Becoming a permanent resident, or obtaining a “green card,” is a significant step for noncitizens who wish to remain in the country. In addition, it is an essential step on the path to full citizenship, as individuals who have obtained green cards may apply for naturalization after five years, provided they meet certain other requirements; some individuals may even apply after three years. There are many ways in which a person can obtain a green card, some of which are discussed below. For specific information regarding your case, call our office today to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer.
One of the most common ways an individual can obtain a green card is through obtaining employment in the United States. A person without U.S. citizenship may receive a job offer from a U.S. employer who petitions the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the candidate. Additionally, an individual who invests in an enterprise that creates jobs in the United States may also be able to obtain a green card, as can individuals who are in certain special categories of employment, including the following:
Individuals can also obtain green cards through family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Categories of family members who may be eligible for a green card include the following:
Another way in which a person may obtain a green card is through approval of asylum or refugee status. Asylum seekers must reside in the United States and be able to establish that they are in fear of or have experienced persecution based upon race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who have been granted asylum may apply for a green card one year after that grant. Refugees, on the other hand, can apply from outside of the United States for refugee status. Similarly to asylees, refugees are eligible to apply for a green card after they are in the United States in refugee status for one year.
There are several other ways to obtain a green card in addition to those listed above. Some of these include the following:
There are a number of ways that you may be able to qualify for permanent resident status, and an experienced attorney can review your situation and determine which, if any, may apply to you. The Chicago green card lawyers of Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC are dedicated to helping foreign nationals and others with issues related to immigration law resolve their cases with the best possible outcome. To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at 314-332-2550.
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Matthew Kriezelman, first of all, thank you very much; you and your team are the best immigration lawyers in Chicago. I had a great experience—your professionalism was outstanding, and you were always there whenever needed. I give you five stars for the wonderful work you and your team did. Thanks again.
We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Khiabett for her exceptional work and dedication in handling my husband’s removal proceedings case. We also want to thank Agata for her great communication during the gathering of all documents. Khiabett, we are incredibly grateful for your expertise, guidance, and persistence throughout the entire process. I can't thank you enough for your empathy and for standing by me during such…
Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
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