How to get a green card / by Ilona Bray and Loida Nicolas Lewis ; updated by Ruby Lieberman.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Berkeley, Calif. :
Nolo,
2010.
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| Edition: | Ninth edition. |
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| Physical Description: | 334 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Format: | Book |
Contents:
- Your immigration companion. Types of green cards we cover ; How much you can do without a lawyer ; Using this book
- Immigration then and now. America's earliest settlers ; Early immigration restrictions ; Today's immigration laws ; Looking forward
- All the ways to get a green card. Family-based relationships ; Employment-based relationships ; Special immigrants ; Entrepreneur immigrants ; Asylum and refugee status ; Diversity visa lottery ; Amnesties
- Short-term alternatives to a green card. How do foreigners enter the United States? ; Types of visas ; Tourists who can visit without a visa ; The importance of staying legal ; How to extend a visitor visa ; Changing your reason for staying ; What to do if your application is denied ; Tips on filling out form I-539
- Will inadmissibility bar you from getting a green card? What is inadmissibility? ; The possibility of waiving inadmissibility ; Most troublesome grounds of inadmissibility ; Reversing an inadmissibility finding
- How long you'll have to wait. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens : no waiting ; Relatives in preference categories : longer waits ; Dealing with the wait ; Can you predict how long you'll wait? ; Revocation of a petition or application
- Fiancé and fiancée visas. Who qualifies for a fiancé visa ; Quick view of the fiancé visa application process ; Detailed instructions for the fiancé visa application process ; How to bring your children on a fiancé visa ; Marriage and after
- Green cards through marriage. Who qualifies ; Special rules in court proceedings ; Quick view of the marriage-based green card application process ; Detailed instructions for the marriage-based green card application process ; Bringing your children ; If your marriage is less than two years old ; If you marry again ; Common questions about marriage and immigration
- Your parents as immigrants. Who qualifies to petition for their parents ; Who qualifies as your parent ; Quick view of the application process ; Detailed instructions for the application process
- Child immigrants. Who qualifies ; Definition of "child" ; Quick view of the application process ; Detailed instructions for the application process ; Automatic citizenship for some children
- Orphan immigrants in non-Hague-convention countries. Who qualifies as an orphan child ; Who can petition for an orphan child ; Pre-adoption requirements ; Starting the adoption process ; After the petition is approved ; Filing for a visa ; Automatic citizenship for adopted orphans
- The diversity visa lottery. Who qualifies for the lottery ; How to apply for the lottery ; After you win : the green card application ; How to bring your spouse and children
- Amerasian immigrants. Who qualifies as an Amerasian ; Who can start the process ; Who will serve as a sponsor? ; How to file ; Where to file
- Your brothers and sisters as immigrants. Who counts as your brother or sister ; Quick view of the application process ; Detailed instructions for the application process ; What happens after filing form I-130
- Refugees and political asylees. Who qualifies ; Who is barred from qualifying ; How to apply for refugee status ; How to apply for political asylum ; If your asylum application is denied ; Asylees can bring overseas spouses and children to the United States ; Getting a green card after asylum approval ; Revocation of asylee status ; Temporary Protected Status (TPS) ; Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)
- Military veterans and enlistees. Who qualifies to apply for citizenship without a green card ; Who qualifies for permanent residence
- Registry : for those in the U.S. since 1972. How you got here is irrelevant ; Short absences allowed ; How to file ; Additional documentation required ; Approval of registry
- Cancellation of removal : do ten illegal years equal one green card? Applying in court proceedings ; Who qualifies for cancellation ; Who is not eligible for cancellation ; Preparing a convincing case ; How to file ; Approving your application ; Additional forms of cancellation of removal
- Adjustment of status. Who is allowed to use the adjustment of status procedure ; People who can't adjust status at all ; How to file ; After you apply ; Interview and approval
- Consular processing. How your case gets to the consulate ; Forms and documents you'll need to provide ; Attending your visa interview ; Approval of your immigrant visa ; Arriving in the United States
- Private bills. What is a private bill? ; How a private bill is passed
- Acquiring citizenship through U.S. citizen parents. Who qualifies for acquisition of citizenship ; Obtaining proof of U.S. citizenship ; Dual citizenship
- Filling out and submitting immigration applications. Don't give false answers ; Get the latest forms and fee amounts ; Tips for filling out forms ; When additional proof is required ; Submitting photographs for identification ; Fingerprinting requirements ; Keep your own file ; Tips for filing applications
- Tracking your application through the system. Understanding the USCIS culture ; Where to go ; Inquiring about delays ; Speeding up processing in emergencies ; Reporting wrongdoing
- Keeping, renewing, and replacing your green card. Renewing or replacing your green card ; When the immigration authorities can take away your card ; Planning to apply for U.S. citizenship
- How to find and work with a lawyer. Where to look for a lawyer ; Deciding on a particular lawyer ; Paying the lawyer ; Managing the lawyer ; Firing a lawyer.