How to Get a Green Card

by Lewis, Loida Nicolas; Madlansacay, Len T.; Repa, Barbara Kate; Sherman, Spencer; Boswell, Richard A.

• ISBN13: 9780873375313
• ISBN10: 0873375319
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

Details the numerous ways to obtain a green card, including all of the forms needed, instructing what documents are necessary, and showing how to fill out all of the paperwork.

Table of Contents

How to Use This Book
A Look at History
America's Earliest Settlers	p. 2
Growth of the Continental U.S.	p. 3
Legal Controls Consolidated	p. 4
Looking Forward	p. 5
Getting a Visa
What Is a Visa?	p. 2
Types of Visas	p. 2
Exemptions From the Visa Requirement	p. 4
Frequent Flyers: Special Rules	p. 5
Getting an Extension of Your Stay
How to File	p. 2
The Importance of Keeping Legal	p. 3
Changing Your Reason for Staying	p. 3
What to Do If Your Application Is Denied	p. 4
Tips on Filling Out Form I-539	p. 4
Getting a Green Card
Family-Based Relationships	p. 2
Employment-Based Relationships	p. 2
Entrepreneur Immigrants	p. 3
Special Immigrants	p. 3
Asylum and Refugee Status	p. 4
Quota Systems and Preference Categories
Immediate Relatives of Americans: No Waiting	p. 2
Preference Categories	p. 2
How Long Must You Wait?	p. 4
Shifting Preference Categories	p. 5
Revocation of a Petition or Application	p. 6
Fiance and Fiancee Visas
How to File	p. 2
Marriage and After	p. 4
Green Cards Through Marriage
Penalties for Marriage Fraud	p. 2
Special Rules for Newlyweds	p. 2
Marrying Within Two Years of Permanent Residence Grant	p. 3
Getting a Green Card	p. 3
Proving a Valid Marriage	p. 5
Getting a Permanent Green Card	p. 5
If You Remarry	p. 7
Common Questions About Marriage and Immigration	p. 7
Adjustment of Status
Who Qualifies	p. 2
Who Does Not Qualify	p. 3
How to File	p. 3
Getting Employment Authorization	p. 6
Approval of Your Application	p. 6
Consular Processing
Who Qualifies	p. 2
Filing the Petition or Application	p. 2
Starting the Process	p. 2
Personal Interview	p. 3
Approval of Your Immigrant Visa	p. 4
Arriving in the United States	p. 4
Your Parents As Immigrants
Requirements for the Petitioner	p. 2
Who Qualifies As Your Parent?	p. 2
How to File	p. 4
Final Steps to Getting a Green Card	p. 4
Child Immigrants
Who Can File	p. 2
Who Qualifies As a Child	p. 2
How to File	p. 4
Naturalization of an Adopted Child	p. 5
Orphan Immigrants
Who Qualifies As An Orphan Child	p. 2
Requirements for Petitioning	p. 2
Pre-Adoption Requirements	p. 2
Starting the Adoption Process	p. 3
Where to File	p. 3
After the Petition Is Approved	p. 4
Filing for a Visa	p. 4
Amerasian Immigrants
Who Qualifies As an Amerasian	p. 2
Who Can File	p. 2
Every Petitioner Must Have a Sponsor	p. 2
How to File	p. 2
Where to File	p. 4
Your Brothers and Sisters As Immigrants
Legitimate Brother and Sister	p. 2
Half-Brother and Half-Sister	p. 2
Stepbrother and Stepsister	p. 2
Adopted Brother and Adopted Sister	p. 2
Spouse and Minor Children of Your Brother or Sister	p. 3
Priority Workers
Who Qualifies	p. 2
How to File	p. 4
Spouse and Minor Children	p. 4
Professionals and Prople With Exceptional Ability
Who Is Qualified	p. 2
How to File	p. 3
Spouse and Minor Children	p. 4
Skilled and Unskilled Workers
Who Qualifies	p. 2
How to File	p. 3
Spouse and Minor Children	p. 4
Live-In Domestic Workers
Filing for a Live-In Domestic	p. 2
Step One: Getting Labor Certification	p. 4
Step Two: Advertising the Job	p. 5
Getting Labor Certification	p. 5
Filing the Petition With the INS	p. 6
Spouse and Minor Children	p. 6
Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
Who Qualifies As a Special Immigrant	p. 2
Special Rules for Religious Workers	p. 2
Applying for a Green Card	p. 3
How to File	p. 3
Nonimmigrant Visas for Religious Workers	p. 4
Entrepreneur Immigrants
Where to Invest	p. 2
How Many Employees to Hire	p. 2
Types of Investments	p. 2
Source of the Investment Money	p. 3
When the Investment Must Be Made	p. 4
How to File	p. 4
Additional Documentation Required	p. 4
Conditional Permanent Residence	p. 5
Interview by the INS	p. 5
Penalties for Investment Fraud	p. 6
Refugees and Political Asylees
Who Qualifies	p. 2
Denial of Refugee Status or Asylum	p. 2
Presidential Proclamation	p. 2
Getting Refugee Status	p. 3
Getting Political Asylum	p. 3
If Your Application Is Denied	p. 6
Adjustment of Status After Approval	p. 7
Extension of Asylee Status	p. 7
Revocation of Asylee Status	p. 7
Backlog in Asylum Cases	p. 7
Temporary Protected Status	p. 7
Grounds of Inadmissibility
Inadmissibility Defined	p. 2
The Possibility of Waiving Inadmissibility	p. 2
Reversing an Inadmissibility Finding	p. 7
New Grounds of Inadmissibility	p. 8
Veterans and Enlistees
Who Qualifies	p. 2
How to File	p. 2
Failing to Serve Six Years	p. 3
Becoming a U.S. Citizen	p. 3
Getting Amnesty
The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act	p. 2
Preparing the Application	p. 4
If You Are Not in Removal Proceedings	p. 5
If You Are in Removal Proceedings	p. 5
Registry: For Those in the U.S. Since 1972
Your Past Is Irrelevant	p. 2
Short Absences Allowed	p. 2
How to File	p. 2
Additional Documentation Required	p. 2
Approval of Registry	p. 3
Cancellation of Deportation
Cancellation of Removal Proceedings	p. 2
Who Is Not Eligible for Cancellation	p. 2
Presenting a Convincing Case	p. 3
How to File	p. 5
Approving Your Application	p. 6
Additional Forms of Cancellation of Removal	p. 6
Private Bills
What Is a Private Bill?	p. 2
How a Private Bill Is Passed	p. 2
Inside the Ins
Finding Out About Office Procedures	p. 2
Where to Go Within the INS	p. 2
Reporting Wrongdoing	p. 3
Filing an Application	p. 3
Speeding Up Processing in Emergencies	p. 5
Immigration Forms: Getting Started
Giving False Answers	p. 2
Checking for Current Forms and Fees	p. 2
Tips for Filling Out Forms	p. 2
When Additional Proof Is Required	p. 3
Submitting Photographs for Identification	p. 6
Fingerprinting Requirements	p. 7
Submitting a Copy of Each Document	p. 8
Keeping Your Own File	p. 8
Replacing Your Green Card
Replacing Your Green Card	p. 2
When the INS Takes Your Card	p. 2
How to Find and Work With a Lawyer
Where to Look for a Lawyer	p. 2
Deciding on a Particular Lawyer	p. 3
Paying the Lawyer	p. 3
Managing the Lawyer	p. 4
Firing a Lawyer	p. 4
Endnote
Responsibilities of the New Immigrant
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