How to Get a Green Card

by Bray, Ilona M.

• ISBN13: 9781413305203
• ISBN10: 1413305202
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-30
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

With green cards at a premium, it's essential that people know all that's required to get these much sought-after documents. This book presents ways to get a green card through: parents, siblings and adult children-spouses or fiancées-employers-green card lotteries-political asylum or refugee status. Includes lists of more than 400 groups that help with paperwork and offer counseling and legal referrals.

Author Biography

Ilona Bray is an author and legal editor at Nolo. Her specialties include real estate, immigration law, and nonprofit fundraising. She received her law degree and a Masters degree in East Asian (Chinese) Studies from the University of Washington. She is also the author of Fiance & Marriage Visas and Student & Tourist Visas, and Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits. Ms. Bray lives in Oakland, CA.

Table of Contents

Is This Book for You?
A Look at Immigration History
America's Earliest Settlers	6	(1)
Early Immigration Restrictions	7	(1)
Today's Immigration Laws	8	(1)
Looking Forward	9	(3)
Overview of Categories
Family-Based Relationships	12	(1)
Employment-Based Relationships	13	(1)
Special Immigrants	14	(1)
Entrepreneur Immigrants	14	(1)
Asylum and Refugee Status	14	(1)
Amnesties	15	(3)
Short-Term Alternatives to a Green Card
How Do Foreigners Enter the United States?	18	(1)
Types of Visas	18	(3)
Tourists Who Can Visit Without a Visa	21	(1)
The Importance of Keeping Legal	22	(1)
How to Extend a Visitor Visa	23	(1)
Changing Your Reason for Staying	24	(1)
What to Do If Your Application Is Denied	24	(1)
Tips on Filling Out Form I-539	25	(9)
Will Inadmissibility Bar You From Getting a Green Card?
Inadmissibility Defined	34	(1)
The Possibility of Waiving Inadmissibility	34	(1)
Reversing an Inadmissibility Finding	34	(8)
Most Troublesome Grounds of Inadmissibility	42	(5)
How Long You'll Have to Wait
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens: No Waiting	47	(1)
Relatives in Preference Categories: Longer Waits	47	(1)
Dealing With the Wait	48	(1)
Can You Predict How Long You'll Wait?	48	(3)
Revocation of a Petition or Application	51	(3)
Fiance and Fiancee Visas
Who Qualifies for a Fiance Visa	54	(1)
Quick View of the Fiance Visa Application Process	55	(1)
Detailed Instructions for the Fiance Visa Application Process	56	(3)
How to Bring Your Children on a Fiance Visa	59	(1)
Marriage and After	59	(15)
Green Cards Through Marriage
Who Qualifies	74	(1)
Special Rules in Court Proceedings	75	(1)
Quick View of the Marriage-Based Green Card Application Process	75	(2)
Detailed Instructions for the Marriage-Based Green Card Application Process	77	(5)
Bringing Your Children	82	(1)
If Your Marriage Is Less Than Two Years Old	82	(2)
If You Remarry	84	(1)
Common Questions About Marriage and Immigration	85	(11)
Your Parents As Immigrants
Who Qualifies to Petition for Their Parents	96	(1)
Who Qualifies As Your Parent	97	(2)
Quick View of the Application Process	99	(1)
Detailed Instructions for the Application Process	99	(5)
Child Immigrants
Who Qualifies	104	(1)
Definition of ``Child''	105	(2)
Quick View of the Application Process	107	(1)
Detailed Instructions for the Application Process	107	(2)
Automatic Citizenship for Some Children	109	(11)
Orphan Immigrants
Who Qualifies as an Orphan Child	120	(1)
Who Can Petition for an Orphan Child	121	(1)
Pre-Adoption Requirements	121	(1)
Starting the Adoption Process	122	(1)
Where to File	123	(1)
After the Petition Is Approved	123	(1)
Filing for a Visa	124	(1)
Automatic Citizenship for Adopted Orphans	124	(5)
The Diversity Visa Lottery
Who Qualifies for the Lottery	129	(1)
How to Apply for the Lottery	129	(2)
After You Win---The Green Card Application	131	(1)
How to Bring Your Spouse and Children	132	(4)
Amerasian Immigrants
Who Qualifies as an Amerasian	136	(1)
Who Can Start the Process	136	(1)
Who Will Serve as a Sponsor?	136	(1)
How to File	137	(1)
Where to File	138	(6)
Your Brothers and Sisters As Immigrants
Who Counts as Your Brother or Sister	144	(1)
Quick View of the Application Process	145	(1)
Detailed Instructions for the Application Process	145	(1)
What Happens After Filing Form I-130	146	(5)
Refugees and Political Asylees
Who Qualifies	151	(1)
Who Is Barred From Qualifying	152	(1)
How to Apply for Refugee Status	153	(1)
How to Apply for Political Asylum	154	(4)
If Your Asylum Application Is Denied	158	(1)
Asylees Can Bring Overseas Spouses and Children to the United States	158	(1)
Getting a Green Card After Asylum Approval	159	(1)
Revocation of Asylee Status	159	(1)
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)	160	(18)
Veterans and Enlistees
Who Qualifies	178	(1)
How to File	178	(1)
Becoming a U.S. Citizen	179	(7)
Registry: For Those in the U.S. Since 1972
How You Got Here Is Irrelevant	186	(1)
Short Absences Allowed	186	(1)
How to File	186	(1)
Additional Documentation Required	186	(1)
Approval of Registry	187	(3)
Cancellation of Removal
Applying in Court Proceedings	190	(1)
Who Qualifies for Cancellation	190	(1)
Who Is Not Eligible for Cancellation	190	(1)
Preparing a Convincing Case	191	(3)
How to File	194	(1)
Approving Your Application	194	(1)
Additional Forms of Cancellation of Removal	195	(3)
Adjustment of Status
Who Is Allowed to Use the Adjustment of Status Procedure	198	(3)
People Who Can't Adjust Status at All	201	(1)
How to File	202	(3)
After You Apply	205	(1)
Interview and Approval	206	(8)
Consular Processing
How Your Case Gets to the Consulate	214	(1)
Forms and Documents You'll Need to Mail	215	(1)
Forms and Documents You'll Bring to Your Interview	215	(2)
Your Visa Interview	217	(1)
Approval of Your Immigrant Visa	218	(1)
Arriving in the United States	218	(22)
Private Bills
What Is a Private Bill?	240	(1)
How a Private Bill Is Passed	240	(2)
Inside the Immigration Bureaucracy
Understanding the USCIS Culture	242	(1)
Where to Go	243	(1)
Tips for Filing Your Applications	244	(2)
Inquiring About Delays	246	(2)
Speeding Up Processing in Emergencies	248	(1)
Reporting Wrongdoing	249	(3)
Immigration Forms: Getting Started
Don't Give False Answers	252	(1)
Check for Current Forms and Fees	252	(1)
Tips for Filling Out Forms	253	(1)
When Additional Proof Is Required	253	(3)
Submitting Photographs for Identification	256	(1)
Fingerprinting Requirements	257	(1)
Keep Your Own File	258	(2)
Keeping, Renewing, and Replacing Your Green Card
Renewing or Replacing Your Green Card	260	(1)
When the Immigration Authorities Can Take Away Your Card	260	(10)
How to Find and Work With a Lawyer
Where to Look for a Lawyer	270	(1)
Deciding on a Particular Lawyer	271	(1)
Paying the Lawyer	272	(1)
Managing the Lawyer	272	(1)
Firing a Lawyer	273