What Is a United States Green Card?

You may have dreamed about becoming a resident of the United States for a long time. Luckily, you may be afforded this opportunity via a green card application. Continue reading to learn what exactly a United States green card is and how an experienced green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at the Sesini Law Group, S.C., can help determine your eligibility and work through your filing process.

By definition, what is a United States green card?

Otherwise known as a United States Permanent Resident Card, a green card is an identification card that established your permanent resident status as an alien of this country. As a green card holder, you will be formally regarded as a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Am I eligible for permanent resident status?

Rest assured, several circumstances may allow you to be eligible for permanent residency in the United States. Such circumstances read as follows:

• Family-based circumstances: that is, you are the immediate relative of a United States citizen, and therefore you do not have to wait for a visa. As an “immediate relative,” you are either the parent of a citizen, a spouse of a citizen, or a child under the age of 21 of a citizen.
• Employment-based circumstances: that is, you have an employment opportunity or a job offer in the United States, and therefore you are seeking resident status while still outside of the United States.
• Refugee-based circumstances: that is, you have been admitted to the United States as a refugee or as a qualifying spouse or child of a refugee, and therefore you are seeking resident status one year after your entry date.
• Asylee-based circumstances: that is, you have been admitted to the United States as an asylee or as a qualifying spouse or child of an asylee, and therefore you are seeking resident status one year after your entry date.

Importantly, if you do not fall under any of the above categories, then you still may be able to apply for a green card via a special program or otherwise a self-petition.

What should I do if my United States green card application gets denied?

In the unfortunate event that your green card application is denied, you must gain representation from a skilled green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI. Our team will work to either file a motion to reopen your application or a motion to reconsider your application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office. Ultimately, we will help you gather and present the necessary evidence to prove that the denial of your application was due to an inaccurate application of the law.

So, whenever you are ready, pick up the phone and give our firm a call.