Immigration

Immigrating to the United States to live here permanently is an important and complex decision. Immigration can include applying for permanent residency status, a temporary visa or citizenship in the United States.

U.S. citizenship can be obtained either through birth or through a process called naturalization. Unless you were born in the United States, or your parents were United States citizens at the time of your birth, you must go through the naturalization process to obtain citizenship.

Permanent Residence

A United States Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551), formerly Alien Registration Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form I-151), is an identification card attesting to the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States. It is known informally as a green card because it had been green in color from 1946 till 1964, and it has reverted to that color since May 2010. Green card also refers to an immigration process of becoming a permanent resident. The green card serves as proof that its holder, a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), has been officially granted immigration benefits, which include permission to reside and take employment in the USA. The holder must maintain permanent resident status, and can be removed from the United States if certain conditions of this status are not met.

A Lawful Permanent Resident can apply for United States citizenship, or naturalization, after five (5) years of residency. This period is shortened to three (3) years if married to a U.S. citizen, or four years if permanent residency was received through asylum. Lawful permanent residents may submit their applications for naturalization as early as 90 days before meeting the residency requirement. Citizens are entitled to more rights (and obligations) than permanent residents.

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the U.S.without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

Please call Jefferson Legal Group, P.C. today to learn more about immigration to the U.S.