Permanent Resident Rights

Immigration is defined as the movement of people from one country to another. Anyone that immigrates to another country and violates that country’s immigration laws is deemed an illegal immigrant and can be deported back to their original country. Tourists of a country are not considered immigrants; just temporary visitors. An immigrant to the United States is allowed to live indefinitely in the country without becoming a citizen if they receive permanent resident status. This status is identified with a green card.

To obtain a green card one must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be an immediate relative of a current United States citizen that is 21 years of age or older.
• Be an unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen that is 21 or older.
• Be a spouse or minor child of a lawful permanent resident.
• Be a married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen.
• Be a brother or sister of an adult U.S. citizen.
• Be an investor.
• Be a skilled worker or professional.
• Be someone who holds a master’s degree or Ph.D.
• Be someone with extraordinary ability in the arts, education, athletics or the sciences.

All of the items mentioned above are known to be true and are legal items in the eyes of the United States judicial system when it comes to determining whether or not someone in the country can obtain permanent residency status.

Rights

As a lawful and legal permanent resident of the United States, anyone that holds a green card has a variety of rights and responsibilities that are common with being a citizen of the country as well. These rights are enforceable by law and cannot be taken away from a permanent citizen unless they are involved in a crime that calls for incarceration.

The rights include but are not limited to:

• Live and work permanently anywhere in the U.S.
• Apply to become a U.S. citizen once you are eligible.
• Request a visa for your husband or wife and unmarried children to live in the U.S.
• Get Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare benefits, if you are eligible.
• Own property in the U.S.
• Apply for a driver’s license in your state or territory.
• Leave and return to the U.S. under certain conditions.
• Attend public school and college.
• Join certain branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Purchase or own a firearm, as long as there are no state or local restrictions saying you can’t.

Becoming a permanent resident of the United States has its benefits, as noted above, but it also comes with responsibilities too. Those responsibilities are:

• Obey all federal, state, and local laws.
• Pay federal, state, and local income taxes.
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 26.
• Maintain your immigration status.
• Carry proof of your Lawful Permanent Residency status at all times.
• Give your new address to the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of each time you move.

The process of filing for permanent residency in the United States can be a daunting task and can be time consuming. Any individual that is considered permanent residency should consult the legal advice of an immigration attorney to help with the filing of all the paperwork and making sure that all of the proper steps and requirements are met.