Chicago Residency Attorney

If you wish to make a life for yourself in the United States, you need a green card. Legally referred to as “Permanent Residency,” green card status grants you the same rights as any natural born U.S. citizen save for the right to vote and run for an elected office. The greatest benefit of a green card, however, is that it virtually eliminates the threat of deportation.

Whether you are single and wish to establish a life for yourself in the U.S. before starting a family or you have a spouse and children whom you wish had the same rights and privileges as a U.S. citizen, talk to the Chicago residency attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC about permanent residency status. The green card process is a long and strenuous one, and even one minor mistake can set you back years. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the application process and ensure that you are a U.S. permanent resident in no time.

Who Can Obtain a Green Card?

Permanent residency status is the next best thing to naturalization, or the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, as it grants one the right to live in the U.S. indefinitely. Because of this, not just anyone can obtain a green card. There are a host of eligibility requirements, all of which can be found at USCIS.gov. However, the most basic requirements include:

• Eligibility for one of the immigrant classes established by the Immigration and Nationality Act, and which can be found at USCIS.gov;
• An immediately available immigrant visa;
• Approval for a qualifying immigrant petition; and
• Admissibility into the U.S.

The most essential eligibility requirement, however, is the first one. There are eight categories under which a person may apply for permanent residency. Those are as follows:

• Family;
• Employment;
• Special Immigrant;
• Refugee or Asylee Status;
• Human Trafficking and Crime Victims;
• Victims of Abuse;
• Registry; and
• Other.

Typically, priority is given to applicants with family already in the U.S., though individuals with certain skillsets are also often given immediate consideration. No matter which category you apply under, however, you will be forced to go through a long and intricate application process which involves several interviews. A Chicago residency attorney can help you prepare for those interviews and ensure that you give off the positive impression interviewees look for.

Expectations Once You Have Your Green Card

Once you obtain permanent residency status, you will be expected to uphold certain expectations. Those are more or less the same as the ones every natural-born citizen is expected to uphold, with a few slight variations. Your responsibilities include:

• Obey all local, state, and federal laws;
• File income taxes in accordance with state and federal laws;
• Carry validation with your permanent residency status at all times;
• Invest in health insurance;
• Support the U.S. government; and
• Keep the Department of Homeland Security up-to-date on your living arrangements and informed of any address changes.

Though permanent residency status comes with some restrictions, you get to enjoy all the same rights and freedoms as an American citizen. You can obtain a driver’s license, gain employment, purchase a firearm, and more, and you will continue to enjoy those rights so long as you do not do anything to get your green card status revoked.

Work With an Experienced Permanent Residency Attorney in Chicago

If you want to become a permanent resident in the U.S., the quickest and most cost-effective path to doing so involves hiring an experienced attorney. Reach out to the Chicago residency attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to discuss your options today.