Being able to travel out of the Untied States, keep a steady job, and settle a family in the United States is something that most natural born United State citizens take for granted. However, for millions of immigrants, especially Hispanic immigrants, these freedoms do not come so easily. Immigrants coming to the United States must apply for a green card or some kind of visa to be able to work and live.
Nevertheless, this process is cumbersome for most and involves many steps and applications. Univision.com outlines the two major steps to getting a green card and they are as follows:
- Someone must sponsor you for a green card, either a family member or a employer. In some cases the person can petition for themselves.
- Once approved they can present their solicitation for Registration for Permanent Residency of Form 1-485 in the United States. Processing times vary. For example forms 1-485 has a 4 ½ month waiting period.
What Can Hurt Your Green Card Status
Did you ever think shoplifting could get you deported? Well if you are not a natural born citizen of the Untied States a simple misdemeanor can put your citizenship at risk. Committing a crime or felony can affect obtaining and current green card status tremendously. If a person has been arrested, accused, or convicted of a crime they must present documentation of this when applying for a green card. This includes offenses such as a DUI.
More information about green cards and the Naturalization process click here.
To see a slideshow on the topic of immigration and green cards click here.
Interview with Jorge Jimenez on the issue of a green card