Monday, 13 August 2012

The Rights of Permanent Residents or Green Card Holders

By Charles Wheeler


The term "green card" actually refers to the issuing of a permanent residence card, officially from the INS form I-151 application. The reason is took on the name "green card" is because the light olive green background that the card possessed, specifically from 1946 through 1964, and again beginning in 2010.

The holder of a green card obtains certain rights in the United States. Included in this, would be the right to stay in the nation indefinitely, the ability to work at any kind of work for that they are capable to do, along with the right to obtain citizenship following a certain period of time, determined by their situation.

There are various classifications for eligibility when applying for a residency. They are sectioned into three categories. The first is the family qualification. An applicant can apply for a a residence card if they have immediate members of the family who are either citizens or have permanent residency.

There is another group of eligibility classifications that have to do with employment. If a worker can find certain work, or if an employer wants to sponsor a worker, there are eligible classifications for obtaining green card status.

The third group is for refugees or asylum seekers. Each of these three categories also has quotas set on how many residents can enter in a certain year. The selection of applicants typically exceeds these limits, and the waiting time for an applicant can be varying from a couple weeks to several years, depending on the form of eligibility used on their application.

Other rights afforded to card holders are the rights to petition for a family member to enter the country. A resident pays taxes and is eligible for public assistance. One can also start paying in on the Social Security program and expect to receive benefits from that program once eligible.

Penalties also exist where one can lose their issued card. The holder must obey laws and not be convicted of any crime. If a card holder has entered the country because of relationship to a spouse, that relationship must continue for a specified period of time. Likewise, if a card hold entered under employment eligibility, the term of employment must continue for a specified period of time.

If a permanent resident takes a job in another country, their residence ends in this country. If one leaves the country and does not return for one year, they must start the process again. Finally, not paying one's taxes violates the conditions of their residency.

Many people seek to enter the United States in a legal manner. By doing so, they are afforded certain rights and a path to citizenship. This is seen as an honorable opportunity by most.




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