Green cards

Legal Permanent Resident Status

Obtaining a green card or legal permanent resident (LPR) status is the goal of most immigrants to the United States. Achieving this status means that you have had an immigration petition approved. It also means many other things, including:

• The right to work and travel anywhere in the United States
• The right to leave the country and return without a visa
• The right to receive all constitutional rights accorded to a citizen

Obtaining a green card also carries some responsibilities, the most important of which is paying taxes. LPR status is not citizenship, and holders of green cards cannot vote or receive most types of welfare benefits.

Our Orange County, California, law firm helps people pursue legal permanent resident status through family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, the diversity lottery and by receipt of asylum status. To learn the different ways you might achieve a green card, contact our Newport Beach immigration lawyer. Call the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah at 1-866-511-2757.

Family-based immigration

A common way to obtain a green card is through family-based immigration. If you have an approved petition and receive a visa, you can begin the application process. Filing form I-485, which is the application for status as permanent resident, starts the process of changing your status from a legal alien to a permanent resident. Because there is no limit on the number of green cards for family-based immigrants, this is often the best way to proceed. An immigration lawyer can advise you about this.

Diversity lottery

Probably the easiest way to start the process of changing your status to that of a legal permanent resident is to enter the diversity lottery. This program gives out 50,000 green cards each year to randomly selected immigrants. While the process of applying is easy, millions of people apply for these spots, making your chances of actually receiving a green card less likely than through family or employment-based immigration or other approaches to the green card.

Asylum

Some immigrants can get a green card by obtaining asylum in the United States because they fear persecution if they return to their home country. An immigrant who has obtained asylum may file a petition for legal permanent resident status after living as an asleep person for one year. Our law firm can advise you about petitioning for asylum and for a green card.

To discuss the different ways of obtaining a green card, contact our Orange County, California, immigration lawyer. Call the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah in Newport Beach toll-free at 1-866-511-2757.

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