How Does the U.S. Immigration Process Work?

Family Members

There are numerous ways that the U.S. immigration process works as there are numerous pathways to obtaining United States citizenship. One of the most popular ways to become a citizen is by obtaining a green card through a familial relationship to an American. A sponsor who is over 21 years of age can have almost any direct family come over with the stipulation that the sponsor is a permanent resident and has the means to support the immigrant at 125 percent above the poverty line. An immigrant must be the sponsor's husband or wife, son or daughter (over 21 or married), or parent or sibling if the sponsor is over 21. However, there is a preferential hierarchy: unmarried sons and daughters are preferred, spouses after that, and finally, the rest of the categories after that. The process starts with a sponsor filling out form I-130, the immigrant visa petition for a family member. Once it's filled out, the person is placed in a line of other people from the country they're emigrating from, and when their turn comes up, they'll be issued an immigration visa.

Through Employment

Another way that the immigration process works is having immigrants come to the country through employment. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services allows for workers to come over with the filing of Form ETA 750, which is a labor certification request. It allows certain skilled workers to come to the United States by virtue of their abilities alone. Some of the prioritized workers include extraordinarily talented people in the field of art, education, business and athletics, those with advanced degrees, and physicians. Other skilled and unskilled workers can come, too, but they are lower on the priority list than the previously listed people. Then, the petition for an alien worker must be filled out, which is Form I-140. Eventually, a visa number and a visa will be assigned to the employee. This person can then apply for permanent residence and become a United States citizen.

Other U.S. Immigration Processes

While there are the simpler methods of becoming a citizen--due to family or employment--there are also other rarer ways to come to the United States. There's the diversity lottery program, which allows for 55,000 visas to be issued to immigrants from countries with low rates of emigration to the U.S. and their families every single year. Another pathway is through the immigrant investor process, which allows 10,000 people every year to invest either giant sums of money in companies in the country or to create new companies in rural or economically depressed areas. Another way to enter the country is through asylum. Those who are persecuted due to race, religion or beliefs can apply for asylum on entry into the United States and may be able to immigrate. Another immigration process is through being a refugee (either from repressive regimes or natural disaster). In 2005, the U.S. allowed 70,000 refugees into the country.

Resources

• US Citizenship and Immigration Services