3 Ways to Get a U.S. Green Card

Immigration has been and will continue to be a central issue in the United States. But for people that want to make this their country, there is no controversy. The United States is for them the place where they can improve the quality of their lives, where they can come to escape from prosecution, where they can fulfill their professional dreams, where they can encounter higher incomes and greater work opportunities. The reasons are as endless as the number of individuals wanting to call this their home.

How many immigrants live in the United States?

The Migration Policy Institute has estimated that in 2018 there were close to 45 million immigrants living in this country. Although historically the number of immigrants per year has had a tendency to rise, in recent years it has been growing far slower than before.

What are the most common ways to get a U. S. Green Card?

The Green Card is the most coveted document that all immigrants would like to have. Although there are a number of visas that allow people to legally reside in the United States, the Green Card has a higher degree of permanence, and can actually lead to citizenship. Based on your eligibility category, here are the three most common ways to get one:

Green Card Through Family Sponsorship

This is by far the most common way to obtain a Green Card. However, to qualify, you must be a close relative to an American citizen or Green Card holder. A close relative is a spouse, parents, or any unmarried children that are under the age of 21. Through Forms I-130 and I-485, the U. S. citizen would petition for their relative. If the close relatives are not yet in the United States, they will go through their consulates and be approved by the Department of State. If the person doing the petition is a Green Card holder and not a citizen, the process will take a lot more time.

Green Card Through an Employer

If you have been fortunate enough to receive a job offer in the United States, your employer can help you on your way to getting a Green Card. To begin with, your employer must get a labor certification for you with the Department of State, using Form I-140. For more details, ask an immigration attorney how this process would work.

Green Card to Refugees or Asylum Seekers

If you entered the United States as a refugee or seeking asylum you are eligible to apply for a Green Card one year after your arrival. Immediate family members of asylees can also apply. Both asylees and refugees generally do not need to file a petition if they meet the requirements to adjust their status and get a Green card.

Filing Your Petition

The number of visas available varies depending on the qualifying category through which you are applying. Close relatives, for example, do not have to worry because there is an unlimited number of visas for them. To make sure you are on the right pathway to getting your Green Card, an immigration attorney is your best ally. Green Card lawyer Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez has the expertise and knowledge you need to navigate through this complicated process and get the desired results.