Towson Green Card Attorneys

Getting a Green Card and the privileges of lawful permanent residency is a major milestone for many people entering the United States as immigrants. The path to a Green Card is different for every immigrant, and it could take shorter or longer depending on the options available to you. For more information, reach out to a Towson, MD Green Card lawyer today.

At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we represent people seeking Green Cards as well as lawful permanent residents and US citizens who want to sponsor a loved one for a visa. We have received many 5-star reviews for our supportive assistance and strong representation in immigration cases.

What Are the Benefits of Lawful Permanent Residency?

Lawful permanent residency gives a person the right to live and work in the United States on a lasting basis. Green Card holders can accept almost any job, change employers without needing new sponsorship, and start their own businesses. They can attend school, buy property, and build stable lives for their families without worrying about a visa that expires.

Permanent residents can also travel abroad and return, though long trips can create problems. An absence of more than six months may lead to questions at the border, and a trip lasting a year or more without a reentry permit can put Green Card status at risk. Lawful permanent residents may also petition for a spouse or unmarried children to join them in the U.S., and after meeting certain requirements, they can apply for citizenship.

Green Card status does come with responsibilities. Permanent residents must file federal tax returns, keep their address current with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and, for men between the ages of 18 and 25, register with the Selective Service.

Options for Family Preference and Immediate Relative Green Cards

Family-based Green Cards fall into two main groups: immediate relatives and family preference categories. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens include spouses, unmarried children below the age of 21, and parents of citizens who are at least 21 years old. No yearly cap limits the number of visas available to immediate relatives, so these cases tend to move faster. Family preference categories cover other close relationships, but they are subject to annual limits.

Applicants in preference categories must wait until a visa becomes available based on their priority date, which the U.S. Department of State tracks in its monthly Visa Bulletin. The family-based process generally involves the citizen or resident relative filing a petition, followed by either adjustment of status inside the U.S. or consular processing at an embassy abroad. The sponsoring relative must also show they can financially support the applicant.

Getting a Green Card Through an Employer

Employment-based Green Cards allow foreign workers to remain in the U.S. permanently through their skills, education, or a job offer. Most of these categories require a U.S. employer to sponsor the worker.

Workers at the top of their fields may qualify under EB-1, the highest employment-based priority. This group includes people with extraordinary ability in areas like science, business, the arts, or athletics, along with internationally recognized professors and researchers and some executives and managers transferred from a company's foreign office.

A worker who holds a master's degree or higher, or who can show exceptional ability in their field, may fit within EB-2. EB-3 is broader and covers skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, professionals holding a bachelor's degree, and other workers who fill positions requiring less training.

Many EB-2 and EB-3 cases require the employer to obtain labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This step shows that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position. Waiting times vary widely by category and by the worker's country of birth. Our attorneys can review the employer's filings and the worker's qualifications to help avoid errors that lead to delays or denials.

Overcoming Grounds of Inadmissibility for a Green Card

Grounds of inadmissibility are legal reasons the federal government can use to deny a Green Card application. Common grounds include certain criminal convictions, health-related issues, security concerns, past immigration violations, fraud or misrepresentation, and a likelihood of relying on public benefits.

Unlawful presence is one of the most common barriers. A person who stayed in the U.S. without lawful status for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year bar after leaving the country. A stay of one year or more can trigger a 10-year bar.

Waivers can forgive many grounds of inadmissibility. Some applicants can request a provisional unlawful presence waiver before leaving the U.S. for their consular interview, which reduces the time spent separated from family. Most waivers require proof that denying the Green Card would cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent. Strong hardship evidence may include medical records, financial documents, and proof of family ties. Our firm helps applicants gather this evidence and present it in a clear, organized way.

Contact Our Towson, MD Green Card Lawyers

At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we guide applicants through petitions, waivers, and status questions with careful attention to the details that can affect the outcome. Contact our Towson, Maryland Green Card attorneys or call 571-441-2233 to schedule a consultation.