Green Cards and Permanent Residence in the U.S.

There are several ways to obtain permanent residence in the United States. You can receive a green card through employment, as a family member or spouse of a US citizen or permanent resident, as an investor, and in some other ways. Application for permanent residence requires a lot of paperwork, and the process of reviewing can sometimes take years. An experienced green card attorney in Houston will help you prepare the required documents and facilitate obtaining the desired immigration status.

The Rahgozar Law Firm is here to represent you every step of the way in obtaining a green card to stay in the United States.

Ms. Pegah Rahgozar is a Houston immigration lawyer who can assist you with issues relating to ensuring you obtain a green card and are allowed to stay in the United States. Ms. Pegah Rahgozar and her team will find the best solution that works for you.

From initial determination of your best options through obtaining your green card, Pegah Rahgozar will assist you and be the advocate you need by your side.

Pegah Rahgozar represents individuals in Houston, and surrounding areas, as well as across the great state of Texas. If you reside outside of Texas or the United States, Pegah Rahgozar can represent you too! We have taken cases and represented individuals from all over the United States and across the world.

Call for a Consultation with Pegah Rahgozar

Rights of a Green Card Holder

Possession of a green card comes with the right of permanent residence. A green card is an ID which indicates a date when you received a residence permit, as well as a code corresponding to the method of obtaining (employment-based residence, through a family member, etc.).

A green card means that its holder may move freely within the United States, work legally, leave and come to the country at his/her discretion, etc. It should be noted that there are some restrictions on entry due to a long absence in the country or criminal activity. In addition to the above privileges, a residence permit holder is allowed to serve in the Armed Forces. If you are a male immigrant over the age of 18, you must subscribe for the selective service, which means that you can be called up for military service.

Permanent Residence Through Employment

A person is required to have a green card if he or she wants to receive a permanent full-time job in the USA while not being a citizen or permanent resident. A green card request for such an employee must be filed by the employer.

Depending on the qualification requirements of the job and the expertise of the applicants themselves, there are 5 priority groups. As a rule, an applicant will be assigned to a group with a higher priority status if he / she has the necessary qualification, demanded skills, or extraordinary abilities. Recognized experts in their fields can get a green card relatively quickly while it may take years for ordinary employees.

Call for a Consultation with Pegah Rahgozar

Green Cards for Family Members

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you are able to petition (sponsor) to bring certain family members to the country. The wait time largely depends on the status of the sponsored person or type of the relationships you have with him/ her.

Typically, the wait time is not applied if you want to sponsor your spouse, child under 21 year of age, or parent. However, if you want to bring children older than 21, married children younger than 21, or a sibling to the USA, the wait time might exceed decades.

Since applying for a family-based permanent residence does not endow a sponsored with a legal status, it makes sense to contact a Houston immigration lawyer to consider possible options. There are programs for short-term and temporary residence in the United States that a family member can use while waiting for a green card approval.

Other Ways to Get Green Card

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa:  If you are willing to invest a certain amount of money ($1,000,000) in a real estate or business in Houston or its surroundings, you are eligible for residency on the basis of an immigrant investor visa EB-5. This visa allows obtaining a conditional residence for two years. During this period, you can apply for removing of conditions and if your application is approved, you will receive a permanent resident card for 10 years.

Refugee and Asylum Status: Refugees and individuals seeking asylum in the United States can also apply for a green card. Under certain conditions, the status of a permanent resident can also be obtained if you, as a spouse or child, have been subjected to domestic violence.

Diversity Lottery (or Green Card Lottery):  Citizens of countries with low immigration to the United States can hope for permanent residence via the Diversity Visa Program also known as the Green Card Lottery. 50,000 randomly selected applicants may win a green card each year.

Talk to a Houston immigration attorney (832) 792-3636 to see if any of the above-mentioned ways of obtaining a green card are applicable to your situation.

Is it Possible to Lose Permanent Residence?

You may lose your green card if:

– You move to another country for permanent residence;

– Your time outside the USA exceeds one year, and you have not received permission from USCIS for a long stay outside the United States. In some cases, your green card may be revoked even if you have been absent for less than a year.

– Your time outside the USA has exceeded two years and you received permission from USCIS but did not obtain a visa.

– You did not pay taxes or did not file tax returns while living outside the US;

– You filed tax returns as a “foreigner”.

Additionally, you may be deported from the United States if you have committed certain crimes.

If you have reason to believe that you may be deprived of permanent residence, do not hesitate to call the knowledgeable Houston immigration attorney at (832) 792-3636. We will do our best to help you retain your green card.

If you received a permanent residence on the basis of employment, it does not mean that your green card will be necessarily canceled in case of a job loss. If you received permanent residence as a family member, you will not lose your residence permit if your sponsor dies. You can also retain your marriage-based green card if you divorce a US citizen or permanent resident after obtaining a permanent residence.

But as always, it is best to seek the advice of a competent Houston immigration lawyer (832) 792-3636.

Call for a Consultation with Pegah Rahgozar

Marriage-Based Conditional Residence

If you have been married to a US citizen or permanent resident for less than two years, you can apply for a conditional resident card issued for two years. Before this card expires, you must remove the conditions. If you meet these requirements, you will be issued a permanent resident card valid for 10 years.

If you fail to remove conditions on your residence, your case will be reviewed at the immigration court. Therefore, you must apply for removing conditions even if you are no longer married to a US citizen or permanent resident.

If you have failed to remove the conditions on your permanent residence and have not yet been placed into immigration court proceedings, talk to a highly trusted and competent Houston immigration attorney (832) 792-3636 to see what your options are and whether you will face any long-term ramifications. Time is of the essence in these situations so get advice immediately!

Permanent Residence Green Card Lawyer in Houston

If you want to get a green card based on employment, family, marriage, or other types of permanent residence, you should understand that the process of obtaining the desired status can be difficult, complicated, and quite long.

Given the current immigration climate and the constant changes in immigration laws, there is no room for mistakes; hence you should apply for highly-qualified legal assistance.

Call Pegah Rahgozar Houston immigration attorney at (832) 792-3636 and we will guide you through all the details of the immigration process, help you collect the necessary documents, prepare an application for permanent residence, hold your hand through the complex and stressful process, and ensure a positive solution to your case.

Call for a Consultation with Pegah Rahgozar

Call Now Button