Green Cards | Political Asylum | Deportation | Citizenship
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Green Cards
There are several types of green cards , which allow people to
come into the United States to live permanently, mostly for people
sponsored by their companies, people who are related to someone
in the United States, or for those seeking political asylum.
Political Asylum
INS grants aliens political asylum in the United States based
upon a well-founded fear of persecution in ones home country due
to ones race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership
in a particular social group. The fact that one is suffering economically
is not considered a reason for asylum. A person must request political
asylum within one year of arriving in the United States, unless
exceptional circumstances can be shown. The asylum officer or Immigration
Judge will determine if the applicant's subjective fear of returning
to his or her home country is supported by objective evidence and
whether the applicant is credible. If political asylum is granted,
the applicant is allowed to remain in the United States and eventually
obtain permanent residence.
Deportation
The formal removal of an alien from the United States when the
alien has been found removable for violating the immigration laws.
Deportation is ordered by an immigration judge without any punishment
being imposed or contemplated. After April 1, 1997, aliens in and
admitted to the United States may be subject to removal based on
deportability.
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Citizenship
In order to become a U.S.
citizen , you must:
- Have been admitted to lawful permanent residence for
five years (three years if Green Card obtained through marriage to U.S.
citizen)
- Be 18 years old
- Maintain continuous residence for five years
(three years if Green Card obtained through marriage to U.S.
citizen)
- Be
physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the five years
(or half of the three years if you obtained a Green Card through
a U.S. citizen spouse)
- Be a person of good moral character for the five years
(or three years if the alien obtained a Green Card through
a U.S. citizen spouse)
- Demonstrate an elementary level of English
(reading, writing, understanding)
- Have knowledge
and understanding of the fundamentals of history and government
of the U.S.
Special exceptions to some of the general requirements
are available for the disabled, members of the military,
veterans, spouses married to U.S. citizens living overseas,
and Legal Permanent Residents who work for certain organizations
that promote U.S. interests abroad. Similarly exemptions
from the English language requirements are available for
those over 55 years who and have lived in the United States
as a Legal Permanent Resident for 15 years, or are over
50 years old and have lived in the United States as a Legal
Permanent Resident for 20 years.
