Family Green Card
The U.S. green card immigration process is the procedure through which an individual obtains lawful permanent resident status in the United States. This status, evidenced by a green card (Permanent Resident Card), allows the holder to live and work permanently in the U.S. and provides a pathway to citizenship after a qualifying period of residence. The green card can be obtained while inside the U.S. through adjustment of status or from outside the U.S. through consular processing. Eligibility can be based on family-sponsorship, employment, humanitarian reasons, asylum or other special categories.
Relative Petitions
The U.S. relative petition involved a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident filing a petition to establish a qualifying family relationship with a non-citizen relative who wishes to immigrate to the United States permanently. This “Petition for Alien Relative” is the first step in helping the eligible relative apply for a green card (lawful permanent resident status) or immigrant visa. The petition does not grant any immigration status by itself but confirms the qualifying relationship to begin the immigration process for the relative.
Asylum
The U.S. asylum process is a legal procedure through which individuals who are already in the United States or arriving at its borders can seek protection from persecution or harm they face in their home country. Asylum is granted to those who meet the international and U.S. legal definition of a refugee—someone unable or unwilling to return home due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. It allows these individuals to remain in the U.S. legally and potentially pursue permanent residency and citizenship. The asylum process includes various background checks and interviews, and applicants need to demonstrate credible fear or past persecution to be eligible.