If you want to immigrate to the U.S., having a Green Card not only opens up a path to citizenship, but it also permits you to live and work in the U.S. as a permanent resident. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, there are several categories through which individuals can obtain a Green Card. If you qualify for more than one category, it may be wise to speak to the San Antonio, Texas immigration lawyers at the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen before selecting a category. Our firm can also help you navigate the application process for the category you choose, help you prepare your documents, troubleshoot for potential issues, and help you prepare for you interview. Meeting the basic requirements for a Green Card may not always be sufficient to result in a Green Card. Contact us today to learn more about the Green Card categories available to you and your options.

Green Cards Through Marriage or Family in San Antonio

If you have married a U.S. citizen, if you are under 21 years old and are a child of a U.S. citizen, or if you are the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old, you may be entitled to a Green Card through the family category. If you are a child of a U.S. citizen and are over 21 years old, are the married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen, or are the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen, you may also qualify for a family-based Green Card. Spouses, children, and sons and daughters of permanent residents (Green Card-holders) may also qualify for a Green Card. Individuals applying for a family-based Green Card may be required to meet other criteria, such as proving that the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse can support the immigrant spouse. Additionally, the individual seeking the Green Card must generally be admissible to the U.S. Before applying for the marriage-based or family-based Green Card, individuals may want to seek the counsel of a San Antonio, Texas immigration lawyer at the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen. Our attorneys can review your situation and help you understand what documentation you’ll need to provide to meet the requirements.

Green Cards Through Employment in San Antonio

If you have special skills or abilities, or are a manager or executive, you may be entitled to receive a Green Card to work and live in the U.S. Other workers, including those who are in a line of work that requires an advanced degree, or if you are an individual with exceptional abilities in the science, arts, or business, may also qualify for a work-based Green Card. Other skilled workers or unskilled workers might also be able to qualify for an employment-based Green Card under certain circumstances. Yet, meeting the work requirements may not be sufficient to get you a Green Card. Individuals must be admissible to the U.S. and may need to provide documentation to support their ability to work in the U.S. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen is an immigration lawyer in San Antonio, Texas who may be able to assist you with your employment-based Green Card.

Green Cards Through Investment in San Antonio

Individuals and their families may be able to receive Green Cards if an individual makes a qualified investment of at least $1 million in the U.S. (or an investment of $500,000 in an employment area with high need). The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs. The investment Green Card visa can require a long and extensive process. Many individuals who qualify for an investment-based Green Card may also qualify for the Green Card for those with extraordinary abilities. Before choosing one category or the other, it may be wise to speak to the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, an immigration lawyer in San Antonio, Texas. Our attorneys can review your situation, your plans, and help you find the best option that will get you a Green Card as soon as possible.

Refugee and Asylum-Based Green Cards in San Antonio

If you are fleeing prosecution in your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or because of your political opinion, you may be entitled to receive a Green Card for refugee or asylum. The process of applying for asylum can be quite involved and you may be required to attend an interview in which an immigration officer will assess whether your claim for asylum is valid. If you think that you may qualify for a Green Card it can be helpful to have an asylum or refugee immigration lawyer review your case and assist you with the written story that must accompany your application. A lawyer can also prepare you for your interview with immigration officers. You may be required to apply for asylum within a specific period of time after arriving in the U.S. Don’t delay and run the risk of losing your opportunity to apply for an asylum or refugee-based Green Card. Contact the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, an immigration lawyer in San Antonio, Texas today.

Green Cards for Crime and Human Trafficking Victims in San Antonio

If you are a victim of human trafficking, or crime, you may be eligible to receive a Green Card for victims. Individuals may be able to receive a Green Card for helping law enforcement crack down on crime and human trafficking. However, before you work with police, it is important to protect your rights. Contact the immigration lawyers at the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen in San Antonio, Texas today. Our firm can help you understand whether you are eligible and help you put together your documentation and application to support your case.

Green Card for Abuse Victims

If you have been abused and are leaving a marriage to a U.S. citizen, are a child under 21 years of age who has been abused, or are an abused parent of a U.S. citizen, you may also qualify for a Green Card. No one should stay in a marriage just to continue to qualify for a marriage-based Green Card. The law offers provisions for abuse victims to leave these bona fide marriages and still pursue their Green Cards. Contact the Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen, San Antonio, Texas Green Card lawyers to learn more.

Get Your Green Card Today

These are just some of the Green Card categories that may be available for immigrants. There are several other categories for individuals in specialized circumstances. For example, members of the clergy, diversity visa lottery applicants, and others may also qualify for a Green Card. The Law Office of J. Joseph Cohen is a San Antonio, Texas Green Card lawyer who may be able to assist you. Contact us today to learn more.