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What exactly is a green card?
You hear a lot about the necessity of having a green card in order to legally live and work in the U.S. But what is a green card and how do you get one?
To begin with, “green card” is only a nickname for the card you need. The official name is Permanent Resident Card. Green cards got their nickname because they were, in fact, green in color from 1946 until 1964.
Green card eligibility and process
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains thatmany different typesof green cards exist. Which one you should apply for depends on your particular situation. All require that you file both an immigrant petition and a green card application form. Most immigrants require a sponsor to file their immigrant petition for them, but you may be able to file it yourself depending on your precise circumstances.
Visa applications may require disclosing social media accounts
Changes to the process of obtaining a U.S. visa require certain applicants to list their social media accounts. Individuals seeking to obtain a visa may need to provide their online user names or profile handles when requested.
U.S. border control officials have the authority to review any information posted online to vet visa applicants, who currently number about 15 million individuals each year. Applicants requesting to visit the U.S. will need to comply with the social media review requests.
Social media contents may affect application approvals
The majority of social media users post personal information and pictures of themselves, their vacations and their families. They may also post opinions and criticisms. As reported by CNN, an official authorized by the Department of Homeland Security may review online content and photographs. The intent is to determine whether an individual poses a risk. If content posted online suggests that U.S. security faces a threat, an individual’s application may not result in an approval.
Detailing family immigration quotas
The process of lawfully immigrating to the Unites States can be quite complex, and as many people in Plano know, is not a privilege immediately afforded to everyone. At the same time, countless people are legally granted residency in the U.S. every year (indeed,the Department of Homeland Securityreports that 1,031,000 people were granted lawful permanent residency status in 2019 alone). A large number of these people are folks hoping to be reunited with their families. Yet all immigration opportunities cannot be reserved for family reunification. As such, family immigration quotas have been established to govern the number of visas allotted to those looking to meet up with loved ones already in the U.S.
Can a trip affect your permanent residency?
As a permanent resident in Texas, you have certain rights and responsibilities. In addition, you have an obligation to retain your residency. When you receive a green card, this does not mean that you cannot lose your permanent residency. In fact, many people have to be careful when it comes to travel outside of the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains that you arefree to travelto other countries. The length of your trip, however, could affect your permanent resident status. It is crucial to know what affects residency before you plan your trip.
It is possible to abandon your permanent residency. This happens if an officer determines that you did not plan to make the U.S. your permanent home. Generally, you do not have to worry about brief trips. Officers look at your records. They look to see if you paid your income taxes, if you have family and community ties or retained U.S. employment. In trips that are under a year in length, it has to be clear that you plan to return.
How can you help a loved one prepare for the naturalization test?
If you have a family member preparing to take the naturalization test, it is both an exciting and nerve-racking time. The test involves more than questions about your family member’s background and application data. The English and civics test are intimidating for a lot of people who must take it. Fortunately, with the right preparation, your family member will do fine. How can you help? With the help of a study guide from the USCIS, you can help your loved one.
The civics section of the test involves 10 questions. There is a pool of 100 questions that the 10 questions draw from and you must answer at least six of these questions correctly. If you are helping a family member prepare, it helps to access all 100 possible questions. Give your loved one ample time and go over each question and answer. This way that there are no surprises on this portion of the test.
Can a parent with a fiance(e) visa bring children to the US?
Blended families often have unique circumstances when it comes to the law. If you are considering an engagement with a U.S. citizen, you may have concerns about how moving to the United States to be with your future spouse will affect your children.
According to the U.S. Department of State—Bureau of Consular Affairs, options are available tobring your children with youor have them follow you after your move to America. However, a child does not qualify for the following options if he or she is married.
K-2 visa paperwork
If you have a green card, do not vote in a U.S. election
With the 2020 election less than a year away, it is impossible not to see political news and advertisements. As such, there is a good chance that you may develop meaningful thoughts about current events, candidates and ballot measures. If you are not a U.S. citizen, though, voting in any election may be disastrous.
As a legal permanent resident, you havecertain rights and responsibilities. For example, you can live and work in the United States without worrying about obtaining special permission. You cannot vote, however. On the contrary, voting is a privilege that only U.S. citizens may enjoy.
False claim of U.S. citizenship
Eligibility requirements for obtaining a fiancé visa
As a U.S. citizen who wishes to bring your foreign-born fiancé to the United States for the two of you to marry, you are going to need to take certain steps before moving forward. Typically, the first step you need to take is to attempt to secure a fiancé via, which is also known as a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.
Before you obtain a fiancé visa, you need to demonstrate that you are actually eligible for one, and this involves meeting certain stricteligibility requirements.
Assessing eligibility
How do you know if you are eligibletobring your fiancé into the United Stateson a fiancé visa? To meet eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S. citizen, and you must intend to marry your fiancé within 90 days of the date that he or she arrives in the United States.
What happens after you get a fiancé visa?
It is impossible to tell your heart what it wants. If you fell in love with someone who happens to not be a U.S. citizen, then the chances are good that you will one day want him or her to come to Texas so that you can marry. The easiest way to bring your partner into the country is with a fiancé visa or a K-1 visa.
The point of this visa, according to the U.S. Department of State, is to allow your partner toenter the country for the main purpose of marrying you. Once immigration authorities approve your fiancé’svisa, heor she will get a packet of sealed documents along with the visa and his or her passport. The sealed packet contains the documents he or she turned in during the visa application process and some additional documents from the U.S. Embassy.
Filing immigration paperwork for the sibling of an adopted child
There are several reasons families choose to adopt from overseas. Families may want a child of a certain age and may struggle to find children in these age groups within their area. Some immigrants may wish to provide a home to someone from their country of birth. American-born citizens may want to provide a better standard of living to someone from a poorer country.
Whatever the reason, the International Adoption Simplification Act of 2010 is one law these families should become familiar with. Here is some of the basic information provided by USCIS.
Adopting a birth sibling between the ages of 16 and 18
The 2010 amendment allows birth siblings of an already-adopted child to qualify as a Hague Convention adoptee. This becomes possible after the child who is not yet adopted turns 16 but before their 18th birthday. There are several restrictions to keep in mind and a lot of paperwork to file, but the option is available.
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