“How do I get a Green Card” is one of the most common questions attorneys at our law firm receive. And while it may be a surprise to many that a Green Card (that is, permanent residency in the US) is not right for everyone nevertheless people are always keen on obtaining one, especially if they have spent a few years in the US. There are generally two paths to permanent residency—via employment or family. But those aren’t exactly the only ways, and we thought it would be interesting to explore several of the lesser-known paths to that coveted Green Card.
Read moreKey Differences between EB-1-1 Immigrant Petitions and O-1 Nonimmigrant Petitions
Jessica, a third year law student at Fordham University School of Law, is our fall associate. She is currently the Senior Notes Editor for the Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law and a student attorney at the Immigrant Rights Clinic.
We regularly work with “extraordinary” individuals. And we don’t just mean “extraordinary” in the normal sense of the word—rare, phenomenal, and special—but also the type of “extraordinary” that fits US Citizenship & Immigration Service’s (USCIS) legal standard. That’s right, we’re talking about the O-1 nonimmigrant visa classification for individuals with “extraordinary” ability or achievement and the EB-1-1 immigrant visa classification for individuals who demonstrate “extraordinary” ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim.
Read more5 Reasons Why a Green Card May Not Be Right For You
For many people, the Green Card is the ultimate symbol of accomplishment. After years of waiting through backlogs or dreaming of coming to America, the card is the proof of success. Holding the Green Card in their hands, they can breathe a sigh of relief that all their hard work paid off.
Because the Green Card is held in such high regard many clients understandably want to discuss how they can get one. But another equally important part of that conversation has to include the possible negative consequences of obtaining a Green Card. Despite the appeal of a Green Card, for some people it may not be the best choice.
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