Lawful Permanent Resident – commonly known as a “Green Card” it grants an individual immigration benefits such as permission to live and work in the United States.
One way to obtain a Green Card is to be an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. To determine if you are an immediate relative, you must fall under one of the following categories:
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen;
- Unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen; or,
- Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
Currently in the United States:
To be eligible to receive a Green Card as an immediate relative, the beneficiary must meet following requirements:
- Filed the proper application – Form I-485;
- Were inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States;
- Physically present in the United States at the time Form I-485 was filed;
- Eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
- Immigrant visa is immediately available at the time your application is filed and at the time a final decision is made on your application;
- The relationship between you and the person who petitioned on your behalf still exits;
- None of the bars to adjustment apply to you
- Admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver or other form of relief
- You deserve the favorable exercise of discretion from USCIS
To determine if you are eligible to apply for a Green Card in the United States, it is best to speak to an experienced immigration attorney prior to filing any paperwork
- DISCLAIMER: Our office does not provide deportation defense to people in Immigration custody.