American Green Card Policy

Green cards, or permanent visas, allow foreigners to reside permanently, granted they follow the rules and regulations.

Green card, a colloquial term that has turned into a worldwide recognizable term for "ticket to America," is the permanent visa that allows qualified non-American citizens to reside legally in the United States. As the U.S. government can only allot a certain amount of permanent visas per year, they are highly coveted. For this reason there are many rules and regulations regarding green card holders to make sure they are deserving of the status.

Green Card

Also known as a permanent residency card, or permanent visa, green cards allow foreigners to legally reside in the United States for an unrestricted period of time as long as they comply with the regulations for holding a green card. Green card holders, known as LPRs (legal permanent residents), have the same rights and liberties as U.S. citizens, however, LPRs are not allowed to vote in federal, state or municipal elections or hold a U.S. passport. LPRs are protected equally under the law and have right to trial as any American citizen would.

Green cards are granted for unlimited duration, however, there are certain types of green cards known as "conditional" green cards that expire after two years. Conditional green cards are for those that must prove their eligibility for the green card and are usually issued to LPRs married to U.S. citizens during their first two years of marriage. Before the conditional green card expires, the LPR and his sponsor (such as a spouse) are required to file a removal of the conditional status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), after which a permanent (standard) green card is issued.

Qualifications

Not everyone is qualified for a green card; you have to possess the appropriate visa to alter your status to that of permanent resident. Qualification visas that can lead to green cards are permanent work visas, refugee or asylee visa, fiancé(e) or spouse visa (for those married to or intending to marry an U.S. citizen), family visa (family members of U.S. citizens or green card holders) or lottery visas. Once the qualifying visa is obtained, the alien files for permanent residency, known as I-485, only after entering the United States.

Restrictions

Though LPRs hold the same rights and liberties as citizens (except voting), there are certain restrictions LPRs must comply with to maintain their green card status. These primarily include limitations on international travel; LPRs must be present in the United States to prove their intention to reside; LPRs who leave the United States for periods of one year or more without getting authorization from the USCIS are considered in abandonment of their U.S. residence and are stripped of their green card. Simply entering the United States once per year to make a "presence" is not enough to maintain a green card. Patterns of absence are closely monitored by the USCIS and are recorded at every point of exit and entry.

Requirements

Aside from the requirement to actually "reside" in the United States as a permanent resident, LPRs must also live rightfully by all local, state and federal laws or risk removal (deportation). Convictions, whether for serious crimes or misdemeanors, can and usually end up before an immigration court. The majority of convicted felonies are considered grounds for deportation and loss of green card status. In such cases there is no "list" of crimes that lead to deportation, as it is up to the sole judgment of the immigration court to decide.

Additional requirements include renewing your green card every five years through the USCIS and reporting every change of address (when you move) to the USCIS within 10 days of the move. Failure to keep the USCIS up to date or to keep your documents up to date can result in possible deportation.

Duration

Green cards have no limit as long as you continue to renew it, however, after five (three for spouses of U.S. citizens) years of lawful residency, green card holders are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

References

• USCIS: Green Card (Permanent Residence)
• USDS: Visa Types for Immigrants