Green Card Lawyers
Green Card Lawyer in Arlington
What Types of Green Cards Are Available in the United States?
Foreign nationals who want permanent residence in the United States may be eligible to get a green card in each of the following categories:
- Green Card Through Family. Our Arlington-based team assists individuals in navigating family-based petitions, ensuring that clients understand their eligibility and the nuances involved in each category.
- Green Card Through Employment. We offer guidance on employment-based preferences to help clients secure their desired immigration status through work opportunities in the U.S.
- Green Card as a Special Immigrant. Our attorneys assess eligibility and streamline processes for those who qualify as special immigrants, thanks to humanitarian considerations or other specialized grounds.
- Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status. We are adept at conveying the specific steps required for refugees and asylees to transition to lawful permanent resident status.
- Green Card for Trafficking and Crime Victims. Our firm has compassionately helped victims of trafficking and crime secure legal residency through appropriate U.S. visa programs.
- Green Card for Victims of Abuse. We provide support to victims seeking safety and legal protection under U.S. immigration laws.
- Green Card Through Other Categories. We evaluate less commonly used paths to permanent residency and tailor strategies for unique client circumstances.
- Green Card Through Registry. Our office facilitates the application process for individuals who meet the historical residency requirement for registry.
Contact our trusted green card lawyer in Arlington at (817) 587-6452 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Getting a Green Card through Family
Most cards in the United States are obtained based on familial relationships. To get a green card through your family, you must have the following requirements:
- Be the immediate family member of a U.S. citizen (spouse, an unmarried child under 21, or a parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21).
- Be a non-immediate family member of a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident under certain family-based preference categories, including:
- Being a family member of a U.S. citizen, such as an unmarried child over 21, a married child, or a sibling of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21.
- Being a family member of a lawful permanent resident, as the spouse of a lawful permanent resident, an unmarried child under 21 of a lawful permanent resident, or an unmarried child of a lawful permanent resident who is at least 21.
- Be a fiancé of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé’s child (fiancés apply for a green card after getting married in the U.S.).
- Be the widower of a U.S. citizen.
- Be a Violence Against Women Act, victim of battery or extreme cruelty, as an abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, an abused child (under 21) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or an abused parent of a U.S. citizen.
Family-based immigration is a cornerstone of U.S. residency law, yet the process can be incredibly complex and bureaucratic. Our Arlington green card lawyers provide individualized support throughout the application, promoting transparency and understanding of family preferences and categories.
Obtaining a Green Card Through Employment
Many foreign nationals want to live and work in the United States but do not want to be subject to certain employment visa restrictions, such as the inability to change jobs or a maximum validity period. Certain non-citizens are eligible for green cards based on their employment status.
Green cards based on employment are given first, second, and third preference based on different categories. To get a green card as a first preference immigrant worker, you must:
- Have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, business, or education;
- Be an outstanding professor or researcher; or
- Be a multinational executive or manager with certain criteria.
To receive this card as a second preference immigrant worker, you must:
- Be a professional with an advanced degree;
- Have exceptional skills in the sciences, arts, or business; or
- Be seeking a national interest waiver.
To receive this card as a third-preference immigrant worker, you must:
- Be a skilled worker (your job requires at least two years of training or work experience),
- Be a professional (your job requires at least a bachelor’s degree, and you are a member of the profession), or
- Be an unskilled worker (your job requires less than two years of training or experience).
Employment-based green cards are crucial for retaining global talent wishing to contribute to the U.S. economy. Our Arlington office thoroughly prepares and processes applications, ensuring alignment with both employer and immigrant needs.
In addition to the immigrant worker’s green card, another employment-related green card is the Physician National Interest Waiver green card. Physicians who work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area may obtain this type of green card if they meet other requirements.
Finally, these documents are also available to immigrant investors who invest at least $1 million (or $500,000 in a targeted employment area) for a new business that will create jobs for at least ten full-time employees.
Our detailed awareness of investor needs allows us to competently assist clients through investor-related applications, fostering mutually beneficial business opportunities in the region.
Why Clients Choose Us
The Right Legal Team Makes All the Difference
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Client-Focused and Responsive Representation
At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, PC, we prioritize clear and consistent communication. Our attorneys are committed to promptly returning calls and emails, keeping you informed at every step of your case.
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Experienced Legal Advocacy Across Multiple Practice AreasWith 60+ years of experience, we provide top-tier representation in immigration, family law, personal injury, real estate, estate planning, and business law.
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A Dedicated Team Ready to Fight for YouWhen legal issues arise, you need a team that acts fast. Our team gets to work immediately, using our expertise to protect your best interests and pursue the best possible outcome.
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A Proven Track Record of Success
Our firm’s long history of service to Texans speaks for itself. Clients trust us for dedicated advocacy, personalized service, and strong results—time and time again.
Exploring Other Green Card Categories
Finally, green cards are also issued under various other categories:
- Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (for Liberian nationals who have been in the United States since November 20, 2014, or are the spouse, child under 21, or unmarried child over 21 of a qualifying Liberian national)
- Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (allowing a certain number of immigrant visas to be granted in a random drawing each year by the Department of State, for immigrants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States)
- Cuban Adjustment Act (for Cuban natives or citizens, or the spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen)
- Dependent Status under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (for children or spouses of a lawful permanent resident who received a green card under the Act)
- Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000 (for certain citizens of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos paroled into the United States on or before October 1, 1997)
- American Indian Born in Canada (for persons born in Canada with at least 50 percent American-Indian blood and who reside in the United States)
- Persons Born in the United States to a Foreign Diplomat (persons born in the United States to a foreign diplomat during the diplomat’s station)
- Section 13 Diplomat (for persons stationed in the United States as a diplomat and unable to return to their home country)
These varied categories reflect the complex and diverse nature of U.S. immigration law, highlighting the need for adept legal guidance. At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, our lawyers apply intricate legal knowledge to help deserving individuals achieve lawful residency, addressing unique cases with delicacy and precision.
Common Questions About Green Card Applications
How Can Hiring a Green Card Lawyer in Arlington Benefit My Case?
Hiring a local green card attorney can significantly improve the outcome of your application by ensuring compliance with state-specific laws and regulations. In Arlington, the immigration process can vary slightly due to regional legal nuances and busy courts that handle immigration cases daily. Our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of local practices and can foresee potential challenges, thereby increasing your chances of a smooth and successful application process. A dedicated legal team offers tailored strategies, keeps you informed about case progress, and works diligently to protect and represent your best interests throughout. By choosing Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, you benefit from an experienced, communicative, and client-focused approach, essential for handling the intricacies of your green card application.
What Are the Processing Times for Green Card Applications?
Processing times for green card applications vary depending on the category under which you're applying and your particular circumstances. Generally, family-based green cards can take anywhere from several months to a few years, whereas employment-based green cards may have different priority dates affecting wait times. In Arlington, local processing times can also be impacted by the volume of applications and specific demands placed on service offices. Working with an attorney who understands these dynamics aids in setting realistic expectations and helps identify opportunities to reduce delays. At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, we keep our clients updated on changes in processing timelines and offer proactive solutions as wait times evolve.
What Should I Include in My Green Card Application?
An accurate and complete application is crucial for obtaining a green card. Essential components of your application include the correct and latest forms, identity documents, valid supporting evidence related to your eligibility category, and financial support documentation. Common issues arise from incomplete paperwork or unverified copies of essential documents, resulting in possible rejections or requests for additional information that delay the process. Our Arlington green card lawyers meticulously review and prepare each application, ensuring every document is in order and strategically aligned with application guidelines. By leveraging our experience, clients minimize the likelihood of delays and maximize the success of their application.
How Can I Demonstrate Financial Stability in My Application?
Proving financial stability is often required to obtain a green card, particularly under family-based categories where sponsorship entails financial responsibility. Ways to demonstrate stability include submitting tax returns, bank statements, employment letters, and an Affidavit of Support from sponsors if applicable. Demonstrating income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is typically required. Our Arlington-based team guides clients through gathering robust financial documents to strengthen their application, ensuring compliance with financial requirements under U.S. immigration law.
What Are Some Common Reasons for Green Card Denials?
Several factors may lead to the denial of a green card application, including incomplete applications, lack of a qualifying relationship or sponsorship, inadmissibility due to past criminal convictions, or failure to comply with immigration interviews. Furthermore, insufficient documentation supporting the eligibility category may also lead to refusal. Our Arlington legal team at Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz is dedicated to identifying and mitigating these risks effectively by providing comprehensive guidance and striving to rectify any issues preemptively during the application process.
Questions About Obtaining a Green Card?
Our team of knowledgeable green card lawyers at Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, PC has years of experience helping our clients obtain green cards. Read more about Green Cards here.
Contact us at (817) 587-6452 to discuss how our trusted green card lawyer in Arlington can support you. Don't face green card concerns alone. Schedule your initial consultation today!