A Green Card Lawyer For All Your Immigration Needs

A visa is a document that grants a person permission to enter the United States, and there are two types: an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa. Immigrant visas enable the applicant to become a permanent resident of the United States once they have entered the United States. The term “green card” describes the plastic photo identification card that verifies permanent resident status. 

As clarified by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), having a green card, also known as a “Permanent Resident Card,” “allows you to live and work permanently in the United States.” However, it is clarified that the “steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending upon your situation.” Being a permanent resident means you can live and work in the United States permanently unless and until the government withdraws this permission. The steps necessary to become a permanent U.S. resident will vary from applicant to applicant. Working with a green card lawyer ensures you approach the process with the proper assistance. 

With a green card lawyer from George & Marzialo, PLLC, on your case, you can rest assured that your green card application and the process itself will be completed as accurately and effectively as possible. There are extensive benefits related to having a green card, and our Lawyers work to support and expedite the process for you.

Green Card Lottery 

The green card lottery is commonly used to describe the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. As detailed by the USCIS, each year up to 50,000 immigrant visas are made available to a random selection of individuals who are from countries that have low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is managed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Winners generally reside outside of the U.S. and must immigrate through consular processing and the issuance of an immigrant visa. 

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs explains that each year there is a limited amount of time during which an applicant can register for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. Only one entry is allowed per person during the registration period; if an entry is late, it will not be accepted. Submission of more than one entry leads to disqualification. 

Upon entering, an applicant will receive a confirmation number which must be saved as it is the only way to check the status of the entry. If an applicant is selected, their confirmation number is key to receiving further instructions and scheduling an interview for a visa.

Achieving a Green Card Through Marriage 

Television programs such as “90 Day Fiance” have popularized achieving a green card through marriage. Entering the U.S. through marriage can be accomplished through family sponsorship or by filing for a K-1 fiance visa as the television program exhibits. If you are already married, your U.S. citizen partner will file a petition on your behalf. If you enter on a fiance visa you have 90 days to marry or your temporary right to be present in the U.S. is revoked. 

While these types of green cards can be more streamlined than others, they still require extensive paperwork that a green card lawyer will be able to help with the process. 

Employment-Based Immigration 

There are a variety of pathways through which a green card can be achieved, and your unique facts and circumstances will influence this process. One of the most common ways to gain permanent residence in the U.S. is through employment-based sponsorship. 

The process to align employer-based sponsorship is as follows:

• Your employer secures a labor certification from the United States Department of Labor 
• Your employer then petitions USCIS on your behalf 
• You apply for an immigrant visa, consular process, or Adjustment of Status (AOS)

George & Marzialo works with employers who are seeking to hire international personnel. Our firm also works with foreign nationals who have received a job offer in the U.S. and want to apply for permanent residence. 

Your Green Card Lawyer May Be Able to Help With Inadmissibility 

There are various factors and conditions that may make a person inadmissible to the United States, which means they are not allowed to enter the country and take advantage of the benefits of citizenship. Inadmissible status may develop due to different types of situations based on general categories. The Immigration and Nationality Act has established grounds for inadmissibility. These grounds must be known and understood well to avoid any potential pitfalls linked to inadmissibility. 

Persons may be inadmissible due to the following reasons:

• Health 
• Criminal reasons 
• National security reasons 
• The likelihood of becoming a public charge 
• Lack of labor certification 
• Fraud or misrepresentation 
• Prior removals and/or unlawful presence 
• Miscellaneous 

The reality that there is a general category for inadmissibility titled “miscellaneous” can make the process especially confusing as the government reserves the right to determine admissibility on a case-by-case basis. The most effective way to argue your unique case to the government is by presenting the strongest possible application in your favor by working with a green card lawyer. 

If you are classified as inadmissible, challenging your status or filing for a waiver is far easier with a green card lawyer assisting you. If you make the decision to file for your green card on your own, take the time to ensure that absolutely everything is filed both correctly and accurately. When a petition is filed incorrectly, it could render the applicant inadmissible for future visas. 

Green Card Lawyer Answers Your FAQs 

How important is accurate paperwork? 

Acquiring a green card is not as simple as filling out a form and providing a set amount of documents. Instead, each type of visa you might apply for will require a specific set of paperwork, each with different costs and requirements and different offices where they should be sent. Any errors or omissions in the application, including unintentional misinformation or missing evidence, can be detrimental to your success.

Any inaccuracies, fraud, or other misinformation in a visa application is considered fraud and can lead to a person becoming permanently inadmissible to the United States and disqualified from applying for any visas. Even minor errors that do not disqualify you from the green card process can also lead to inadmissibility, so submitting accurate information to the correct place is essential as an “inadmissible” status can prevent you from entering the United States. An experienced green card lawyer will apply their knowledge to ensure that any mistakes are caught and the information is effectively organized and processed in a timely manner. 

Do I need to hire a green card lawyer? 

The benefits of acquiring a green card are very significant, as they allow you to function freely and live in line with the rules of your visa until it expires. As with many benefits of value, it can take a significant amount of effort to obtain a green card. The process is extensive and has a number of requirements and factors that must be taken into account to achieve approval. 

While it is possible and allowed for you to apply for your green without the assistance of a green card lawyer, making sense of the increasingly complex immigration laws that will govern your green card can be difficult. It is important to consider the time, attention, and stress that goes along with the green card application process. 

Working with a green card lawyer helps to relieve the stress and demand on your time during the green card application process. While you could try and apply on your own, a great many individuals have decided to work with a green card lawyer and were ultimately pleased with their decision. 

How difficult is it to apply on my own to avoid hiring an EB-5 Lawyer for my green card? 

Applying for a green card is complex and time-consuming for people not taking advantage of the significant benefits of working with an EB-5 Lawyer. Deciding to work with a green card lawyer is one that will lead to a direct benefit in your favor. While you are the best source of the personal information and data that will drive the process forward, you have not processed dozens and dozens of green card applications, and you naturally are not completely familiar with the process. 

Your lawyer takes the information you provide to them and develops it further into the kind of evidence you need to succeed in the green card process. Filling out the correct forms in the correct way, and sending copies to the appropriate offices ensures the process is efficient. You provide the essential information while your green card lawyer applies their extensive knowledge and experience of immigration law to support your success.

Is the process as simple as submitting documents and waiting? 

While it would be ideal if the green card process were straightforward, linear, and simple, that is not the case. The U.S. government is not always the most streamlined operation regarding paperwork, and mistakes can and do happen more often than you might think. If the government makes a mistake and requests additional documentation on your green card application, you may be required to produce additional information. Your green card lawyer helps to manage the flow of paperwork and responds to government requests for more information on your behalf. 

Why is the green card application process so difficult without a green card immigration Lawyer? 

The process of applying for your green card is demanding, complicated, and laborious. Fortunately, a green card lawyer is able to answer any questions that you might have. If you have specific questions or are curious about forms and the particular evidence you need to effectively complete them, it can be difficult to contact someone in the government to answer your queries about your specific application. Your green card lawyer negotiates on your behalf with the immigration bureau, while providing support and assistance for any additional legal needs that might arise during the process. 

The amount of time and number of obstacles and speed bumps along the road to your green card are extensive. When you encounter these hurdles, it can take much of your time to try and contact the government, and even when you do, it can be difficult to have your questions answered and concerns addressed. 

The laws and statutes surrounding immigration and citizenship in the U.S. are hard to understand and almost purposefully complicated. When you are trying to gain benefits in the U.S., the law is not always going to be working in your favor. This can be frustrating as immigration yields applicants significant benefits, whether they are immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers. 

While persons trying to enter the U.S. may have their reasons for doing so, the U.S. has established immigration law to support national security and prosperity. While some individuals could be assets to the United States or are in need of individual aid, the U.S. government may still classify you as a security risk or a potential financial dependent and deny you entry. 

Connect with a Green Card Lawyer from George & Marzialo

If you are exploring options on how to achieve permanent residency in the United States, an EB-5 Lawyer can help advise you on what your best options are. By working with a green card lawyer from George & Marzialo, you will have support and advocacy every step of the way, reducing the stress and time demands required of you while supporting the success of your petition. Contact our firm to schedule your consultation today.