Our Boston green card immigration lawyers have experience in assisting clients to obtain an immigrant visa or US residency / Green Card, which permits individuals to reside permanently in the United States. US Legal Permanent Residency or a “Green Card” is generally available for certain family members of US citizens and US residents via a family-based green card petition [1], specifically for: spouses, children, step-children, parents and brothers/sisters of US citizens; spouses and children of U.S. residents or green card holders; as well as for those being sponsored by an employer through an employment based green card/residency petition [2].
- Employment US Residency (Green Card) [2]
- Marriage US Green Card/Residency [3]
- Family US Green Card/Residency [1]
Click here [4] to read information on US non-immigrant visas [4], or those for foreigners coming to live and work in the U.S. on a temporary basis for a specific period of time or purpose.
At FitzGerald & Company, LLC, our green card attorneys work together with you and your family members or employer to identify and minimize potential issues and resolve them before applying for any petition, so that when your case is filed with USCIS, it is in the best shape to obtain approval. This will also help make the process more efficient and smoother for a less stressful experience.
Speak with an immigration attorney today about your options for obtaining lawful permanent residence in the United States
If you or a loved one wishes to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or if you are facing a situation that could put your permanent resident status at risk, acting quickly is essential. Our legal team can evaluate your case, help you understand your best options, and assist you in protecting your immigration status.
📞 Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced immigration attorneys [5] and receive clear guidance on your legal options at 617-712-2228 (ext. 0).
📝 You may also complete our online contact form [6], and a member of our team will contact you promptly to schedule a confidential consultation.
Don’t leave your immigration future to chance. Contact us today and get the legal guidance you need.
If I Have Been in the U.S. for a Long Time, Can I Obtain a Green Card or Legal Permanent Residency?
This is possible if you qualify for cancellation of removal under immigration law. This option is available to non-residents who are in removal proceedings before an immigration judge, if the non-resident has been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years, has demonstrated good moral character, and can establish that their removal would subject a qualifying relative who is a lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen to exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. Upon reviewing the evidence, the immigration judge may cancel the removal proceedings and grant the foreign national permanent residency.
Lawful permanent residents who have been convicted of certain types of crimes, and are therefore placed in removal proceedings from the United States, may also be eligible for cancellation of removal if they have been continuously present in the United States as legal residents for 7 years and were not arrested and convicted of a crime during the first 5 years of their residency. See information on eligibility, process, and required documentation in the cancellation of removal [7] section of our website.
Can US Residency Be Lost?
Legal permanent residency in the United States, commonly known as the “Green Card,” can be lost for various reasons established by immigration law. Understanding these reasons is crucial to protecting your immigration status and avoiding serious legal consequences.
One of the most frequent reasons is remaining outside the United States for extended periods, especially when the absence exceeds 180 consecutive days, which can be interpreted as abandonment of residency.
Another common reason U.S. residency can be lost is being convicted of certain crimes [8], particularly those considered serious or related to fraud, drugs, or violence. Similarly, providing false, incomplete, or misleading information on immigration applications or to immigration authorities can result in the loss of permanent residency.
In the case of conditional permanent residents, there is also the risk of losing the Green Card if the application to remove the conditions is not filed on time, if the requirements of the conditional status are not met, or if specific immigration rules and regulations are violated.
Knowing these situations and taking preventive measures is key to maintaining permanent residency and avoiding deportation or future inadmissibility.
Other Immigration Legal Services Our Attorneys Provide Include:
- Asylum [9]
- Cancellation of removal [7]
- Deportation defense [10]
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) [11]
- I-601A and I-601 waivers [12]
- Same sex marriage green cards [13]
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status) [14]
- Law suits against the USCIS or writs of mandamus [15]
- Immigration complications due to criminal charges or convictions [8]