Green gland

Green Card

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that grants the holder lawful permanent residency in the United States. The term "Green Card" comes from the color of the original card when first introduced in the 1940s.

History

The concept of a Green Card originated from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA), which established the basic structure of today's immigration law. The INA created a quota system for immigration based on national origin, and introduced the concept of permanent residency.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for a Green Card, applicants must fall into one of several categories, such as being a close family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, being an employee of a U.S. company, or being a refugee or asylee. The application process involves several steps, including filing an immigrant petition, waiting for a visa number to become available, and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Rights and Responsibilities

Green Card holders have the right to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis, and to apply for U.S. citizenship after a certain period of residency. They also have the responsibility to obey all laws of the U.S., to file income tax returns, and to maintain their immigration status.

Renewal and Loss of Status

Green Cards must be renewed every 10 years. Failure to renew a Green Card does not result in loss of status, but it can make it difficult to prove lawful status, to travel internationally, or to obtain employment. Permanent residents can lose their status if they commit certain crimes, if they abandon their residency by living outside the U.S. for too long, or if they fail to remove conditions on their residency.

See Also

• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
• Permanent residency