Filing an appeal to get a green card
Green cards provide cardholders with a range of helpful benefits while they await naturalization and continue the process of working toward citizenship in the United States. A person’s application risks denial depending on his or her circumstances and the evidence they submit with their application.
People who receive correspondence notifying them of the denial of their application, have the right to file an appeal to dispute the decision.
Reopen vs. reconsider
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, people may request a reconsideration if they feel or have evidence that information on their application was misunderstood and led to an inaccurate or incorrect decision. A reconsideration is also an option if evidence suggests that immigration law was improperly applied to a person’s case.
If people wish to file for a green card again after denial and closure of their application, they may pursue an appeal requesting a reopening of their case. In this situation, people would need to present adequate evidence about what has changed or will change in the evidence they supply with their application. They will also need to provide proof of the evidence they are adding to their file.
Eligibility for filing an appeal
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds people that they still have the right to file motion even if notification suggests that their case is not eligible for an appeal. Dissatisfactory decisions may leave people feeling frustrated and misunderstood and an appeal is an excellent way for them to present alternative evidence, add clarification and provide more in-depth information to hopefully sway the decision in their favor.