Milpitas Green Card Attorney

Obtaining Lawful Permanent Resident Status

For many people, applying for a Green Card is a significant milestone that represents the opportunity to build a life in the United States. Obtaining lawful permanent resident status makes it easier to work and live in this country, gives you access to more benefits and protections, and provides the opportunity to sponsor family members in the future. Understanding the eligibility requirements and application steps can help you feel more confident about this process.

What Does Having a Green Card Mean?

When you obtain lawful permanent resident status in the United States, it’s commonly called getting your Green Card. This is because the original cards issued in the 1940s were on green paper. A Green Card allows you to establish permanent residency in the United States, travel internationally, and legally work. Lawful permanent residents can also apply for naturalization and U.S. citizenship after the required period of time has passed.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Lawful Permanent Resident Status?

To be eligible for a Green Card, you should be admissible to the United States and meet the requirements for the category you’re applying under. There are multiple Green Card options, with some of the most common categories being family-based or employment-based immigration.

You can also apply for a Green Card if you are a victim of human trafficking, abuse, or other crimes and meet the requirements, which can include being willing to provide information about the perpetrator to aid in their investigation or prosecution. Those applying for lawful permanent resident status also need to attend a biometrics appointment and an interview.

What Happens at the Green Card Interview?

Many Green Card applications must attend an in-person immigration interview where an immigration officer asks questions about the application and verifies its accuracy. The officer may ask questions about your employment background, criminal record, and immigration history. If you’re applying for a family-based Green Card, you can also expect questions about your relationship to your sponsor. While your attorney isn’t allowed to answer any questions for you, they can help you prepare for the interview and attend with you as an observer.

Why Would a Green Card Application Be Denied?

While the majority of Green Card applications are approved, denials can and do occur. Common reasons an application for lawful permanent residence may be denied include not providing enough supporting evidence, being inadmissible, not responding to Requests for Evidence, and failing to attend the required appointments.

Whether your Green Card application has already been denied or you want to do everything you can to avoid a delay, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Daniel Shanfield Immigration Defense P.C. can help. We can help you put together a strong application and explore an appeal or other alternatives if your case is denied. Contact our office at 408-359-4388 to meet with an attorney.