United States immigration laws allow certain non-immigrants to adjust their status to that of lawful permanent residents (LPRs). This is often known as getting a green card.
Green Card refers to the official card issued by the US government to lawful permanent residents (immigrants) as evidence of their authorization to live and work in the United States. It is commonly called the Green Card not because of its current color, but because of the original color of the card many years ago.
A Green Card gives an individual who is not a US citizen the legal right to live and work in the United States, permanently. A recipient of a Green Card also has the right to sponsor some relatives for Green Cards. You may keep your present citizenship, and you may apply for U.S. citizenship at a later time. Green Card holders also receive health, education, and other benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
An individual can obtain lawful resident status in a variety of ways.
Family Member with Approved Visa Petition: LPR status may be available to the spouse, parent, child, adopted child, or sibling of a U.S. citizen or to the spouse or unmarried child of a current LPR. Other than the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen, applicants in this category must generally also have an available immigrant visa number.
Employee with Approved Visa Petition: Aliens with approved employment-based visa petitions may be eligible for LPR status. Applicants other than the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen must generally also have an available immigrant visa number to obtain LPR status.
Fiancé of a U.S. Citizen: Aliens who were originally admitted on K-1 visas who married, within 90 days, the citizen who applied for their K-1 visas are eligible for LPR status, along with their unmarried, minor children.
Cuban Citizen: Citizens of Cuba who were inspected, admitted, or paroled into the U.S. more than one year earlier, along with any spouse and child who lives with them in the U.S., may be able to adjust their status to that of LPRs.
Child of Current LPR: The unmarried child under age 21 of a parent who became an LPR may be eligible for LPR status.
Spouse of Current LPR: An alien whose spouse became an LPR after the two were married may be able to apply to adjust his or her status to that of an LPR.
Leeders & Associates also works with you to help you obtain your travel and work visas while waiting for your green card approval. If you are eligible and would like to apply for your green card, now is the time to call for a fee consultation. The attorneys at Leeders & Associates will help guide you through every step of the process.
For a free consultation, call 312-427-7400 today to speak with an experienced Chicago bankruptcy attorney at Leeders & Associates, Ltd. for a free consultation.
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