Residency
For those who wish to become naturalized citizens of the United States, securing a green card – also known as a Permanent Resident Card – is the first step. Every year, thousands of immigrants are granted permanent lawful residency through this process, allowing them to work, live, and fully enjoy privileges.
At Luque Law Firm, our green card lawyers in Naples know first-hand how stressful the process can be. We’re committed to helping our clients navigate their way through the bureaucracy and work with them every step of the way. Here’s a quick outline of who may be eligible for permanent residency.
Eligibility
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of several categories. Each has its own set of eligibility requirements, so you must take care to choose the one that best applies to your individual situation. Generally, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file an immigrant petition on your behalf—either through a relative or employer; in certain cases, you may be able to file on your own. Our green card lawyers in Naples have a lot of experience which will prove to be invaluable when it comes to helping you navigate through your options and help move the process forward.
Green Card Through Family
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- You’re an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives include your spouse, parents, or unmarried children under the age of 21.
- Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident (under the family-based preference categories). Other relatives include unmarried and married children (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens, unmarried children (21 years of age or older) of lawful permanent residents, spouses and children (under the age of 21) of lawful permanent residents, and siblings.
- Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child
- Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
- VAWA self-petitioner – victim of battery or extreme cruelty
Green Card Through Employment
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- You’re an immigrant worker
- Physician National Interest Waiver
- Immigrant investor
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- Religious worker
- Special immigrant juvenile
- Afghanistan or Iraq national
- International broadcaster
- Employee of an international organization or a family member
- NATO-6 employee or family member
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- Refugee (admitted at least one year ago)
- Asylee (admitted at least one year ago)
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- Human trafficking victim
- Crime victim
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- VAWA self-petitioner – victim of battery or extreme cruelty
- Special immigrant juvenile
- An abused spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act
- An abused spouse or child under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)
Green Card through Other Categories
You may be eligible to apply as a:
- Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)
- Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
- Cuban Adjustment Act
- An abused spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act
- Dependent status under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)
- An abused spouse or child under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)
- Lautenberg parolee
- Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000
- American Indian born in Canada
- Person born in the United States to a foreign diplomat
- Section 13 (diplomat)
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
You may be eligible to register for a green card if you’ve resided continuously in the United States since before January 1, 1972.
Contact Our Residency Lawyer
At Luque Law Firm in Naples, our green card lawyers can review and prepare your residency application documents before representing you with USCIS. Our primary goal is to help every one of our clients obtain residency – including applicants with criminal records. Our experienced, compassionate attorney specializes in family-based petitions as well as petitions for crime victims. Call our office to learn if you’re eligible for residency.