We Proudly Serve Clients to Help Them Pursue Their Immigration Goals and Achieve Lawful Permanent Resident Status

Many immigrants come to the United States of America, hoping to start a new life for themselves and their family members, and they aspire to one day obtain U.S. citizenship, which would then grant them all the rights and protections afforded to other citizens. Before submitting a naturalization application, however, many steps in a complex legal process must be completed, and the immigrant must obtain legal immigration status in the country. Provided the hopeful immigrant meets the various eligibility requirements, they may be able to apply for lawful permanent residence (which would make them a green card holder), granting them the legal ability to reside, work, and travel anywhere within the United States of America. Even for those who do not necessarily hope to obtain U.S. citizenship, many of their immigration needs require obtaining a green card if they wish to lawfully remain in the country.

At our Fort Lauderdale office, we understand the complex legal aspects and the profoundly personal goals associated with lawful permanent residency and other immigration matters. Led by experienced immigration lawyer George Reres, our legal team is proud to assist you throughout your immigration journey, helping you obtain and maintain your legal permanent residency.

Our South Florida law office represents clients with compassion, transparent communication, and a steadfast commitment to addressing their questions and concerns regarding immigration issues. In addition to serving Fort Lauderdale, our experienced team also represents clients throughout Broward County, Miami-Dade, Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines, West Palm Beach, and Coral Springs, FL. To discuss your immigration goals with an experienced attorney, please get in touch with our law firm to schedule your free initial consultation today.

What Are the Benefits of Lawful Permanent Residency in the United States?

 Obtaining lawful permanent residency in the United States affords immigrants significant benefits, including work authorization, the ability to live anywhere within the nation, and more. Being a green card holder offers immigrants protection, allowing them to pursue their American dream with added stability.

Among the many benefits of being a green card holder in Fort Lauderdale, FL, are the following:

• The right to legally reside anywhere within the U.S. Though a green card may need to be renewed, so long as the legal process is carefully followed, the resident can remain in the United States permanently
• Work permits, allowing residents to pursue professional and career ambitions of their choosing 
• Nationwide travel, which grants green card holders the right to travel freely throughout the country and leave the United States without the necessity for a visa
• In certain circumstances, green card holders may be able to apply for government benefits, such as Social Security, healthcare, and more
• Once an immigrant has obtained a green card, they may be able to sponsor specific family members to come to the United States and become green card holders themselves
• And potentially other benefits as well

What Are the Different Immigration Options for Foreign Nationals Hoping to Receive Green Cards?

In America, there are many different means for immigrants to obtain lawful permanent residency status. If you are hoping to become a green card holder in South Florida, contact an experienced immigration lawyer in Fort Lauderdale at our law firm to discuss your individual circumstances.

Examples of ways to apply for green cards include the following:

Family-Based Immigration

Family immigration is among the most common ways to immigrate to the United States legally. There are many different types of family-based immigration methods, and it is often necessary to retain the legal representation of an experienced immigration attorney for assistance.

Immediate relatives of United States citizens may be eligible to become permanent residents through the most straightforward family immigration option. Under United States immigration and nationality laws, immediate relatives include foreign spouses, parents, and unmarried children under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen.

Relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may also be able to apply for family-based immigration visas through specific preference categories. The first preference category is reserved for the unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens. Second-preference immigrant visas are for the spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Third-preference visas are for the married children of U.S. citizens and their spouses and unmarried children. The fourth preference category is for siblings of United States citizens, provided the citizen petitioner is at least 21 years of age.

Other family immigration options include fiancé and spousal visas. To learn more, contact our Fort Lauderdale immigration law firm today.

Employment-Based Immigration

There are various pathways to legal employment in the United States, including both immigrant and non-immigrant options. Our experienced immigration attorney is well-versed in employment-based options for immigrants hoping to become legal permanent residents.

Possibilities for employment immigration include the following:

• EB-1 visas for foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities, as well as college professors and skilled researchers
• EB-1(C) visas, which are for multinational executives and managers
• EB-2 professional visas, which are for highly skilled professionals with advanced degrees, and those with exceptional abilities, who could benefit the United States
• EB-4 immigrant visas for specific categories of immigrant workers
• EB-5 investor visas for foreign nationals who plan to make significant investments in the United States job market and economy

There may be other employment-based immigration options as well. To discuss your immigration case, please contact our office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Asylum Seekers

Asylees and refugees come to the United States seeking safety for a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, skin color, religious beliefs, political opinions, nationality, or membership in a specific social group.

If you have been granted asylum status in the United States, you may be able to apply for a green card after a year of lawful permanent residency within the country.

Victims of Qualifying Crimes, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking

Victims of human trafficking and those who have been victimized by qualifying criminal offenses who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement investigations may be able to seek lawful permanent residency in the country.

Additionally, victims of domestic violence and abuse at the hands of a United States citizen or green card holder may be able to self-petition for a green card in a VAWA case.

Special Immigrant Visa Categories

Special immigrant visas are available to individuals who meet specific qualifying criteria.

For example, you may be eligible to apply for a green card if you are a member of a religious organization with the intention of working for a United States nonprofit religious group, have served as an Iraqi or Afghan translator for the United States government, are employed by the U.S. government overseas, or have served in specific international organizations, including NATO.

There may be other qualifying applicants for green cards as well, such as through the Department of State’s diversity immigrant visa lottery program, foreign diplomats stationed in the United States who are unable to return to their home countries, and more.

Who Can Act as the Sponsor in the Green Card Process?

The eligibility criteria for a successful green card application will vary depending on the type of immigration process you are navigating.

In family-based immigration cases, the initial application is submitted by a family member who intends to act as your sponsor. Depending on your circumstances, the petitioner could either be a citizen or a green card holder.

In many employment-based immigration matters, the petition is submitted by a U.S. employer, who seeks the appropriate labor certification from the Department of Labor.

To learn about these and other eligibility requirements, contact our Fort Lauderdale immigration attorney to discuss your options and whether you are eligible to apply.

What is an Adjustment of Status?

The adjustment of status process involves immigrants applying for lawful permanent resident status while already present in the United States. A successful adjustment of status means that the immigrant can obtain a green card without the necessity of returning to their foreign country of origin to complete visa processing.

There are several steps in the adjustment of status legal process, including numerous forms that must be filed, visa availability backlogs, necessary evidence, and required documentation that must be submitted, as well as potentially an interview with USCIS officials. Once the government renders a decision on your application, it will deliver a notice. If the adjustment of status application is approved, you will receive a green card.

Contact Our South Florida Immigration Law Firm to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fort Lauderdale Green Card Lawyer 

Our legal team offers compassionate immigration services to clients navigating the green card application process in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We can assist you in preparing for the English and civics tests, help you provide evidence of good moral character for immigration eligibility, and offer committed legal counsel throughout every step of the process. We believe in keeping our clients informed about their immigration issues through regular communication and unwavering honesty. 

To learn more about how our Fort Lauderdale immigration lawyer can assist you in these legal matters, please contact our law firm to schedule your free consultation today. You can reach us at (954) 874-8806.