United States lawful permanent resident refers to a person’s immigration status: the person is authorized to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis.
Lawful Permanent Resident status is not a legal right but a privilege that can be revoked. An alien may lose his/her lawful permanent resident status even after having received a green card. He/she remains an “alien.” It is, therefore, possible for him/her to lose this status under certain circumstances.
There are several ways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident; through Family Sponsorship, Employment Immigration, as an Investor, and via the Diversity Lottery (Green Card Lottery).
Your Rights As A Permanent Resident
As a permanent resident (green card holder), you have the right to:
- Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
- Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
- Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions
Your Responsibilities as a Permanent Resident
As a permanent resident, you are:
- Required to obey all laws of the United States the states, and localities
- Required to file your income tax returns and report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities (see IRS link to the right)
- Expected to support the democratic form of government and not to change the government through illegal means
- Required, if you are a male age 18 through 25, to register with the Selective Service
Green Cards
A United States Permanent Resident Card is an identification card attesting to the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States. It is known as a Green Card because it had been green in color from 1946 until 1964, and it has reverted to that color since May 2010.
Green card also refers to an immigration process of becoming a permanent resident. The green card serves as proof that its holder, a lawful permanent resident (LPR), has been officially granted immigration benefits, which include permission to reside and take employment in the United States. The holder must maintain permanent resident status, and can be removed from the United States if certain conditions of this status are not met.
There are several ways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident. Contact the Law Office of Eric Horn, P.C. today to see if you are eligible.
