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Helping Immigrants Across the United States Secure Permanent Residency
Lawful permanent residents, often referred to as green card holders, have the legal right to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. A green card does not make someone a citizen, but it offers the stability, protection, and long-term opportunities that many immigrants and families hope for. With lawful permanent residency, you can work without restrictions, travel more freely, pursue federal financial aid at public colleges, and, if eligible, take the next step toward U.S. citizenship.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are multiple pathways for foreign nationals to obtain a green card under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The largest group consists of individuals who apply based on family reunification, followed by those already in the United States through employment-based categories, humanitarian protection, or special immigrant classifications.
At Rozas Immigration, our green card lawyers help individuals and families nationwide understand the immigration system, determine the correct path to permanent residency, and build strong, well-documented applications. We provide green card legal assistance for every major category, working to demonstrate to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that you meet the requirements for lawful permanent resident status. Our team helps you avoid delays, prevent avoidable mistakes, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Common Paths to Permanent Residency in the United States
There is no single way to obtain a green card. USCIS recognizes several official eligibility categories, and each path has its own rules, timelines, and documentation requirements. Understanding these options helps you determine which route applies to you or the person you want to sponsor.
Below is a clear overview of the most common paths to lawful permanent residency in the United States, based on the USCIS eligibility categories.
1. Family-Based Green Cards
Many applicants qualify for permanent residency through a family relationship. This includes:
- Immediate relatives: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens.
- Family preference categories: Adult children, married children, and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as certain relatives of lawful permanent residents.
Family-based immigration remains the largest green card category in the United States. Visas for immediate relatives are usually available right away, while preference categories may involve waiting for a priority date to become current.
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
These categories include workers with specialized skills, advanced degrees, or unique qualifications.
- EB-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability, professors, researchers, and multinational managers.
- EB-2 for advanced degree professionals, exceptional ability applicants, and those seeking a National Interest Waiver.
- EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
Employment-based applicants often require labor certification or employer sponsorship, but some categories, such as the National Interest Waiver, allow applicants to self-petition.
3. Special Immigrant Categories
Some individuals qualify through specific roles or circumstances. Eligible groups include religious workers, SIJS applicants, certain broadcasters, and other designated special immigrant classes.
4. Green Cards Through Investment (EB-5)
Investors who place capital in a qualifying U.S. commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs may apply for lawful permanent residency.
5. Humanitarian Categories
Certain individuals qualify for green cards based on humanitarian protections.
- Refugees and asylees: Eligible to apply one year after receiving their status.
- Victims of trafficking or crime: T and U visa holders may adjust status after meeting statutory requirements.
6. Diversity Visa Program
The DV Lottery Program offers a limited number of visas to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States.
7. Registry Eligibility
Individuals who have lived continuously in the United States since before January 1, 1972, may be eligible for a green card through the registry.
Because each category has unique rules, forms, and evidence requirements, many applicants work with a green card lawyer to determine the best path forward and avoid costly mistakes.
How to Apply for Lawful Permanent Resident Status in the United States
There are several ways to obtain an American green card, and the right process depends on where the applicant is located at the time of filing. Understanding these pathways helps you determine which option fits your situation and whether you need guidance from a green card lawyer to avoid delays or mistakes.
- If you or the person you are sponsoring is already in the United States: The applicant may be eligible to request an Adjustment of Status, which allows them to transition from a temporary visa or other qualifying status to lawful permanent residency without leaving the country.
- If you or the person you are sponsoring is living abroad: The applicant will need to use Consular Processing, which involves submitting the green card application through the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. This route is often required when an applicant is not eligible to adjust status from within the United States.
- Concurrent Filing: In certain situations, applicants may qualify for concurrent filing, which means the immigrant petition and the green card application can be submitted at the same time. This option can streamline the timeline for specific categories, but eligibility depends on the applicant’s visa classification.
Working with a green card attorney helps ensure that you choose the correct path and meet all visa requirements, no matter where the applicant is located.
Do I Need a Green Card Lawyer?
Many people ask whether they truly need a green card attorney to handle their application. The honest answer is simple. You do not want years of your life to depend on guesswork.
Applying for lawful permanent residency involves strict eligibility rules, extensive documentation, detailed forms, interviews, and long-term consequences if something goes wrong. For many families, the fear of rejection or delay is real.
Here is why working with a green card lawyer can make a meaningful difference.
- Avoiding mistakes that lead to delays: One missing document or incorrect answer can pause your case for months. A lawyer helps you avoid common errors that lead to Requests for Evidence or denials.
- Understanding which category fits your situation: Every applicant wants to know am I eligible. An attorney helps you determine the correct category, whether it is family-based, employment-based, humanitarian, or a special immigrant route.
- Clear guidance through the process: Your lawyer explains every step, from eligibility to forms to interviews. This gives you clarity and control instead of confusion or uncertainty.
- Support with complex cases: If you have immigration history issues, prior denials, traffic or criminal records, or complications with your sponsor, a US green card attorney can help you build a stronger case.
- Peace of mind: For many applicants, the most important benefit is peace of mind. If you have been searching for a green card lawyer near me, our team provides the support, reassurance, and preparation you need to feel confident about your future.
A green card application represents your stability, your family, and your future in the United States. Working with the right legal guidance helps protect what matters most.
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Why Families Across the United States Choose Rozas Law Firm
Families choose Rozas Immigration not because of flashy promises, but because they want a team that treats their future with care, precision, and respect. Immigration is personal. Your hopes, your stability, and the people you love are at the center of this process, and we honor that responsibility every day.
Here is why people from all over the country trust us with their green card applications.
- Clear and compassionate guidance. We know how confusing immigration law can feel. Our attorneys explain every step in simple terms so you understand exactly what is happening and why. You always know what comes next.
- Experience with every major green card category. Our team handles family-based, employment-based, humanitarian, and special immigrant green card cases. We help you determine your category, gather evidence, and navigate the unique requirements of your situation.
- Support through the entire process & USCIS procedures. From your first screening to the final decision, we stay with you through biometrics, interviews, documentation updates, and any challenges that arise. You are never alone at any step of your green card journey.
- A focus on people, not paperwork. Behind every application is a real person with real hopes. We approach each case with empathy, patience, and a commitment to helping you build a stable life in the United States. Your story matters here.
- Trusted by immigrants nationwide. Families across the country rely on us because they want representation that is honest, caring, and fully committed to their success.
If you are searching for a US green card lawyer free consultation, our team is ready to help you get the clarity and confidence you deserve.
What Information Does USCIS Review in a Green Card Application?
To apply for lawful permanent resident status, you must complete several critical steps and provide specific documentation. USCIS reviews your eligibility thoroughly, so understanding what they require can help you avoid delays or Requests for Evidence.
Here are the main items USCIS evaluates:
- Form Requirements: Applicants must complete the correct form for their green card category. The most common form is Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Each immigration category has unique documentation rules, and mistakes can slow your case or cause denials.
- Medical Examination and Vaccination Records: Most applicants must undergo an immigration medical examination performed by a USCIS-approved physician. You must also submit your vaccination history, which the doctor will document on the required forms.
- Affidavit of Support: Most family-based and some employment-based applicants need a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support from a financial sponsor. This proves the applicant will not become dependent on public benefits.
- Category Transfers: In some situations, an applicant already in the United States may qualify to transfer their application from one green card category to another to improve their chances of approval. A US permanent resident card attorney can explain whether a transfer is possible and how to request one correctly.
A knowledgeable green card attorney can help you complete the correct forms, gather documentation, and avoid avoidable delays in the review process.
Can I Travel Outside the United States While Waiting for My Green Card?
If you are waiting for your green card application to be approved, or if you already have lawful permanent resident status, you must have the correct documentation to leave and reenter the United States. The type of document you need depends on your current immigration status.
Applicants may need one of the following:
- Advance Parole Document
- Refugee Travel Document
- Reentry Permit
- TPS Travel Authorization
- Carrier Documentation
Traveling without the proper authorization can lead to delays, denials, or the abandonment of your application. USCIS may approve emergency travel requests in certain situations, but these are not guaranteed. A green card lawyer can help you understand which travel documents you need and plan safely based on your current status.
Contact Our Green Card Lawyers to Learn More About Permanent Residency
We help individuals and families across the United States take meaningful steps toward the American Dream. If you or someone you wish to sponsor wants to live permanently in the United States, our green card lawyers can guide you through every stage of the process with clarity and care.
At Rozas Immigration Law Firm, we provide green card legal assistance rooted in compassion, experience, and a deep understanding of the complex rules involved in applying for lawful permanent residency. We answer your questions, review your documents, and help you understand what you need for a strong application.
If you are searching for a green card lawyer near me, or if you want support from a US green card attorney, our team is ready to help you move forward with confidence.
To discuss your situation or begin your application, schedule a free consultation with our team today.
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Meet David Rozas - Your United States Immigration Attorney
Meet David, your trusted U.S. immigration attorney at Rozas Immigration, for dedicated assistance throughout your immigration process. With years of experience in U.S. immigration law, David provides personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need help with family-based petitions, employment visas, or green card applications, David’s thorough knowledge of immigration laws ensures your case is handled with care and professionalism.
Schedule a consultation below or call us at 225-341-6945 today to begin your journey with a reliable U.S. immigration attorney by your side.
