Permanent Residency

Permanent Residency Status

In the United States, permanent residency refers to a person’s immigration status. A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is not a U.S. citizen but is authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. A Lawful Permanent Resident is also known as a Permanent Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder.

The process of getting a “Green Card” while in the United States is called Adjustment of Status. By comparison, the process of getting a green card from outside the United States is called Consular Processing.

How to become a Lawful Permanent Resident?

There are several pathways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. Many individuals obtain LPR status through Employment Sponsorship, family sponsorship, others seek it through refugee or asylum status, or through the Diversity Visa (Green Card) lottery.

There are also several employment-based immigrant visa in the employment sector who qualify for Adjustment of Status at some point.

Immigration Attorney Kavitha Ramasami is experienced in Adjustment of Status applications.

Contact her today to check whether you are eligible for Adjustment of Status and get more information.

Rights and Responsibilities of Permanent Residents

Permanent residency status carries with it a number of important rights and responsibilities; some of these include the following:

The right to live permanently in the United States, as long as the permanent resident does not commit any violations that would warrant removal under U.S. law
The right to work in the United States
The right to be protected by the laws of the United States, the permanent resident’s state of residence, and local jurisdictions

In addition to the aforementioned rights, permanent residents also have the following responsibilities:

Permanent residents must obey the laws of the United States, the separate states, and all localities
They must file income tax returns and report their income to the United States Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities
Green Card holders are expected to support the United States’ democratic form of government and not to change the government through illegal means
Male Green Card holders who are 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service

Green Cards

A Green Card is the informal name for a U.S. government issued I.D. that serves as proof of an individual’s permanent residency status. The official title for Green Cards is the United States Permanent Resident Card. However, it is often referred to as a Green Card because it was the color green from 1946 through 1964, and again from 2010 on. Green Card holders should keep in mind that like any lawful permanent resident, they can have their status revoked and removed from the U.S. if they violate certain conditions

Immigration Attorney Kavitha Ramasami has processed numerous Lawful Permanent Residency applications and will be happy to assist you with your Adjustment of Status petition. Please contact her for additional information or to schedule an appointment.