Millions of people all over the world are considering immigration to the U.S.A. However, the country is only willing to receive a small fraction. Hopeful immigrants fight for every opportunity to get a chance to obtain legal status in the U.S.A. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is thinking about adopting harsher immigration laws. The United States is one of the world’s five countries, making it especially difficult to get citizenship. However, it’s still possible, and thousands of people every year immigrate to the land of the free. Knowing the basics of the U.S.A.’s immigration law can help people take the first steps toward achieving their goals.
The Path To Getting A Citizenship
The United States offers all potential immigrants several ways of becoming permanent residents.
1. Green Card
If you get a green card, you can live and work in the United States while enjoying most of the benefits of citizenship. However, unlike citizens, you don’t get the right to vote. You could also be deported if convicted of certain crimes. A Green Card is a ticket to getting citizenship in the United States. If you abide by the law, the chances of becoming a U.S. citizen are very high. Some green cards are valid for ten years. Some expire after two years and come with extra requirements.
2. Certificate Of Naturalization
Once you’ve had a green card for five years (or three if you married a U.S. citizen), you can apply for the Certificate of Naturalization. You must pass a fairly simple interview and collect the necessary documents to get a certificate. If you are law-abiding, your chances of getting a Certificate of Naturalization are very high. As soon as you get it, you can vote. People with this Certificate don’t need to worry about deportation for any crime.
3. Certificate Of Citizenship
Certificates of Citizenship are given to children under 18 born abroad whose parents are citizens of the United States. These children have a right to become U.S. citizens. However, they need to apply for the certificate.
4. Amnesty
People who come to the United States without a legal basis get a chance for amnesty. Those who get an amnesty can adjust their status and step on the legal path toward citizenship.
5. EB-5 Program
The EB-5 program allows people who invest in the U.S.A. economy to get a chance to obtain a green card and start working toward getting United States citizenship. The investment has to be formidable. There are several ways to become such an investor. Not all of them guarantee approval for the EB-5 visa.
Obtaining A Green Card
Getting a green card is not an easy task. However, once you have it, you will likely become a U.S.A. citizen in five years. Below are a few ways of obtaining a green card.
1. Family
If you have a relative who is a U.S. citizen, you can obtain a family-based visa, which can be later upgraded to a green card. It must be a close relative, such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
2. Employment
If you get an offer from a US-based company for permanent employment, the employer can sponsor a green card for you.
3. Asylum
The United States can grant asylum to people afraid of persecution and violence in their own country. A year after the asylum is granted, a person can apply for a green card. The United States immigration law is complicated. If you are planning to immigrate to the U.S.A., it’s better to consult an immigration lawyer.
