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Acquiring a green card through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is one of the most well-known pathways to citizenship. Green card holders have the right to live permanently in the U.S. and work at any job that does not have a security restriction against green card holders. Having a green card also grants you protection by all laws at every level of government in the United States, and an immigration lawyer from John W. Lawit, LLC can help.
Because green cards are in high demand and there are so many limitations on the application process, if your application is rejected due to errors or incomplete information, you may have a long wait before your next application is chosen for review. Having an attorney guide you through the process helps ensure that your application will not be rejected.
There is no limit on the number of visas issued for the immediate family members (children under 21, parents and spouses) of U.S. citizens. Once the family member of a U.S. citizen has a visa, they apply for an “Adjustment of Status.” If the adjustment of status is approved, a green card is granted.
Applicants for family-based green cards who fall outside of the immediate family category are prioritized based on preferences:
USCIS places a limit on the annual number of visas granted under the system of preferences. Family members who successfully complete the application process must still wait for a visa to become available.
The USCIS issues employment-based green cards based on knowledge and job skills considered to be of long-term benefit to the U.S. job market. Preferred immigrant workers are categorized under the following preferences:
Like nonimmediate family members, there are annual quotas on the number of green cards granted to immigrant workers. A single country’s applicants cannot exceed 7% of the total number of green cards issued.
The main eligibility requirements for a green card after establishing asylum status are fairly straightforward. An applicant for an asylum-based green card must wait until at least one year after being granted asylum and be able to prove they were physically present in the U.S. during that time. The grant of asylum must be active, the applicant must still meet the legal definition of a refugee and must be physically present in the U.S. when filing for the green card.
For help acquiring a green card, contact the law offices of John W. Lawit, LLC by calling 214-609-2242 or submitting our online form. We serve clients in Texas, New Mexico, and throughout the United States.