3 Essential Items You Should Review Before Applying for a Green Card for Your Relatives

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(Newswire.net — December 18, 2018) — A green card is basically a legal document that you get upon entrance into the U.S, this is according to nolo.com. Apart from applying for the card for yourself, you can also get one for your relatives such as parents. Having a green card is beneficial because it shows that you are in the U.S legally. You shouldn’t be in a new country without any documentation. This is a crime and you can be deported with immediate effect. Having a green card allows you to enjoy the benefits of living like a citizen of the country. You can enjoy this with your family. If you have no criminal record, you can always apply for a green card for your parents so that they can be with you when you move. Before you actually think of that idea, you need to evaluate a few elements. Some of these elements include;

1.       Criminal record

You don’t need to worry about your criminal record if it doesn’t exist. The criminal record in question is that of your parents. Have their names been mentioned in any criminal cases? If so, then it will be hard for them to gain entry to the U.S using a green card. If by any chance they have pending cases, then they will need to get a lawyer so that they clear their names. Clearing their record basically means proving that they were not guilty. If your parents have also been involved in illegal immigration crimes, then chances are that he or she might be denied the green card.

2.       Age and citizen.

The other thing you need to evaluate is your age. For you to get a green card for parents, you must be atleast 21 years old. It is a law that has been there for a while. In the U.S, the law can’t be changed to meet your needs. You need to abide by the rules and the regulations given. You aren’t above the law. In addition, you need to ensure that you are citizen of the U.S. How would you perform such a request on behalf of your parents when you know very well that you haven’t become a citizen yet? The request will be denied. You need to understand that there is a difference between a permanent residence and a citizen. You can be a permanent resident by getting a green card but you can only be a citizen by birth or naturalization.

3.       Documentation

How would you apply for a green card yet you don’t have any documents on you? You need to ensure that you have all the necessary documents that prove your parents’ identity. You can at least have a copy of his or her identification card. The card should shed light on the name and original nationality. If there is any other document needed, you need you have a copy of it. Before you go through all this trouble, you should always go to the immigration department and ask about the documents you need.