| As more and more
individuals in the United States apply to become
lawful permanent residents, or green card
holders, it is vital that each person know the
rights and responsibilities that come with
obtaining LPR status. The benefits to becoming
an LPR include:
You may live anywhere in the United
States, and you may stay there as long
as you want.
You may work at any job, for any
company, anywhere in the U.S., or you
may choose to not work at all.
An LPR may travel freely inside and
out of the United States whenever you
wish.
You may apply to become a U.S.
citizen after you have held your green
card for a certain length of time.
In many cases, your spouse and
children under the age of 21 may also be
eligible to obtain green cards as
accompanying relatives.
Although you may have a green card, you
should be very careful about certain things. The
first and foremost is international travel. Even
though you may travel freely, extended periods
of time spent outside the U.S. may indicate to
Immigration Services that you have abandoned
your green card.
If you plan on spending over six months
outside the U.S. at any given time, it is
advisable for you to apply for a re-entry
permit. This is issued to permanent residents or
conditional permanent residents who wish to
remain outside the U. S. for a prolonged period
of time, but for less than two years. A re-entry
permit usually enables a permanent resident, who
traveled abroad for a period of time of more
than one year but less than two years, to avoid
the risk of not being allowed to come back the
U.S. on the ground that the alien abandoned his
permanent residence status. A re-entry permit
can also serve as a passport for a permanent
resident who wants to travel outside the United
States, but cannot get a passport from his
country of nationality.
A permanent resident who wishes to become a
U.S. citizen must show that he is a person of
good moral character. Arrests, criminal
convictions, or engaging in certain bad acts
such as failing to pay child support or being a
habitual drunkard will prevent a person from
becoming a citizen.
All LPRs are bound by all of the laws of the
United States, the States, and localities. You
are required to file your income tax returns and
report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service and your State IRS. You are expected to
support the democratic form of government and
cannot attempt to change the government through
illegal means. If you are a male, age 18 through
25, you are required to register with the
Selective Service.
One of the most important privileges of
democracy in the United States of America is the
right to participate in choosing elected
officials through voting. As a Permanent
Resident you can only vote in local and state
elections that do not require you to be a U.S.
citizen. It is very important that you do not
vote in national, state or local elections that
require a voter to be a U.S. citizen when you
are not a U.S. citizen. There are criminal
penalties for voting when you are not a U.S.
citizen and it is a requirement for voting. You
can be removed (deported) from the U.S. if you
vote in elections limited to U.S. citizens.
Becoming a permanent resident of the United
States is a wonderful thing, however, all LPRs
should remember that they must maintain their
status at all times. Your status in the United
States is not guaranteed and certain actions may
cause you to lose your green card status or be
deported from the United States.
If you have any questions regarding permanent
residency or any other immigration topic, please
contact Kraft & Associates today.
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