From Deseret News archives:
Green card facts
The first step to U.S. citizenship is a legal permanent residence, commonly called a green card.
Nearly every legal pathway to citizenship requires sponsorship, usually by a family member, employer, or school.
The nation of origin also plays a role as some forms of visas are rarer or unavailable in some countries.
For more information, visit: uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm
FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor family members for immigration.
However, it's a myth that marrying a U.S. citizen means an automatic green card. In every instance, an immigrant needs an adult family member as a sponsor, and proof of the relationship between the sponsor and immigrant. The sponsor must prove he or she is able to provide for the relative at 125 percent above the mandated poverty line.
DIVERSITY LOTTERY
The lottery is a random drawing for permanent immigrant visas. Canada and Mexico are among excluded nations. More than 5.9 million people applied during this year's 60-day application period for one of 50,000 visas.
ADJUSTING STATUS
If an adult has lived in the United States illegally for six months to a year and leaves the country, he or she is barred from applying to re-enter the United States for three years. Anyone who's lived here illegally longer than a year is barred for 10 years, unless that person's absence would cause an immediate relative with legal status to suffer severe hardship.
TEMPORARY VISAS
There are a variety of non-immigrant visas, including those for tourists, students and workers. The visas generally have specific requirements and time limits. They don't place a person on a path for permanent residency. However, it is possible for an employer to petition for a temporary immigrant to receive a green card under some circumstances.
SOURCE: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Justice Department
Comments
- Exhibit serves Old Masters revisions 3:21 p.m.
- Cheat Sheet: Shoveling snow 3:18 p.m.
- 50-plus crowd loves Web dating 3:18 p.m.
- Why do we hate? Academics ask 3:18 p.m.
- Palliative medicine draws doctors 3:18 p.m.
- Relationship: Thanksgiving 3:18 p.m.
- Survival strategies for 'Black Friday' 3:18 p.m.
- A garden fit for a Hobbit 3:13 p.m.
- Green Bay beats 49ers 30-24 3:00 p.m.
- Lions beat Browns 38-37 2:58 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
200 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
174 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
170 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
123 - BYU records with win
120 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
NO MASS EXPENSIVE DEPORTATION IS NEEDED? E-VERIFY IS VASTLY BECOMING THE...
I believe this, and the next few, will be among the best Y hoops years ever....
How about testing the brain power of the owners who have animals which end up...
I'm a stoked to watch RSL tear these clowns to pieces. BOOYAH!
Boozer is doing great and some people are talking about trading him. He is a...
The US may be number one in gun violence but think how much worse it would be...
"Only that Mendenhall tapped into an important component of his team for the...
I have been to a couple Utah-BYU games in Provo. Both times, I was subjected...
Are you a little confused today John? First...divorced men being compared to...
Re: Give it a rest Who do you call if you have an emergency on Sunday?


You can be the first to comment on this story.