| Jan 24, 2022 | Empire Immigration Law Blog, Green Card
Do you have questions about what to expect when obtaining a green card? Contact our Buffalo immigration lawyer to get started on your claim.
1) Differences Between a Green Card and Naturalization
A question that comes up a lot is what is the difference between a green card and naturalization? Naturalization is the process whereby somebody becomes a U.S. citizen.
There is a big difference between being a naturalized U.S. citizen and a lawful permanent resident or a green card holder. For example, naturalized U.S. citizens are U.S. citizens for life, in most cases. It is extremely rare that citizenship can be taken away from you. Also, citizenship can be passed onto your children, in most cases. For permanent residents, permanent residency can be taken away if there are any immigration violations or any criminal violations. Also, if you spend a lot of time outside the United States, it is possible for the government to take the position that you’ve abandoned your permanent residence. If you’re a naturalized U.S. citizen, you don’t have to worry about abandoning your citizenship for spending too much time outside of the United States. If you have any questions about naturalization or green cards, please give us a call.
2) Green Card Application was Denied
We received a phone call the other day from a potential client, and they were worried about whether or not they would be approved for their green card. The question that came up was, “Why would my green card application be denied?” What we explained to them was, generally, it is your responsibility as the applicant for a green card to prove that you are eligible. In most cases, the reason USCIS would deny a green card application is because the person who applied has failed to prove that they are eligible to receive the green card.
There is no right to get your green card. You’re not entitled to get your green card. You have to prove that you are eligible. The best way to prove that you are eligible is to work with an experienced immigration attorney. If you have any questions about your green card application or any other immigration matters, please give us a call. We’d love to talk with you.
3) Waiting For a Green Card
We receive a lot of phone calls from potential clients who are ready to start the green card application process. One of the questions that always comes up is, “How long does it take for me to get my green card?” On average, it takes between one and two years to get your green card. There are a lot of factors that can affect the amount of time that it would take to get your green card.
For example, if you’re in a busier jurisdiction, it may take a little longer to get your interview. Also, if there’s any missing information in your application or any missing documents, this will also cause significant delays in your application processing.If you have any questions about the green card application process, give us a call. We would love to speak with you.
If you need to know more about obtaining a green card or have questions about what to expect when obtaining a green card, contact our experienced New York green card lawyer today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
