News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. July 14, 2017: Under the current Donald Trump administration, legal status or a green card for any immigrant has become a prized possession. As some would say – as precious as silver or gold! But what are the ways for immigrants, including those now living in an undocumented capacity to get a Permanent Resident Card or Green Card in Trump’s America?
Based on a number of questions from several immigrants recently, I will, over the next eight weeks, be exploring 8 ways this can be done legally under current immigration laws and based on information obtained from the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services, (US CIS). This will also help spare many from becoming victims of fraud.
So let’s start this week with option 1 – Green Card Through A Family Member.
A U.S. citizen can sponsor a fiancée or fiancé, spouse, a child under the age of 21, a sibling or a parent for a green card. Additionally, a US citizen child can sponsor a parent or parents while a U.S. citizen parent can sponsor a child or children – unmarried and under the age of 21, as well as married.
The spouse of a U.S. citizen, an unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen and the parent all are deemed as “immediate relatives” to a US citizen, meaning the application processing time will be faster, with the beneficiary getting a work permit in about three months.
The processing time will be a lot longer for a US citizen sponsoring a married son or daughter or an unmarried child older than 21 as well as a brother or sister, which can run into almost a decade.
Under this Family Member category as well, a U.S. citizen can also bring their fiancé or fiancée as well as their child or children to the US under a K-1 non-immigrant visa. The green card will come once they get married within 90 days of entry in the US and the US citizen spouse petitions for a green card on their behalf.
Also benefiting from a green card through marriage is the widow or widower of a US citizen, if they were married at the time their spouse died.
Additionally, if you are an abused spouse but married to a U.S. citizen, you will be or lawful permanent resident you may also be able to get a green card under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by filing as a self-petitioner and victim of battery or extreme cruelty. An abused child or abuse parent of an U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may also qualify under this category.
But it’s not only U.S. citizens who are allowed to sponsor relatives for green cards or permanent status. Permanent residents or green card holders can also petition for a spouse, an unmarried child under the age of 21 or an unmarried child who is 21 years old or older but the processing time from application to green card takes a lot longer – almost 18 months to two years in some instances.
An attorney or immigration consultant can help you fill out the form – I-130, Petition for Alien Relative accurately and highlight all the necessary documents needed and fees. The filing fee for an I-130 Petition is currently US $535. If the person you are sponsoring is already in the US, then you will have to also file form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and pay another fee of US $1,140. A biometric services fee of $85 is also required for applicants between 14 and 79 years of age.
Look out for Option 2 next week, in the 8 Ways To Get A Green Card In Trump’s America series!
