Green Cards

Merrillville Green Card Attorney

Ngozi Emeka Nchekwube understands the dreams and challenges associated with obtaining a green card. This vital document opens the door to a brighter future in the United States. With over 30 years of immigration law experience, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your green card application process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

What Is a Green Card?

A green card, formally called a Permanent Resident Card, allows individuals to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. Holding a green card means you are recognized as a lawful permanent resident (LPR), giving you a pathway to build a life and secure opportunities for you and your family.

Key Benefits of a Green Card:

• Permanent Residency: Green card holders can live and work in the U.S. without worrying about visa restrictions.
• Lawful Employment: It allows you to work for nearly any employer in the United States.
• Eligibility for Citizenship: Green card holders who meet specific residency and eligibility requirements may apply for U.S. citizenship.
• Freedom of Travel: Green card holders can travel in and out of the U.S. with fewer restrictions than visa holders.
• Access to Benefits: Permanent residents may qualify for certain public benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare, after enough work history.

Common Types of Green Cards

There are multiple ways to secure a green card, each offering a unique pathway to permanent residency. The most common include:

• Family-Based Green Cards: These are available to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or green card holders, such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21. Family reunifications are a top priority in U.S. immigration processes.
• Employment-Based Green Cards: These are offered to skilled workers, professionals, and individuals with exceptional abilities. They include categories such as EB-1 (priority workers) and EB-2 (advanced degrees or exceptional ability).
• Diversity Lottery Green Cards: This program grants green cards to individuals from nations with historically low immigration rates to the United States, promoting greater diversity in the country’s immigrant population. It is a lottery system that grants a limited number of visas annually.

The Green Card Application Process

The process of applying for a green card entails several steps, each demanding careful attention to detail and meticulous preparation. Here’s an overview of the basic process:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You must be physically in the U.S. You entered the U.S. legally (with a visa or parole). You have an immediate relative who is a: U.S. citizen spouse, U.S. citizen parent (if you’re under 21 and unmarried) or a U.S. citizen child (if you’re over 21). Other family categories (like green card holders) may apply but must wait for a visa to be available.

Step 2: File Immigrant Petition (Form I-130)

Your U.S. citizen or green card holding relative files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)

Step 3: Wait for I-130 Approval (or File Concurrently)

If you’re an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you can file Form I-485 together with Form I-130. If not, wait until the I-130 is approved and your priority date is current.

Step 4: File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

Fill out Form I-485 to apply for your green card. Include proof of your legal entry into the U.S. Submit documents to prove your family relationship. Include a financial support form from your sponsor. Get a medical exam from a USCIS-approved doctor.

Step 5: Attend Biometrics Appointment

After filing, USCIS will send you a notice for fingerprinting. Go to your local USCIS office on the scheduled date. They’ll take your fingerprints, photo, and signature for background checks. Bring your appointment notice and a valid photo ID.

Step 6: Go to Green Card Interview

USCIS will schedule an interview at your local office. A USCIS officer will ask about your background and your relationship.

Step 7: Receive Decision

If approved, green card arrives by mail. If additional evidence is needed, USCIS will send an RFE (Request for Evidence). If denied, you may explore appeal options.

Why Work with Ngozi Emeka Nchekwube?

The green card process can be challenging. Mistakes in filling out forms, missing documentation, or misunderstanding legal requirements can cause costly delays or denials. That’s where we come in. With decades of experience in immigration law, Ngozi Emeka Nchekwube offers personalized, professional assistance to help you:

• Understand your eligibility and options.
• Accurately complete and file all required paperwork.
• Prepare for interviews and confidently present your case.
• Solve issues related to inadmissibility or prior immigration violations.

Our empathetic, knowledgeable team will walk you through each step with care so you never feel overwhelmed or alone.

Start Your Green Card Journey Today

Your path to permanent residency begins with trusted guidance. Contact Ngozi Emeka Nchekwube today for personalized legal support tailored to your unique situation. Together, we’ll turn the challenges of immigration into the opportunities you’ve been striving for.