If you are one of those migrants that due to personal circumstances you had to leave your beloved country to get new professional opportunities far away from your family, keep reading because this is of interest to you.
If you already have your letter of residence and you decided to emigrate, surely one of the reasons why you decided to change your country, was to to give your loved ones a more prosperous life. This puts you in a complicated situation, but also very beautiful, because you have a weight on your shoulders that goes beyond your own person, sacrificing yourself for the benefit of your loved ones.
If this is your case, you will probably constantly ask yourself the same question: how do i support the legal process of my green card? Those of us who have migrated in the past and built a life abroad know that this process is much more than a simple document.
Obtaining the residency card is to have in your hands the legal proof that assures you the right to live in a distant land, to work, and of course, to support your family from afar.
In this context, you should keep in mind that every day millions of migrants are engaged in decision making that define their lives. To give you an example, they open bank accounts, renew their driver's license, sign an employment contract, and so on. At first glance, these appear to be nothing more than everyday gestures, but in reality are acts of legal support that protect something fundamental, such as the right to stay and continue living in your new country with peace of mind.
What is a letter of residence?
This is going to sound very technical, but it is important to understand it well. The letter of residence is a a legally binding document required by the U.S. government in immigration proceedings.Also known as Green Card or lawful permanent resident card, is by definition the official physical document issued by the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), which proves your permanent resident status. This allows you to live and work legally in any type of employment and remain indefinitely in the country without fear of deportation.
Put more poetically, it is the legal heart of our life in the United States, which ensures that everything is still in place without an expired piece of paper clipping the wings of our future plans.
Its duration is usually 10 years, although in specific situations, such as residency obtained through marriage, it lasts only for a limited period of time. 2 years; i.e., if at the time of the approval of the Green Card you have been married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for less than two years.
As we say, it is not just a document or a piece of paper, is the foundation that protects your legal status, your job, your savings, your ability to enviar not only money, but presence, stability and future to your loved ones.
Why a green card is the foundation of your legal process
We can say that you are aware of the importance of this issue as soon as you face an immigration review, when renewing a document, or simply when you need to prove that your situation is legal and valid. Something you should always keep in mind is that the letter of residence is your first legal shield in the face of any disagreement.
However, if you still do not have your residency card in force, it is important for you to know that the U.S. government is going to ask you for certain guarantees because it does not want migrants to depend on federal or state assistance programs. That is why he demands something called Affidavit of Support.
This is nothing more than a legal contract where your sponsor (usually a spouse, parent or close relative) guaranteed to keep you financially not to use the country's public benefits for 10 years. This is not a suggestion, it is a legal contract.
We can say that without a Affidavit of Support valid, your process to achieve the Green Card comes to a complete standstill. In fact, your sponsor's obligation continues until one of these three events occurs:
- Until you become a U.S. citizen.
- Until you have worked and contributed at least 40 quarters (approximately 10 years of documented work).
- Until you permanently leave the country.
As you will see, it is a complicated thing to get, so keep in mind that a well-documented and filed residency letter is a proof of legitimacy that is a permanent part of your file at USCIS.
If you are ever faced with a immigration interview, a review of status, or you have legal problems, This documentation will be essential. It is your proof before the law that you are not here by chance. You are here supported, legitimized, protected.
Documents you need to have ready at all times
Your responsibility as a permanent resident is to keep up to date all documentation that proves that you are in fact residing in the United States.
The government requires you to prove your residence with documents that have your name and current address, so documents such as these will be helpful:
Documents related to the domicile:
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, internet) in your name.
- Lease contract or property deed.
- Addressed bank statements.
- Insurance policy (auto, home, medical).
Official identification:
- Current state driver's license (this is very important).
- State identification.
Tax records:
- Last 3 federal income tax returns (form 1040).
- IRS transcripts of tax payments.
- State tax returns (if applicable).
Immigration documents:
- Current Green Card (copy and original).
- Residency approval letter (I-797).
- Original Form I-864 that you used.
These well-filed and updated papers are, as we say, your legal shield. If you can't file them, you could face serious problems when it comes to renew your Green Card or green card, so take it to heart because it is not a trivial matter.
Rights and obligations
Your permanent resident status is a legal status that gives you real, concrete rights, all of which are protected by U.S. law. It is not a privilege that was suddenly given to you, it is a right that you earned. But every right implies an obligation, So in this case, we are going to explain everything you should take into account.
What are these rights?
- Right to live and workYou can reside and work anywhere in the United States without a work visa. Your talent, your effort and your work are more than legitimate there.
- Right to education and propertyYour children can access public education and you can buy property.
- Family rights: You can sponsor spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 to obtain their green card. This is very rewarding because you can open up possibilities for the future for others as others have opened up for you before.
- Access to benefits: You are entitled to Social Security, Medicare and other public benefits after a certain period of time. It is the recognition of your contribution to the state.
Obligations that support your status
- Obey the law: Obviously, every right implies a series of obligations, and that is why you have to keep in mind that any serious violation can end in the dreaded deportation. It is not drama, but it is reality.
- Tax returns: Permanent residents must file an income tax return every year. This will prove that you reside and work in the country. If you do not file for years, USCIS may interpret this as an abandonment of residency and may take away your rights.
- Not to remain out of the country for more than 12 monthsBe careful, because this is one of the most common reasons for loss of status. You can visit your family, keep those ties that sustain you emotionally, but you must plan ahead. If you need to be away for more than 12 months, you should apply for the Advance Parole before leaving to avoid problems on your return.
- Keep your documentation up to date: Remember that your Green Card expires every 10 years. You must renew it sooner. If you move, report address changes to USCIS within 10 days, failure to do so may cause problems in the future.
How to protect your green card: practical steps
As we have already pointed out, in cases such as these passive compliance with the law is not enough. You are the protagonist of your life project, so you need to be proactive so that no problem or setback catches you by surprise. That is why we are going to give you a series of recommendations that do not cost anything to do in your day to day, but that can save you from many headaches in the future.
- Create a secure archive with copies of: Current residency letter or Green Card, residency approval letter, last 3 tax returns, proof of tax payment and passport.
- Keep the original in a safe place and keep a few copies on hand, you never know when you might need them.
- Mark key dates on your calendar. For example, you can indicate the expiration date of the Green Card (it is important to renew it 6 months in advance), the deadlines for the payment of taxes, or the dates of important trips that you plan to make in the short, medium or long term.
- Consultation with professionals. If you can afford it, don't wait until you have a problem. Hire an immigration attorney, as they can review your case every 2 or 3 years and help you with everything. It is a way to invest in your own security.
- Maintain ties with the United States. Always keep your driver's license up to date, bank accounts up to date, etc.
Maintaining your letter of residence is not complicated, but you must keep it in mind in your daily routine because it is a way to protect your path. It requires attention, but all this is a gesture of responsibility, as well as sending money with Curiara to yours every month.
Because you are not just another user, you are a silent hero, and that is why tyour letter of residence is nothing more than the right that you have earned for yourself.. Now you just have to take care of the documentation, fulfill your obligations and be attentive to the present. Because your future and the future of those you support from afar depend on it.