Chicago Permanent Residency Lawyers

A “permanent resident” is an individual who has been given official permission to work and live in the United States indefinitely. Proof of that status is a permanent resident card, commonly called a green card. Though many individuals want to obtain permanent resident status, the process of doing so can be complex and can involve many different immigration laws of which they may be unaware. Becoming a permanent resident can require many qualifications, as well as a substantial amount of documentation.

If you would like to become a permanent resident and enjoy the benefits that come with this status, you should have an experienced immigration attorney assist you through the process. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC has practiced immigration and nationality law exclusively for more than five decades. We opened our doors in 1974, and in the years since, we have represented thousands of individuals and families working to secure or protect their place in the United States. Our team would be honored to help you and yours take the next steps in your permanent residency journey.

Who We Serve

We help individuals, professionals, and families pursue permanent residency through a wide range of circumstances, including when:

• You want to know whether and how you or a loved one may qualify for a green card.
• You are a U.S. citizen hoping to sponsor a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, and you want help choosing the right immigration category, timing, and evidence.
• You are a lawful permanent resident who wants to sponsor a spouse or unmarried child and bring your family members one step closer.
• You are pursuing a green card through your job or employer and want to understand how the employment-based path fits your goals.
• You are seeking long-term protection inside the U.S. through refugee or asylum status.
• You are unsure whether to apply from inside the United States through adjustment of status or from abroad through consular processing, and you want the option that best suits your situation.
• You are watching the Visa Bulletin and trying to make sense of priority dates, country-specific waits, and when a green card may finally become available.
• You are facing a complication like a prior overstay, denial, or missing documentation.

Regardless of how complex or simple your case may seem, our firm is ready to guide you through this important process.

Permanent Residency Paths and Requirements

You cannot simply request a permanent resident card for any reason. Instead, you must have a qualified basis to want to stay in the U.S. permanently. There are different ways to seek this permanent resident status, and the following are some examples of how to obtain it.

Family-Based Permanent Residency

If you have a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify to receive a permanent resident card because of your relation to him or her. Through the Immigration & Nationality Act, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides the opportunity for spouses, children (unmarried and under the age of 21), and parents of U.S. citizens to become permanent residents. In addition, there are a limited number of green cards available for the following specific “preference categories” that include the following:

• Unmarried adult children (and their children if applicable) of U.S. citizens;
• Spouses, children, or unmarried adult children of permanent residents;
• Children of U.S. citizens who are married, including their spouses and children; and
• Siblings of adult U.S. citizens, as well as their spouses and children.

In addition, individuals with parents who are foreign diplomats or individuals who are survivors of domestic violence may be eligible for a permanent resident card.

Employment-Based Permanent Residency

One of the primary reasons a person may want to obtain permanent residency is to have the ability to work in the U.S. An individual who is hired for a qualifying position or wishes to start a business venture in the United States may be eligible for a green card. In addition, individuals with extraordinary abilities, including athletes, academics, and others, may be able to obtain permission to permanently work in the United States.

Refugees or Individuals Seeking Asylum

People who are fleeing persecution or a very dangerous situation in their home country may qualify for permanent residency after being designated as refugees or asylees. They must wait one year after they were granted asylum or after they came to the U.S. as refugees. The process of obtaining a permanent resident card and available waivers are different for refugees and asylees than for other groups, so it is important to discuss your specific situation with an immigration attorney.

Why Work With Us to Pursue Permanent Residency?

• Focused on Immigration Law: Every case we handle is an immigration matter. That concentrated experience runs across the full spectrum of green card categories and circumstances.
• More Than 50 Years of Practice: Our firm’s history since 1974 means we have navigated countless shifts in immigration law and policy, and we put that perspective to work for our clients.
• Full-Service Representation: Whether your case involves a family petition, an employment-based path, adjustment of status, consular processing, a renewal, or a complication that needs untangling, we handle it all.
• A Reputation Built on Client Care: We are known not only for our legal skill, but for being attentive, responsive, and genuinely invested in the people we represent.
• Thousands of Families Helped: We have guided countless individuals through some of the most meaningful transitions of their lives, from initial applications to renewals and everything in between.

Contact an Attorney for Guidance Today

If you want to pursue permanent residency in the U.S. or have been denied a green card, you should not hesitate to call a Chicago immigration lawyer who can assist you with the process. Our team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC is ready to review your circumstances and help you determine your best way forward. Call us today at 312-332-2550 or schedule your consultation with us online.

FAQs About Permanent Residency