. In such situations, preference is given to immediate family members such as spouses, children, and parents.
While the requirements for family-based green card applications are somewhat cut and dry, the conditions for work-related green card applications can be a bit more tricky. In some cases, workers who can offer proof that they possess extraordinary abilities in certain professions are eligible for permanent resident status. However, in other situations, it can be difficult for a more “average” employee to prove that he is worthy of a green card by merit of employment only. While the majority of green card candidates tend to apply on the basis of either family or profession, certain humanitarian programs work to facilitate the application process for those truly in need.
Once a person 18 years of age or older is granted a green card, he is required to carry such identification with him at all times. Additionally, certain criteria must be maintained in order for a person to fulfill the obligations under his permanent residency status; failure to do so could result in unfortunate consequences, including deportation. Of course, those who apply for green cards tend to do so for a reason — that they truly wish to reside permanently in the United States. Therefore, most green card recipients make it their business to abide by the terms of their permanent residency agreements in order to avoid problems on the immigration front.
While the green card application process can result in the wonderful benefit of being granted permanent residency status, the procedure is definitely not easy. If getting a green card is something that’s high on your “to do” list, then contact an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your qualifications and evaluate your options. Remember, even the “easier” green card applications can seem overwhelming if you’re not an attorney and therefore are unfamiliar with the process. By hiring an attorney to help you with your green card, you’ll be bringing yourself one step closer towards what for many is a lifelong goal — to reside in America and take advantage of all of its glorious opportunities.
